OK, a few rambling airport experiences from me:
Several years ago, before Heraklion aiport was extended, I can remember the check-in queues snaking right across the grass (well I think it was grass) in front of the terminal building, with everyone stood in the hot sun wearing their clothes ready for arriving back home. Also, I can remember waiting an hour and a half for the luggage on arrival.
More recently I thought it was a lot better. I don't remember any great problems checking in for my flight in June, which left about 12.30 a.m. What I can remember is that I went upstairs and sat in the bar. Up there you can't hear the announcements, but I heard from somebody else that the plane was boarding as we were going to leave early. I think I was the last person to get on the bus and it sounded as though some people had been stood on it for ages.
That way to do it is to fly back from a small Greek airport. Last month I flew back from Mykonos, via Athens, to Manchester. Walked straight up to the check in counter as there was no queue. Luggage was checked through to Manchester and I was given both boarding cards. Then took my case to the scanner where there was again no queue. Bought a snack, sat outside to eat it. When I felt like it I went through security - again no queue. Unfortunately I had a 5-hour wait at Athens, but as I had no luggage to worry about and didn't have to check-in again, I took a trip on the new Metro into Athens centre, returning to the airport about an hour before the flight was due to leave. Arrving back at Manchester, there was the longest queue for immigration control that I have ever seen. We were in a big crowd for ages before we joined the queue that went backwards and forwards between the tapes - the bonus, I suppose, was that we didn't have to wait for the luggage - it was all coming round the carousel when we got there.
On that same trip, flying out in August to Paros (via Athens) was a bit more of a problem. After going through security at Athens to board the flight to Paros you are in a small area with no toilets and nowhere to buy anything to drink (and remember you can't take any bottles through security). Then we found there was a delay. So anyone who wanted to use the facilities had to go out through security and back in through the security procedures again, although admittedly there was no queue. Getting off the plane at Paros is like a dream - short walk to the terminal building, luggage comes along a set of rollers (no carousel), all in about 10 minutes.
Can anyone tell me why, when everyone is sat at the gate, as soon as the flight is announced everyone forms a very long queue? I can never see the point of joining the queue as you have a seat allocated, and I would rather be the last on the plane than be the first and then have to sit and wait longer.
Greecemad