On 2008.03.07, my family of 5 were going from Toronto to Taipei, with AC 1 connecting through Tokyo Narita.

When we arrived at the airport, there was long line for international check-in. I went to the express check-in kiosk, just like I had for many flights before. After 15 min. (we were on three different bookings), I eventually got all of us checked-in and printed the boarding passes. We then looked for the express check-in counter to drop off our luggage. At the other end, there was such a counter, but the man there said we still have to line up just like everyone else. I wasn't happy, as my wife could've been waiting in the line. I told him they should put up a sign at the express kiosk that we still have to line up.

When we eventually reached the agent (more than an hour later), I told her again they should put up signs at those express kiosks that people still need to line up, and the expres check-in is not going to save people time. She said AC wants to encourage all people to use the express kiosks, and they don't want signs like that. I told her that will only make people angry. In my case if I had known I could have my wife line up. If another person was by himself, there is no advantage in using the kiosks, and then still have to line up.

Don't know why AC has those express kiosks (there were maybe 20-30 of them), if they still require people to line up after using them.