Flying from STN you have to pass the ticket counters and check in area to get to security so it's not taking you out of your way - just give yourself plenty of time.

I've only travelled with one person doing this and it wasn't at STN, but they had to go to the service desk to have their boarding pass validated.

Flying to STN - you'll have to say where you're flying from as it'll depend on the layout of that airport.