Comments on: First Hand Account: Int’l Traveler Returns to ATL on Dec 30

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:09:24 +0000

Can someone tell me why passengers have to recheck bags at ATL and MEM, especially if you are terminating your travel at these locations. Apparently these are the only two US airports that have this requirement.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:33:50 +0000

Returned from business in Helsinki yesterday(Feb. 17) using a KLM/DELTA routing HEL-AMS-ATL-RSW business/first itinerary. Security screened at HEL, cleared EU Customs in Amsterdam then screened locally at Delta’s AMS departure gate, cleared US customs then twice screened at ATL (once due to declared tulip bulbs) – grand total of 4 security screenings in one day. Actually, ATL Hartsfield was the slowest process due to no Premium Elite/Business class line as AMS and other European airports offer so we had no ‘line advantage’. One interesting observation – the dichotomy between U.S. and European screening criteria. Required to remove belt but not shoes in HEL + AMS – not required to remove belt but always shoes in the US…

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:20:23 +0000

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal? I still can’t believe that will be the name of the new international terminal. . .a project mired in controversy, cost overruns and delays. His legacy will live on forever. Very scary.

By: Jim Jacobs

Jim Jacobs — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:17:56 +0000

@Chip Fuller
The security check may only take ten minutes, but it may take one hour or more of waiting in line to get to the check point. I would guess that some people have missed connecting flights because of the redundant security. There has to be a way to allow arriving passengers to avoid a second trip through security and go directly to their departure gates.

By: Chip Fuller

Chip Fuller — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:58:29 +0000

What an incredible spoiled species we are. We fly across oceans in only a few hours while we get served hot meals and cold drinks, watch movies, and cover distances that only a few generations ago would have taken weeks if not months, in discomfort. And yet people are still furious over having to go through a 10 minute security check upon entering an American airport. Give me a break!

By: Al Snedeker

Al Snedeker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:12:12 +0000

The new international terminal currently under construction at Hartsfield-Jackson will eliminate re-checks and streamline the entire process for returning international passengers. The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is scheduled to be complete in spring 2012. You can see recent construction progress on the airport’s YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/atlantahartsfield

Thanks!

By: P. Durbetaki

P. Durbetaki — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:25:11 +0000

There is a reason you have to go back through security after clearing Customs in Atlanta. Actually you have to do this at ANY airport when arriving internationally and having to go through Customs. When you retrieve your bag to go through Customs, you have access to its contents, including perhaps the set of kitchen knives you bought in France or the hunting knife you bought in Germany that were packed in your luggage. Commons sense tells you that you must go through security again before entering secure areas of the airport, right? It’s not just Atlanta. I do this every time I fly through JFK too.