Arrived at SHJ via RTA Bus 306 from al-Ghaibab Station in Dubai, changing to taxi at al-Shareef Mall in Sharjah. Total cost was 5 dhms each for bus and 35 dhms for taxi. At AirArabia check-in, we were asked for our Saudi visas and we explained we were only transiting and showed them the Saudi Embassy page which explained the <18 hour transit visa exemption. Since they are a point-to-point LCC, this was not something familiar to them so we had to push to get them to proceed with checking us in. After a while and some help from other staff, they were able to check us in and advised us NOT to check our backpacks and instead carry them on. They were tagged as carry-ons and we were told to get duty free bags for our >100ml liquids so we could try to get them through Security. This in fact worked and we were able to get our large and small packs through Security. We waited in a windowless, bathroom-less SHJ Gate 4 and then the flight was delayed one hour due to fog at DMM.

Eventually we made it about 90 mins late and we arrived at Gate 25 or thereabouts. Upon deplaning, there were the usual signs to Immigration, Transit and Connecting flights. We followed the signs and ended up in the Passport Control hall. There was an unoccupied Transit Desk along one wall, with an up escalator behind. Once the lines for Immigration started to recede, we asked an officer about the Transit Desk. He told us to stay against a wall near some seats and someone would come. Eventually, a gentlemen came and found us, he knew we'd come in from SHJ so AirArabia must have transmitted some details of our connection along with the flight's paperwork. He had us fill out a form with our details then he escorted us to a small Customs area behind the Transfer Desk. The Customs guy looked in our bags a bit and asked about alcohol, etc., it was very low key. Then we passed inspection and our escort took us up the escalator to a security checkpoint. We went through normal Security and then our escort even tried to get us into the RJ contract lounge, but since we didn't have J boarding passes, we weren't allowed in. It was worth a try, seemed like a nice lounge.

Since the RJ check-in desk wouldn't open for another 4+ hours, our escort left us in a common area between concourses and told us he'd come back after they open and take our passports. Sure enough, a few hours later he appeared, took our passports and came back maybe 30 minutes later with our RJ boarding passes and we went to Gate 19 to wait. During our time waiting around, we were able to connect for free to the wi-fi from the Biz Class Lounge, so that helped pass the time. Not a great connection, but it worked.

So all in all, a positive albeit boring experience for two Americans transiting Saudi Arabia without visas! Thanks DMM transfer guy!