It’s time for the holiday rush with some changes in security measures, as well. Travelers should be prepared for the possibility of imaging machines, pat-downs and delays. Here are a few things fliers need to know as they navigate Atlanta’s airport:
Be early
- Delta Air Lines is advising travelers to get to the airport three hours in advance of international flights and up to two hours in advance of domestic flights. Check with your airline for more specific suggestions.
- For Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport information, go to atlanta-airport.com or call 1-800-897-1910.
Security lines
- Hartsfield-Jackson’s main security checkpoint is on one end of the main terminal and has 22 lanes for passengers flying out. A maze line leads to the checkpoint. The line usually moves slowly but steadily. The airport has four lanes at a Terminal South checkpoint and six lanes at a Terminal North checkpoint. Signs will direct travelers to three 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.
- The TSA this year also launched a new “trusted traveler” program at Hartsfield-Jackson and a few other airports, allowing some travelers such as the most frequent fliers on Delta to opt into the “PreCheck” program for a chance at expedited screening. The PreCheck lane is one of the lanes at the South security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson.
- You must have a boarding pass and photo ID to go through security and on to the gate concourses.
Expect extra screening
- All airline passengers are required to provide their full name as it appears on government-issued ID, their date of birth and gender when booking reservations. The TSA says passengers should provide all that information at the time of booking to avoid delays and prevent misidentifications.
- TSA guidelines call for all liquids, gels and aerosols to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces. Containers must be placed in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag. 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 bought after screening may be brought on board.
- The TSA’s list of prohibited carry-on items includes a variety of sharp objects such as box cutters and knives, certain sporting goods such as baseball bats and golf clubs, guns and firearms, tools such as hammers and drills, and a variety of flammable materials.
- Also prohibited in carry-on bags are snow globes regardless of size and amount of liquid inside (even with documentation), gel-type candles.
- Pies and cakes are allowed but “may require further inspection,” according to the TSA.
- The TSA has new screening procedures for passengers under 13 years old to reduce but not eliminate pat-downs of children and allowing them to leave their shoes on when going through security.
Full-body imaging
- At Hartsfield-Jackson, the TSA has 14 full-body imaging millimeter-wave machines.
- Imaging technology is optional. Passengers can be screened with a physical pat-down instead.
- A passenger who is screened with one of the imaging machines goes into the imaging portal, stands in a position and remains still for a few seconds. The TSA this year updated technology on its millimeter-wave machines with software that detects any potential threats concealed under clothing. The screen either shows a generic outline of a person highlighting areas that may need more screening, or displays “OK” if there are no anomalies. The passenger then exits the opposite side of the portal and collects carry-on items.
- The TSA said the full process takes less than a minute and recommends that passengers remove all the items from their pockets, including money, and certain accessories such as bulky jewelry, to avoid extra screening after exiting the machine.
- According to the TSA, anyone who refuses to be screened at any point during the screening process will not be able to fly.
» Tip: The TSA also has a MyTSA iPhone application and a mobile site at www.tsa.gov/mobile, where you can get information on wait times and prohibited items.
In-flight Wi-Fi
- Many of Delta’s aircraft and AirTran’s entire fleet of planes are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi access. The regular rates are $4.95 per flight up to 1 1/2 hours; $9.95 per flight between 1 1/2 hours and three hours; and $12.95 per flight longer than three hours. Mobile access, 24-hour passes, monthly passes and more options are available at different rates.
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 if 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.
Opening of new facility next year
The airport’s new international terminal is under construction. Airport officials say they expect to open it next spring.
More helpful websites and numbers
- Hartsfield-Jackson’s website — www.atlanta-airport.com — posts security checkpoint wait times and offers Trak-a-Line and Trak-a-Flight. These services will email you with security wait times and departure times. The airport also has a mobile website at www.iflyatl.com with maps, security line wait times, concessions discounts and other information.
- The airport has more than 30,000 parking spaces, with more than 8,000 park-ride spaces on site for $9 per day. The airport’s economy parking lots adjacent to the parking decks cost $3 per hour or $12 per day. Hourly parking in the parking decks in front of the terminal costs $2 per hour for the first two hours. The airport website has information on parking availability at its lots — including daily, economy, hourly and park-ride lots.
Call 404-530-6725 or
1-877-ATL-PARK
- For its west economy and Park-Ride B lots, the airport uses a ticketless, credit card in-out system and says it will no longer accept cash at those lots.
- Check in for flights online using airline websites to save time at the airport.
- Delta Air Lines flight information, 1-800-325-1999; flight status also available at delta.com. You also can sign up for email flight notifications on Delta’s website, and in many cases you can get a mobile boarding pass on your smartphone.
- AirTran information,
1-800-247-8726, airtran.com.
» 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.
Getting ready
Baggage fees
Delta and AirTran have added fees for checked baggage for most passengers. On AirTran flights, the first checked bag will cost $20 and the second checked bag will cost $25. On Delta’s domestic flights, the first checked bag will cost $25, and the second checked bag will cost $35. See the airlines’ websites for more information.
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. Airlines allow one carry-on item plus one personal item.
Film
If you still use it, put it in your carry-on. Bomb-detecting machines that screen checked luggage will ruin film.
Packing gifts
Don’t wrap gifts you’ll be taking with you. They may be inspected by security screeners.
» Tip: Thinking of bringing something for the holiday meal? Prohibited liquids or gels in carry-on bags include cranberry sauce, creamy dips/spreads, gravy, jams and jellies, maple syrup and sauces.
Park and Ride
- Park ’N Go, 3151 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, near Washington Road; 404-669-9300; $6.99/day uncovered, $7.99/day covered. Holiday rates: $7.99 uncovered, $8.99 covered.
- Fasttrack Parking, 3802 Washington Road, East Point, at Camp Creek Parkway; 404-559-4475; $7.95/day uncovered.
- The Parking Spot, 2741 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, near Washington Road; 404-761-3300; $8.95/day uncovered; $12.50/day covered.
- The Parking Spot 2, 3600 N. Desert Drive, East Point, near Camp Creek Parkway; 404-761-7711; $8.95/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/day uncovered; $12/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; 1-888-GO-WALLY; $9/day uncovered; $11/day covered.
» Tip: Rates are subject to change and are subject to applicable taxes and fees. Some facilities offer discounts for seniors and AAA club members. Some lots take reservations and have valet parking for an extra fee. Park ’N Fly Plus also recently opened a Jiffy Lube and pet boarding on its site, with additional costs for those services.
There are several private park-ride lots on Camp Creek Parkway and its side streets, about a five- to 10-minute shuttle ride from the terminal. Some of the park-ride lots’ websites offer coupons or discounts.
MARTA
- The MARTA train takes you right into the airport terminal, near baggage claim. Take MARTA’s Red or Gold line to and from the airport. Trips are $2.50 each way.
- Trains operate either every 15 minutes or every 20 minutes, depending on the day and time. Trains begin service about 4:45 a.m. or later on weekdays and roughly 6 a.m. or later on weekends.
» Tip: Purchase round-trip fare to save time on your return trip.
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