Q : IAH terminal info? How much of a sh*tshow should I expect?

I have a flight on Friday to Europe (teacher vacay here I come), but the first leg is on Air Canada with a layover in Montreal. I believe it flies out of Terminal A. I haven't heard of major issues with this terminal but I haven't read all of the airport postings here.

If I have a good friend drop us off, how bad are the issues and how nice of a souvenir will I need to buy to make up for it? 🙂