Here is an unusual and annoying experience, just sharing it for the members' thought.

Took SQ 403 from Delhi to Singapore with two checked in suitcases, and the flight landed at Changi early next morning as usual. As a frequent flyer of SIA and resident of Singapore, I have landed numerous times at Changi, and did not think much of where to collect luggage etc. (believing I will find my flight once I reach the belt area). I followed the usual signs to arrival area and walked (did not take any light train that ply around) to clear immigration. As I approached the belts, could not find my flight. Asked a staff, who said the belt for my luggage is at terminal 3.

When I asked her where am I, the response was I am at terminal 1. The result was, I had to take the landside sky train to terminal 3, go to the arrival area, get a re-entry permit against my boarding pass, had to go through one round of thorough frisking, then to the lost and found counter inside the secured area, who eventually pointed me to the belt to collect my luggage. The process wasted almost an hour.

During numerous landings at Changi, this has never happened to me. I sent an angry email to SIA with flight number and date, against which they said the flight landed at terminal 3, gate B2. Assuming they are telling the truth, I cannot fault them, but that raises a puzzling question of can I really clear immigration at terminal 1 when my flight did land at terminal 3?

My instinct, after landing anywhere is to just follow the signage to arrival/immigration area, operating under the assumption it will take me to the correct counter. But if terminals are all connected on the airside (without any manual checkpoint) then obviously many people may end up at the wrong terminal. Slightly annoyed at myself for having this experience at my home airport, but wondering whether anyone else faced it.

Not to self-from next time, check the correct terminal and belt number before exiting the aircraft.