I had a short transfer at NRT, which incidentally can no longer be booked on NZ's website due to forced minimum connection time on the website far in excess of actual MCT (why oh why do they do this? putting artificial constraints just causes headaches and drives business away &/or to a TA unneccessarily).

So I was keen to get the return boarding pass, which can normally be done for many destinations (including Tokyo on SQ ex-AKL). This is also a reason for rejecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft. With time short and potentially needing to get checked in either at transfer desk or landside check in every minute getting out of the aircraft could be vital.

I was able to change seats on the onward flight, in order to ensure an empty seat (load wasn't quite as full and they were prepared to put the block in). Once again, though, the first proffered seat did not match my selection months ago.

But when it came to print out the boarding pass the computer refused to do it. The agent tried lots of approaches, checked with the other agents, checked with IS and still no result. On another desk they thought they had a result, into that printer jammed up and wouldn't restart. Then finally a boarding pass spits out of a printer. Only it is the first flight. Another try and a blank boarding pass is ejected. By now some 30 minutes had elapsed. I had long ago consigned myself to the need to check in at Tokyo but hung around because the agent was so eager to try everything and yes I had time to kill. I was also keeping an eye out for mahasamatman (+1) who was due for their flight soon.

Finally, success ^ 30 minutes, involving several staff (both check in and other) - lucky it was so quiet at this time eh?, several computers and printers, and one star for persevering. A boarding pass was printed (albeit some incorrect info but given the hassles in getting this far I just crossed my fingers the incorrect info would not matter). I thanked the agents profusely and made a mental note of their names to follow up with NZ.

Then to the immigration officer. I am not sure what she thought about this odd passenger who had been trying to check in for more than 30 minutes and shuffling back and forth. Perhaps because of this I didn't get any questions about my short expected time away and was soon upstairs, through security and into the lounge.

I grabbed a coffee or three and checked my email. The lounge was initially fairly empty but steadily filled by the time my flight was called.