If you can check in online try and do so - it helps avoid the massive queues and you can just go to the short (or non existent) queue to drop your bags and pick up your boarding card.
I flew back here a couple of weeks ago from Brum. Make sure you allow plenty of time to get through Security though - it took 30 minutes to wind my way through the queue. Also, keep your eye on the departure boards - my Monarch flight went from being delayed for 15 minutes and to wait in lounge to "Final Call Gate 55" caught lots of people out especially as we ended up taking off early!