Ok so I don't know why something so simple should be so complicated.

I flew on Friday evening on JetStar from Singapore to Bangkok where I was connecting 2 hours later to Phuket on Thai ariways.

I have hand luggage only and have been through Bangkok enough times to know that this connection time is resonable (actually it is more than resonable and I was looking forward to having some food before the flight to Phuket!)

So I get off the plane and immeditally see a large Thai Airways sign saying this way for domestic in transit to Phuket! Great just what I want. I walk the entire length of Suvarnabhumi to the Domestic in-transit checkin desk (that was a long walk, but ok, no queue, so quick checkin and then relax and have food).

Now the problem. JetStar do not have an agreement with Thai airways and so you cannot use the in-transit checkin desk, you have to go through immergration and then checkin on the 4th floor. The point of this is what exactly and why is there no information on it anyway until you get to the desk? Jetstar did not inform me about connections on Thai airways, Thai airways does not inform you if you are a connecting passenger from Jetstar and Suvarnabhumi do not have a clear message saying connections providing you have arrived on XYZ airways.....

So walk back a bit and through immergration (no queue) up to 4th floor where everyone is standing around because the computers are down. No problem sir will be 10 mins and can check you in. I had to wait until 10 mins before boarding and they wrote me a ticket and told me to run! The computer were down at the in-transit checkin over an hour ago why not write me a ticket there.

TIT - when a simple transit can get completly screwed up.

I expected a problem of course, so you stand and smile and think next time I will fly direct to Phuket the next monring when I can get a seat rather than connecting to get there the night before.

All the low cost carriers make clear they are 'point-to-point' airlines, they don't get involved in transfers etc. And don't underestimate the degree to which major airlines like to screw around with those who travel with 'the enemy'. Witness the LCCT at Kuala Lumpur for a classic example...

All the low cost carriers make clear they are 'point-to-point' airlines, they don't get involved in transfers etc. And don't underestimate the degree to which major airlines like to screw around with those who travel with 'the enemy'. Witness the LCCT at Kuala Lumpur for a classic example...

But if you are already there what difference does it make if you checkin in-transit or on the 4th floor? It really is Thai airways being stupid. They have a transfer desk and I was a transfer, only some stupid logic they have you go out and come in as normal not in-transit. They don't even make an execption when they know the depature hall upstairs is full and not moving because the computers are down..... If you are an in-transit passenger then you should use the in-transit checkin regardless of what airline you arrived on, this is how it works everywhere else I have transited...If the airlines have an agreement I would checkin and get the boarding pass for the 2nd flight at the original airport. So the point of the transfer desk is actually nothing for an intransit passenger! So annoying just thinking about this dumb logic.....

It is the immigration.

TG does not know that you are coming from overseas.

It is the immigration.

TG does not know that you are coming from overseas.

They do know I am coming from overseas as I am in the international terminal standing in front of the domestic checkin desk....!

If I come from Singapore on SIA I can use in-transit check and clear immergration in Phuket. If I come from Singapore on JetStar I have to clear in Bangkok and checkin land side. Its not immergration it is TG not having some agreement with Jetstar and there being no notification on either ticket, website or sign in the airport saying anything until you get to the desk and waste time. It is a pointless walking around procedure.

Whether they know or not know is not the point. The point is that regular scheduled carriers do not have interline agreements with low cost carriers. It's the low cost carriers who do not want these agreements which cover baggage, transit, ticketing, etc. Sure Thai has a desk as do many other carriers for those coming from regular scheduled airlines, but on the other hand the low cost carriers do not have a desk for those coming off scheduled carriers either and you have to go outside and check in again.

It's all to do with costs. Convenient no, I agree. Best to stick with scheduled carriers when transiting anywhere.