I'm flying to Atlanta (help)

[woosta]

So for the first time ever, I'm flying down to PP. Is there anything I need to know to make my trip a little easier in terms of getting to Earthlink or other "must know" items about Atlanta's airport or any other aspect of the trip? I'm staying at the Atlanta Hilton and MARTA goes right by that so I should be good there. Any advice or tips?

 

[freakchylde]

If you're using marta and want to go anywhere, get a multi-trip pass, but don't get a breeze card, just get the ticket. Cheaper, and you can throw it away when your done or refill it if you need more. Shouldn't have a problem in getting here, but when you leave, get there at least an hour ahead of time. It seems the new checked baggage cut-off is 45 minutes before your flight, so figure you need time to stand in line if you can't do a kiosk check-in. Our TSA screeners are idiots, so case your carry-on for the forbidden items and save yourself the trouble. And bring a pair of socks to walk through the screening area.

 

[Cheiron]

If you are flying back on a monday, get there at least 2:15 minutes early. As the lines are hellacious on mondays.

 

[sh0kr0k]

or other "must know" items about Atlanta's airport

The Atlanta airport is enormous and can be overwhelming! When you get off the plane, follow everyone else to the "trains" and wait for the baggage claim stop, follow the signs from there and you should get out quickly and without trouble.

Look for a group of people in metal shirts and ask if they are riding the MARTA to the hotels. Tag along.

When are you getting in?

 

[nailz]

there for the first time last year myself. The worst part of my trip was riding the marta to the granada, they dropped me off at one of the 15,000 peach tree's and i got turned around and wandered for about 45 minuites because i exited on the wrong side. Horrible.

The airport's not too bad once you figure it out though.

 

[speedy1383]

Hopefully you are in decent shape because you do a lot of walking in Atlanta's airport. My least favorite airport by far in the US. I can't stand it. By contrast, Tampa's airport is great.

 

[woosta]

The Atlanta airport is enormous and can be overwhelming! When you get off the plane, follow everyone else to the "trains" and wait for the baggage claim stop, follow the signs from there and you should get out quickly and without trouble.

Look for a group of people in metal shirts and ask if they are riding the MARTA to the hotels. Tag along.

When are you getting in?

I'm coming in Friday like at 8AM. Are iPODS still contraband on airlines?

 

[Cheiron]

Oh and on the train, make sure you wait for baggage claim, which is after 'T-gate'.

You can listen to iPods after a certain point in the flight. They'll let you know, and they have to be turned off when descending.

 

[Diamond45]

Like everyone else said - take MARTA, and it is located near baggage claim at the airport. Get off at the Arts Center stop.

If you're arriving at night, I suggest you eat at the airport before getting on MARTA. Very few restaurants in Midtown Atlanta. There is a good food court near baggage claim.

I forget which exit you go when you get off the train, but if you're on the correct exit, soon as you leave, look to your right. The Best Western Granada (which really doesn't look like a hotel) is a block up on the left side. Center Stage is about a block up from the Granada, also on the left side.

I remember the first time Steve and I went there - we walked around for a LONG time until I could get my bearings! This was at 11 PM at night too

As everyone said, there are multiple Peachtree streets and they are NOT the same! Sometimes maps can fool you - you'll have to actually walk the streets for the maps to make sense. You'll probably get lost - don't worry we've gotten lost too!

 

[AMBR]

The worst airport is Detriot, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth. Tampa was nice when I was there in the 90s. Pittsburgh is a good airport. Chicago O'Hare is just huge!

Atlanta isn't that bad in comparison. But you'll do a LOT of walking, or take those underground trams that take you from concourse to concourse.

O'Hare is my nightmare. Atlanta may be big and a bit awkward, but it pales in comparison. And I've always thought the staff was at least pleasant. Want to be bitched at and abused for no reason? Visit us in Newark.

Overseas, Frankfurt gives me hives.

We took the Marta our first ProgPower and while it was relatively easy, it was damn hot and we walked around a bit until we could find the Granada. (Duh, it's right THERE!)
We old folks be lazy now and take a cab.

