Is Atlanta Hartsfield extremely efficient or just not checking?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 14, 2012 | 9:56 pm

mlancaster8

Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2012

Programs: Airtran A+ Rewards, Delta Sky Miles, US Airways Dividend Miles, Marriott Rewards, Priority Club

Posts: 37

Is Atlanta Hartsfield extremely efficient or just not checking?

My home airport is the fastest security I've found, especially for the amount of people.

Either they are beyond efficient or they are missing things.

My vote is efficient.

What does everyone else think?

Feb 15, 2012 | 8:28 am

cordelli

In Memoriam

Join Date: Feb 2000

Location: Easton, CT, USA

Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond

Posts: 31,801

Atlanta has a good amount of experienced travelers going through the airport security, I think that helps quite a bit.

Feb 15, 2012 | 8:55 am

Mientree

Join Date: Apr 2011

Posts: 142

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlancaster8

The cynic in me wants to say:

Quote:

They're very efficient at missing things.

But, I will denounce myself as I do not have relevant facts to backup my stated cynical opinion.

Feb 19, 2012 | 12:45 am

skidv25

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: ATL/BOS

Posts: 331

The main checkpoint always seems overstaffed, and is full of WTMD-only lanes, so the combination of those two things helps to keep the lanes moving.

Feb 19, 2012 | 10:39 am

Michael El

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: ONT

Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager

Posts: 2,159

Probably should put this in the Opt Out thread....

I just went through ATL Northside Security Friday. NoS was the only option, but I always opt-out. The very young clerk was quick to come and, not that I'm complaining, did a quick patdown. No junk touched etc.

However, the swab test came back with an alarm. He panicked and didn't know what to do. He didn't even ask me to stop putting on my shoes, belt etc. He left me unsupervised while he went to get another clerk to ask what to do. He then swabbed my hands and tested that in a different machine. He gave me a thumbs up and I was on my way.

I'd have to say Hartsfield may be more laxed than other airports based on my experience.

Feb 19, 2012 | 1:09 pm

coachrowsey

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: CLT

Programs: Choice Hotels/FFOCUS

Posts: 7,259

I think one gets through Clt rather quickly.

Feb 19, 2012 | 11:50 pm

mersk862

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!

Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS Titanium, Disney AP

Posts: 14,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidv25

The main checkpoint always seems overstaffed, and is full of WTMD-only lanes, so the combination of those two things helps to keep the lanes moving.

Add in the fact that there are numerous lanes (something like 24 in total that can be going at once) and it helps things out - often it might only be 4 lanes for a terminal, so even though an airport might have 24 lanes total, it's rather spread out rather than funneling into one area.

The fact that it has PreCheck as well is also a significant ^.