Wow Rita, what a tale of woe.

I flew from there on the same DL flight the end of November. What Rita mentions is pretty much the process, but I didn't find it nearly as much of a hassle. We got there about 3 hours before the departure time and it was too long.

If you don't have status, Rita is right, the coach checkin line is long. If you have status or are in C/F so can use the premium checkin, it's no big deal.

The pre-check by somebody at the entry to the line is becoming common in a lot of non-US airports. Same thing happened recently in EDI and LHR. It's a preliminary passport and itinerary check, and ensuring you're in the right line.

After you clear security, if you get to the gate itself early, it may seem like it's just a regular US-type gate with no extra security. Don't get too comfortable - about 1 hour before flight time, extra security staff will get there, clear the entire gate area, and then have you line up to be re-checked, for the US-specific extra security. Yes, they check all your carryon and wand you.

Note that you cannot bring any liquids into the gate area to drink once they start this process. So if you get thirsty you have to exit the gate and be rescreened (just the extra gate rescreening).

Nobody ever checked that we had paid the departure tax - no one looked at the receipt at AR exit immigration, at security, nor at boarding. Looked like honor system but you'd better do it.

Typical overseas check-in process AFAIC. Not really any more hassle than FRA or LHR IMHO.