Originally Posted by
IAN-UK
In theory airside two-ticket, no bags transfers within T1 should be possible - the normal transfer route (usually SV to SV) is well trod. There's certainly an SV transfer desk that can handle printing boarding cards - but I don't know if there is a similar facility for other carriers. Online check-in is unlikely to be successful.
The landside transfer from the Haj terminal would be a bit of a hike, so you ere fortunate to get an airside bus to handle it. Not many carriers use it on a regular basis: PIA is the only one I can think of. North terminal to the Haj one is interesting - you've got a fine mix of airlines!!
Lord knows how they managed to retrieve and re-tag your bags. I think I'd have wanted to go landside to take care of that.
"unorthodox" transfers such as yours are probably quire rare, but not unknown. Still, it's not easy to believe there is an established protocol fo deal with them. My guess is they accommodated you as best they could, and you might face the same huddle and conference before a solution is found on your return.
I'm still puzzled about the reason behind arranging the airside bus. There's a possibility that I was granted a privilege since I arrived at the Hajj terminal with an SV ticket operated by GA as a J passenger. My next flight was an award flight on SV from T1 on a separate ticket. However, there were no SV staff members at TH. Instead, it appeared to be regular airport staff who managed the incoming GA flight.
Regarding to re-tagging my bags, the situation is quite amusing. They didn't properly check them in, so I ended up boarding the next SV flight with all three suitcases without encountering any problems. Fortunately, my checked luggage happened to be the size of a small carry-on, which worked out well.
Upon my return, I'll be flying in on W6 at TN and departing on the same SV flight operated by GA from TH. Interestingly, it seems that TN is closer to TH than TH or TN is to T1 but not walkable. Totally different situation in terms of carriers, regardless of the outcome, if I need to purchase a VOA, I'm happy to do so, although I'd prefer not to. Unfortunately, this decision isn't in my hands. I can rely on Uber to travel between terminals. If you have any experience with this situation, your advice would be greatly appreciated.