Immigration at ATL Hartsfield-Jackson (4 Viewers)

slisk250

slisk250

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I'm having some trouble finding good flights coming home this summer. It's a bit interesting that all the prices are 25% more than last year given the price of fuel...bastards!

When connecting on international flights, I've learned to allow 2 hours when landing in the USA as getting through immigration and then rechecking bags after getting them through customs is sometimes a problem if flights are delayed at all.

My best option looks like a 1:45 stop in ATL if flights are on time coming from Amsterdam. @BGinGA @Mr Tree or anyone else have much experience with using this airport for such a stop? I've never had to go this way before. I'm always able to use Detroit (awesome) Dallas/Ft. Worth (not bad), Minneapolis (also good). The only guys I know that fly into ATL use it as a final destination.

Airport immigration has been getting better with the kiosk system but if ATL isn't rocking with 20-30 stations, it could be a mess.

Any experience out there among the chippers?
 
slisk250 said:
I'm having some trouble finding good flights coming home this summer. It's a bit interesting that all the prices are 25% more than last year given the price of fuel...bastards!

When connecting on international flights, I've learned to allow 2 hours when landing in the USA as getting through immigration and then rechecking bags after getting them through customs is sometimes a problem if flights are delayed at all.

My best option looks like a 1:45 stop in ATL if flights are on time coming from Amsterdam. @BGinGA @Mr Tree or anyone else have much experience with using this airport for such a stop? I've never had to go this way before. I'm always able to use Detroit (awesome) Dallas/Ft. Worth (not bad), Minneapolis (also good). The only guys I know that fly into ATL use it as a final destination.

Airport immigration has been getting better with the kiosk system but if ATL isn't rocking with 20-30 stations, it could be a mess.

Any experience out there among the chippers?
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I've never used ATL as anything but a final destination. Sorry [emoji53]
 
Have you gone through immigration at ATL recently? How was it if you did? Big queues? Kiosk system? Even if it was a final destination, that info is valuable.
 
slisk250 said:
Have you gone through immigration at ATL recently? How was it if you did? Big queues? Kiosk system? Even if it was a final destination, that info is valuable.
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The queues weren't long although it was late when we got in. I think there is a computer you type your info into before you talk to the person in customs but that's all I remember. Well besides that you walk halfway to the moon before you are done.
 
It sounds like you're flying delta. If so ATL is their hub. I fly through there a couple dozen times a year. I don't use immigration, but I'm betting they are equipped to handle it.
 
Fairly-well-known but surprising fact - Hartsfield is the busiest airport in the world. As such, I'm sure they are quite well-equipped to handle immigration, but the distances and size of crowds when arriving are what you would need to worry about...
 
Ben said:
Fairly-well-known but surprising fact - Hartsfield is the busiest airport in the world. As such, I'm sure they are quite well-equipped to handle immigration, but the distances and size of crowds when arriving are what you would need to worry about...
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And it's a big place. It can take a while to get from terminal to terminal.
 
ATL is my least favorite airport. The place is gigantic and without fail every time I've had to change planes in ATL I have 3 minutes to go 2 terminals over by subway then run the 12 city blocks to my gate. I have yet to have a flight arrive in ATL on time (7-8 times).
 
I have no experience with ATL immigration or customs, but have flown in/out/through many, many times. It's certainly huge, but I do prefer it over every other major airport I've seen (including most of the larger US cities, including Chicago, Detroit, LA, SF, Boston, DC, etc.).
 
on the east coast i will do anything to avoid ATL and its a given with most people when the subject of busiest, worse airports come up to travel thru or layover, most all agree unless its your final, go elsewhere,anywhere but ATL, have not been back in years as i avoid it at all costs, know nothing about international incoming...... your results may differ..;)
 
I did fly through ATL on my way to Guatemala in January. We flew Delta from Amsterdam to ATL and then to Guatemala City. We had to claim our luggage there, go through customs and then re-check it in. (This seems like the default in the US for some reason) From my single experience there it did not feel any slower than going through other american airports on international connections (I have only traveled through a few of them though) We had a bit more than 2 hours 20minutes connection time, and that was fine. I remember it took some time though, and I guess if you arrive delayed it could be a problem. Not sure if they have some sort of automated kiosk system for passport control, but we did not use it. This could be different for American citizens though, but I'm not sure.

After writing this I see that it is not really very helpful as I cant really remember the details of the airport. You can probably see this as good sign though, because I would probably remember it if it was a horrible experience. And at least we made it on time with 2h20m connection.
 
If you fly with the same airline company all the way from Amsterdam to your final destination and the flight is delayed so much that you miss your connecting, flight I would assume the airline company will put you on the next flight to your destination though? It would be a bit more of a hassle if it happens I guess, but if the tickets are much cheaper it might be worth it.
 
My first choice of carriers is KLM/Delta but their connections have changed so it is problematic. I might be forced to give up my 7 hour Amsterdam layover (crap!). The only other good option is British/American. The most likely situation will be BAH-LHR-ORD-PHX and the times are ok but a bit pricey X 3 tickets. At least I can get a nice Beer in London for breakfast and hot dog at O'Hare.

FYI - I never book with travel sites with mixed carriers because when there are flight cancellations, the airlines will not help, referring you to the website you made the purchase. The return tickets for 2 of these are for my kids flying alone back to Bahrain at Christmas so options are very limited.

Thanks for the info. The purpose of this thread was to potentially rule out ATL and I've learned enough here (and on the web) to NOT make this place to connect.

@Mr Tree - If SOP 4 happens in 2017 and it falls on March 30-April 1, I'll gladly make the flight :D
 
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slisk250 said:
@Mr Tree - If SOP 4 happens in 2017 and it falls on March 30-April 1, I'll gladly make the flight :D
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IF S@P 4 is next year (and still very much completely an if at this point) it would probably be April 6-8 to coincide with my kids' spring break.
 
slisk250 said:
Where is the "I hate your kid's school calendar" button. :(
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Sorry [emoji53]. I know Ronoh loves the time S@P falls in but I hate how close it is to BBotB. Of course these days there are so many meetups I guess it's hard not to step on someone's toes. At this point in my life my poker schedule is dictated by my kids.
 
Mr Tree said:
Sorry [emoji53]. I know Ronoh loves the time S@P falls in but I hate how close it is to BBotB. Of course these days there are so many meetups I guess it's hard not to step on someone's toes. At this point in my life my poker schedule is dictated by my kids.
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It's all good. I had to change RitR because of school schedule and Ronoh did not like that. Looks like I'll have to retire first to get to the SOP. Still dreaming about the possibility of Redbelly, Yourself, and I having a Denver tournament series when we are in our 60s.
 
slisk250 said:
It's all good. I had to change RitR because of school schedule and Ronoh did not like that. Looks like I'll have to retire first to get to the SOP. Still dreaming about the possibility of Redbelly, Yourself, and I having a Denver tournament series when we are in our 60s.
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The 2031 World Series of Chippers
 
Mr Tree said:
I know Ronoh loves the time S@P falls in but I hate how close it is to BBotB.
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I love it for two reasons... it gives me a reason not to dread the end of March Madness and my kids have spring break the week before yours :)

slisk250 said:
I had to change RitR because of school schedule and Ronoh did not like that.
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Was just disappointed I couldn't attend is all :) There are really only a few times that I absolutely can not make a meetup and it just happened to be all three windows were hit this calendar year. Frustrating :D
 

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