 

[BABS]

Look for a group of people in metal shirts and ask if they are riding the MARTA to the hotels. Tag along.

That method has always worked well for me at the airport!

People who know me, know that I am notorious for always getting lost! What I have learned with taking the MARTA to get to the Granada/Center Stage area is that you want the stop that is called ARTS CENTER. That is the Marta stop that is directly across the street from Granada.

 

[BABS]

Want to be bitched at and abused for no reason? Visit us in Newark.

I'll keep that in mind for anytime I miss my mother (rotfl).

 

[J-Man]

I know this is kinda off the topic, but everyone seems to be rating airports, as i have flown into at least 80% of all airports in the US and probably 50% of the ones overseas here is a short list of the worst and best.

Worst US

NEWARK
Laguiadia
LAX
SeaTac(seattle/tacoma)
Houston Hobby

Best US

Atlanta
Huntsville Al
Myrtle Beach SC
Anchorage
Honolulu

Worst Overseas

London Heathrow
London Gatewick
Narita
Chaing Kai Sheik (Taipei)
Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Best Overseas

Inchon (Korea)
Athens
Amsterdam
Sydney
Copenhagen

Just my two cents worth

 

[Dolamite S. Biffle]

I know this is kinda off the topic, but everyone seems to be rating airports, as i have flown into at least 80% of all airports in the US and probably 50% of the ones overseas here is a short list of the worst and best.

Worst US

NEWARK
Laguiadia
LAX
SeaTac(seattle/tacoma)
Houston Hobby

You only hate Hobby because of the traffic from the first day of MADfest and the returning of Hoyt and Pat at like 6 in the morning.

 

[yardleybates]

The first year, Yippee and I got a shuttle and it took us to the wrong Best Western (along with a couple other folks on the shuttle that were looking for the same hotel we were).

This year, I think we will be cabbing it rather than taking the MARTA as we'll be flying into some other airport not Atlanta's main one (as we'll be in a little plane and all). I kind of feel sad that I'll miss out on the whole MARTA experience this year.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

I'm coming in Friday like at 8AM. Are iPODS still contraband on airlines?

No .. ipods are allowed .. always have been allowable. Mine goes with me wherever I fly. You can't play it on takeoffs and landings, but that's the only restrictions.

Britt

 

[Magius]

Atlanta Airport is divided into a three sectioned main terminal (North, Main, and South), and five very long concourses.
1. From your concourse follow the signs downstairs to the trains. Maybe you'll get lucky with a gate close to the trains.
2. Get off the train at the main terminal. There is a stop for Terminal gates called T-gates, don't get off there. Most riders will be getting off at the main terminal too.
3. When you get to baggage claim look for the signs that say "Ground Transportation," or ask any airport personnel. It's not a far walk from baggage claim.
4. Take Marta to the "Arts Center" stop. Marta tokens are cheap. You don't need a pass if you're only going to ride twice from the airport and back.

Going back:

5. On the return trip you might have a long walk depending on where your airline's desks are. Follow the signs to your airline's check-in, but Ground Transportation is at the west end of the main terminal. If your airline's check-in is at the other end of the terminal it's a trek, and there's no train or moving sidewalk, unfortunately.
6. After you check in you have to go through security. It can be a really long line, but it moves smoothly and reasonably quickly... usually. However, getting to the airport at least 2 hours ahead of your departure time is definitely required.
7. After security go down to the trains, and get off on your concourse. Maybe you'll get lucky again and have a gate close to the trains. Never seems to happen for me though.

Never hesitate to ask anyone with the airport where something is.
iPods are allowed, but have to be off during takeoff and landing.

 

[actordude]

In the mood to lose your mind?? Fly into LAX. Any airline. Any time. Good times.

 

[rms]

Is it easy to find the way out once u land? Im flying in on thursday and the guy imb unking with is picking me up and never been in ATL airport...

And im also just thinking bringing a bookbag for my junk, never flown before, I can carry that on the plane with me right and not the luggage thing where it can get lost?

 

[nailz]

I'm coming in Friday like at 8AM. Are iPODS still contraband on airlines?

wait.. what?? Since when did that go into effect? If i didn't have an MP3 player I'd go insane.