edilocal seems to be the only one who has picked up on the precise meaning and implications of "check-in" for the EU regs.
I only raised the issue of compensation being payable on delay/cancellation to point out how ridiculous the term "check-in" has become.
EU legislation has enshrined the term, but it was clearly aimed at a time when check-in meant check-in at the airport. Let's face it, there is, in pragmatic terms with so many carriers, no longer a meaningful check-in, its just a ticket/boarding card print at passengers expense.