Connecting from an Alaska flight, you can walk through the airside terminal connector tunnels and not have to re-clear security. Also, many international airlines have their staff work the check-in counter and then go work the flight at the gate, so waiting until someone shows up at the gate can potentially cut it close with the check-in cut off time. I was curious if check-in could be done at the lounge, or if SQ has a transfer desk in the international terminal.