Don't forget, you have to check-in AND be at the gate in excess of the times reccommended by the airline to qualify for the compensation.

These times are often rediculous (Intercontinental 3hrs, some budget carriers 2hrs) And gate times too (30min for some 20min for others) - though how a gate time could be accuratly measured unless there is an early boarding, i don't know.

I was worried once at LBA because the check-in staff were taking an age to process people and I had still not checked the bags 15min before the advertised boarding time.

Apparantly, the compensation regulations do not protect you from queues at check-in or security.