ATL Rant!

It has been a few years since I have flown into Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).   I have to say that my tolerance for this airport has reached its limit.   My next business trip to the southeast will be to any other nearby airport than ATL— the busiest airport in the America with over 88 million passengers in 2009.

In the main lobby of the terminal they have numerous posters singing the praises of their airport’s history and design.  “It's all about the flow” was their catch phrase.  In my opinion, the "flow" of this airport was not a feature to brag about—a flow that was so clogged, that the airport was on the verge of a stroke or heart attack.

The travel recommendation of arriving two hours before your flight was truly necessary—the first time since flights immediately after 9-11.  Why?  I don’t really know.  I guess it’s all about the “flow” ...or lack of it.

Traveling home on a Friday evening is often a disaster so I opted for staying at an airport hotel and taking a morning flight on Saturday,  supposedly a lighter travel day.  By staying over, I also saved a ridiculous $600 over the Friday fare.

I enjoyed sleeping-in and had a relaxing breakfast before I dutifully departed the hotel at exactly 8AM for my 10AM flight.  I stopped to fill the gas tank of my rental car before taking I-85-S one exit into ATL.  The car rental complex is huge and accommodates all companies within in a single parking-garage building which connects to the airport via an monorail.  

Carrying a large air-case (with no wheels) filled with equipment (49.7 lbs.) and hand-carrying another ~25 lb. case filled with my cameras and lenses, my biggest complaint about ATL is the insane amount of walking required.  No carts are available, so one is stuck hand carrying heavy bags over great distances.  After checking-in the car, there was a long walk across the parking garage deck to an elevator, up one level to another long walk leading to a long escalator ride up to a third level followed by more walking to the air train monorail which takes you to the main terminal.

Exiting the air train, one has another long walk on the platform to get to a long escalator ride down to street level, followed by another long walk outside and into the crazy main terminal terminal.  Remember at ATL, "It’s all about the FLOW!" which is why you enter the SAME doorway you exited only  few days earlier.  You have to walk past the unsupervised luggage claim, swimming up-stream against the current of out-flowing travelers.  Great planning!

More long walks down long pathways without any real “flow”— instead travelers seem to be ignoring traditional stay-to-the-right rules and preferring random chaos instead.  Like everyone else, we are all looking up, trying to follow confusing arrows that lead us to the busier central area, where I first found the self-praising signs of how great their "flow" was.   I’m a fairly bright guy and public signage usually isn’t an Achilles heel for me... but I was wounded today and spent way too much time in the central part of the terminal, making incorrect choices down different spokes before finally feeling defeated and asking for help at the Delta check-in area.  

“Sir, Continental is in North Terminal ... it’s just across the central area.”  


Oh no, not back into that maelstrom again!!!   Once again, I tried to find meaningful signs, something simple like “Domestic Check-In” or airline names would have been nice—instead all I could see were those great “Flow” charts which were really starting to get on my nerves. 

I finally found North Terminal and I was able to read that Continental was one of many airlines that shared this side of town.  Again I followed arrows which led me down a long parallel walkway and I still didn’t see anything that even remotely looked like check-in.  Finally, I broke the rules and stopped following these wrong-way arrows, taking a detour which led me to the promised land.  

There I found a very long wall of check-in stations for very many airlines. Of course, there weren't any visible signs extending "into" the long hallway, which may have helped "flow" by possibly helping you find YOUR airline.  No, instead you again have to cross currents through chaotic lines of people.  One practically has to be in directly in front of each check-in station to be able to see the airline's logo on the back wall under a deep overhang.

Finally I find Continental's check-in and I find no line, just me!  I thought.... I'm the only fool taking Continental through ATL.  I dared to ask where Security was and the Continental agent smiled and directed me back into the central vortex to begin the second HOUR of my ATL travel trauma.  Within the central area, I found a corner far from the towering “Flow” signs where I prepared by getting my laptop out and throwing everything else from my pockets into my camera case before entering security.

Down another long hallway, I finally enter an area where I find multiple serpentine lines, similar to what one would find at an amusement park.  It was like security lines when traveling back from a foreign country.  Fifteen minutes later, shuffling through this line, making small talk with frustrated line-folk, pushing my smaller camera case along with my foot, I finally reached the initial TSA screener.  

Apparently TSA agents at ATL takes their job very seriously.  They are not worried about "flow" instead they have all the time in the world and want get to know you personally.  They want eye-to-eye contact and make chit-chat conversation with EVERYONE before they allowing them to pass.  The dazed woman in front of me was a little slow in responding to his questioning, so he peppered her with more talk, asking if she is feeling alright, before finally allowing her to pass.   

It was now my turn, saying good morning and offering him my boarding pass and drivers license.  

"So how are you today?"  

"I'm fine"... long pause through his stare down..."I'm looking forward to going home."   

"So, New Jersey is your home?"  ...."Yes"  

"Here on business?"  ... "Yes"  

Trying to lighten things up, I add, "I'm already tired from all the walking through this large airport."

He replied, "Sorry to say there's a lot more walking to come," and he finally stamped my pass.

I thought the initial screeners were the bottle neck in the security flow; but I was wrong, that conversation was just filler,  because only a few steps past the first screener, you immediately continue the crawl of another endless line leading to the main screeners.  This second serpentine line seemed like an eternity.  Everyone was now pushing their bags with their feet ( I think they copied my lead) as I listened to frustrated travelers venting about possibly missing their flight.


After 15 more minutes, we finally reached the second screeners and that went smoothly. After putting myself back together—shoes, belt, laptop, cell phone— it was time for another walk to a bank of very long escalators leading to the underground train which takes you to the gates.  


"Next stop, "A" as in Alpha.  Teaching everyone the aviation alphabet, good for trivia, but not for the "flow"  it would have been nice to hear what airlines were at the "A" gates.  The train rushed on to "B" for Bravo, "C" for Charlie and then to my gate "D" which is for Delta, but that would have been too confusing considering Delta is a hub airline at ATL (using the "A" alpha gates).  The synth voice then announced "D" for David???  ... choosing to blend the police alphabet with the aviation.  


After the long walk to the end of the platform, up very long escalators there was another long walk down the "D" terminal in search of my gate.  I lost track of time and was shocked to find my plane was almost completely boarded and I felt relieved to finally be in my seat.  Reflecting on the last two hours I was incredulous to think that this is what travel has come to.  Although my parents have long passed from this world, I couldn't help but think how challenging it would have been for them, or others from their generation.


I could continue to rant about the flight as well, but that's enough complaining for one entry.  Next trip will be to a different airport, or better yet—I'll make it a road trip!