Originally Posted by
Duke787
It doesn't matter whether OP has bags or not. If you have checked bags and go in the "domestic" entrance (where the SkyTrain drops you off), you go up to the "domestic" DL check-in desk as you normally would. This set-up is only a problem if your international carrier ex-ATL is someone other than DL/AF/KLM and as a result the airline in question doesn't have a kiosk in the domestic terminal.
But OP is flying to PLS so safe to assume OP is flying DL the whole way so it's absolutely fine to check bags at the "domestic" entrance and then take the airside plane train to E/F for actual departure.
If OP is just doing an overnight the absolutely easiest thing to do is arrive, head to domestic baggage claim, take the SkyTrain to one of the Gateway hotels, spend the night, take it back in the AM and check bags back in at the "domestic" check-in and then go airside via Clear/PreCheck and take the plane train to E/F.
ATL is a nightmare if you need to be picked up by an actual airport shuttle or car / uber / taxi -- so the SkyTrain and Gateway hotels allow you to completely avoid this.
OP has an ovenight connection on the return too and I'm assuming (bad idea) that PLS isn't preclear and will arrive into E or F at ATL.
Yeah, for the outbound a departing DL international passenger can check in at the domestic terminal, but it's more of a problem in the other direction, especially if the checked bags cannot go through TSA airport security as carry on pieces due to size, liquids, or other forbidden items.