Why don't you try checking in online and using United.com BagCheck and skip all the lines? You can check in online and just bring your bags to United.com BagCheck locations in the terminal and just be done with it.

More information on checking bags and checking in online can be found here:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0...#37;2FBagCheck

You can even check in now and not worry about it at the airport. EasyCheck-in Online is available starting 24 hours before your flight and is available on outbound international flights as well.