Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

It’s time for the holiday rush at the airport. Here are a few ideas for people preparing to negotiate Atlanta’s airport over the holidays:

HELPFUL WEB SITES AND NUMBERS

• Hartsfield-Jackson’s Web site,

www.atlanta-airport.com, posts security checkpoint wait times and offers Trak-a-Line and Trak-a-Flight. These services will e-mail you with security wait times and departure times.

• The Web site also has information on parking availability. There are two parking hotlines, 404-530-6725 and 1-877-285-7275.

• Delta Air Lines flight information, 1-800-325-1999; flight status also available at delta.com.

• AirTran information, 1-800-247-8726, airtran.com.

• TSA information or claim forms, 1-866-289-9673, www.tsa.gov.

• United Service Organization, 404-761-8061.

• Hartsfield-Jackson radio information, 830 AM.

MARTA

• There is a rail station inside the airport that drops off passengers near baggage claim. Take the south line into the airport and the north or northeast line from the airport. Trips are $1.75 each way.

TIP: Buy round-trip fare to save time on your return trip.

PARKING

The airport has more than 30,000 parking spaces on site, including hourly and daily parking, economy parking and airport park-ride lots. For those dropping off or picking up passengers, the hourly parking lots directly in front of the terminal cost $1 per hour for the first two hours.

There are also several private park-ride lots on Camp Creek Parkway and its side streets, about a five- to 10-minute shuttle ride from the terminal.

• Park ‘N Go, 3151 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, near Washington Road; 404-669-9300; $7.50/day uncovered, $9.50/day covered.

• Fasttrack Parking, 3802 Washington Road, East Point, at Camp Creek Parkway; 404-559-4475; $8.99/day uncovered.

• The Parking Spot, 2741 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, near Washington Road; 404-761-3300; $8.50/day uncovered; $12.50/day covered.

• The Parking Spot 2, 3600 N. Desert Drive, East Point, near Camp Creek Parkway; 404-761-7711; $8.50/day uncovered; $12.50/day covered.

• Preflight Airport Parking, 4000 Global Gateway Connector, College Park; 404-767-8000; $9.50/day uncovered; $13.50/day covered.

• Park ‘N Fly Plus, 2525 Camp Creek Parkway, College Park, near Herschel Road; 404-761-0364; $10.25/day uncovered; $12.25/day covered.

• Park ‘N Ticket, 3945 Conley St., College Park, at Camp Creek Parkway; 404-669-3800; $11/day uncovered; $15/day covered.

• Park ‘N Fly, 3950 Conley St., College Park, at Camp Creek Parkway; 404-763-3185; $12/day.

• Wally Park, 3889 Herschel Road, College Park, at Camp Creek Parkway, 404-763-9990; $9 uncovered; $11/day covered.

TIP: Some facilities offer discounts for seniors and AAA club members. Some lots take reservations and have valet parking.

WHEN TO ARRIVE

Airport officials advise domestic travelers to arrive at least 90 minutes before departure times. International passengers should arrive at least two hours before departure. Check with your airline for more specific suggestions.

TIP: Print out your boarding pass on your home computer or use self-serve kiosks to bypass check-in lines and go straight to baggage-check stations.

BAGGAGE FEES

• Delta and AirTran have added fees for checked baggage for most passengers. If you booked a Delta flight Nov. 6 or later, the first checked bag will cost $15 and the second checked bag will cost $25. If you booked an AirTran flight Nov. 12 or later, the first checked bag will cost $15 and the second checked bag will cost $25. See the airlines’ Web sites for more information.

CURBSIDE CHECK-IN

Although both Delta and AirTran have checked-bag charges, Delta has discontinued its $3 fee for curbside check-in services and AirTran does not charge a fee for curbside check-in services.

SECURITY LINES

• Hartsfield-Jackson’s main security checkpoint is on one end of the main terminal and has 22 lanes. A maze line leads to the checkpoint. The line usually moves slowly but steadily. The airport also has added four lanes at a Terminal South checkpoint and six lanes at a Terminal North checkpoint. Signs will direct travelers to three different types of lanes they can choose from: Black Diamond for expert, elite or frequent business travelers; Blue Square for more casual travelers with carry-on baggage and a basic understanding of security requirements; and Green Circle for those with special needs or those traveling with young children in strollers.

• You must have a boarding pass and photo ID to go through security and on to the gate concourses.

TIP: Travelers can go to Atlanta-airport.com to register for updated security wait time information to e-mail, PDA or mobile devices.

SCREENING

The TSA guidelines call for all liquids, gels and aerosols to be in containers no larger than 3 ounces. Containers must be placed in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag. Only one bag is permitted per traveler. It must be removed from your carry-on and placed in the security bin for X-ray screening. Prescription drugs, baby formula and breast milk are allowed in quantities larger than 3 ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag, but they must be declared for inspection at the checkpoint. Beverages purchased after screening may be brought on board.

TIP: Make sure your see-through bag is quart size and has a zip top. Only one bag per passenger.

FILM

The bomb-detecting machines will ruin your film, so pack it in your carry-on.

CARRY-ONS

Small sharp objects such as scissors, tweezers, nail clippers and small tools may be carried on board. But if in doubt, leave it at home or pack it in checked luggage.

TIP: Check banned items at www.tsa.gov. For more tips and airport information, see ajc.com/travel.

PACKING GIFTS

Don’t wrap gifts you’ll be taking with you because they may need to be inspected by security.

CHILDREN TRAVELING ALONE

Check with your airline for rules, restrictions and charges for children traveling alone.

TRAVELERS IN WHEELCHAIRS

Airline representatives at Hartsfield-Jackson can provide wheelchair assistance. Let your airline know when making your reservation whether you need this service, and remind the agent at the airport. Check with your airline for other special needs.

MEETING ARRIVALS

Because nonticketed people are not allowed beyond security checkpoints, you’ll have to meet arrivals in the terminal at the greeting area or at some other spot.

Source: Research by KELLY YAMANOUCHI / Staff