PRWeezer

P.S. I think I've posted this in other threads related to this issue, but worth repeating here:

The terminal, slated to open in 2012, will add 12 new gates designed for international departures and arrivals, with its own access from nearby Interstate 75 and dedicated security and check-in areas.

As the largest international carrier in Atlanta, Delta will have priority use of six of the gates, and access to the remaining six.

As said before, let's not all get our hopes up that we'll all be breezing through the new terminal on DL, inbound or outbound.

upnorth

I avoid ATL at all costs. I even pay extra for an itinerary that is not through ATL. Once I almost missed a connecting flight at ATL to PVG. I now regularly use DTW for international connections. The last time I flew in from PVG, I had a 1 hour connection at DTW and it was a breeze. I use the GE program and then use the security inside the customs area to connect for the domestic (MSP) leg. Unfortunately MSP does not have a GE kiosk.

DL2SXM

Sounds like someone with something to hide. Nonetheless, I'll waive bye to you as I exit in less then one minute from the GE kiosk.

Also, to respond to an earlier post, GE is a kiosk, since when does it close?

DeltaFirst

I always schedule at least a 2 hr layover when arriving from overseas no matter which airport I fly to. I use GE so that's a line a I don't worry about. For departure or reentry to the US my preference is still ATL and EWR because of the simplicity and ease of movement through the terminals to connecting flights. Just didn't like the attitude of the customs and TSA screeners at DTW, they never strike me as anyone that's been anywhere besides Detroit but I'm sure they're doing their best.

BTW, I'd never fly Skyteam through EWR nor *A through ATL. You like IAH but to me a pain in the a$$ if you connect from Delta. Much like connecting Skyteam with *A in CDG, I won't do it again.

vasantn

I'm seeing a subtle pattern here on the part of the OP ...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-joke-atl.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ate-747-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-upgrades.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...pit-fleet.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...lly-sucks.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...like-crap.html

spudley007

Cheers to that. I don't know how AA operates there!

vasantn

Not true at all.

STBCypriot

When you rescreen at JFK (after just having gone through immigration and showing your passport) you have to show your BP and ID. At least you don't have to do this step in ATL. I don't understand the logic behind that. But then again logic and TSA are like oil and water.

BTW, there is a Black Diamond (expert) lane in ATL when re-entering the airport after customs. In all the many times I have gone through this security in the past several years, the line has either been closed or being used for "special needs" people. Once I asked if I could use then lane and was screeched at by the woman who seems to always be herding people there in ATL. I hate going through this security farce in ATL.

TheMoose

Why the apologizing? Delta explicitly chooses to force that much volume through ATL. They choose to make so many of their flights go through ATL when they have a network of (very capable, mind you) hubs they could easily distribute to. Considering this, and especially considering the issues ATL has (overcrowding, huge delays in summertime with storms, generally poor on-time departures/arrivals, poor experience for incoming int'l passengers, smaller terminals (less wide concourses, fewer seats near gates, etc.), random issues like a power blackout in one concourse) you would think Delta would love to balance some of the network load across other hubs.

But they don't, they continue to stuff more into ATL and this new international terminal will not do much to ease many of the issues (is a bus ride from E->F->back to T-E really more convenient?). Delta shouldn't simply get a pass because ATL is so busy -- they're the primary reason why ATL is so busy!

jamienbaker

Agreed. People with things to hide make me nervous flying. But the world needs suckers...people whom pay cash at tolls, people who prefer to avoid GE, and so forth. Seriously, I'm all for people going the slow and droopy route, so I can get home more quickly to my family.

TheMoose

Requisite:

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Frankin

How about those who have done nothing wrong but don't want to be treated like some criminal when returning to their home country (or flying within their home country, a la the body "scanners" and TSA groping).

jbcarioca

Or as Mrs. jbcarioca is prone to say "SUB tel". Anyway what would FT be without mindless rants about perceived inadequacies?

I must remember that when I complete a US international arrivals process I am being "dumped". I never quite saw it just that way.

jamienbaker

I'm not going to get dragged into this. Your paranoia makes my life more efficient. There are folks who still wont use the Internet because they don't trust it. Good. It would slow my connection speed if they did. I don't see how shuffling through a 700 person line protects your liberty, but if you feel differently that's fine. The info on the GE application was less evasive than on a typical mortgage application. But maybe borrowing money and pursuing home ownership deserves neither liberty nor safety.

socrates

same here....though I've been fairly lucky with EWR & IAH, guess I'm unlucky with ATL

GYEWorldTraveler

Just to give anyone interested a data point. I arrived from Quito at 6:10am, was 2nd off the plane and just got through security. 1 hr 20 mins! Crazy, there is no way I'd make a 7:35 connection. Luckily I booked the 8:15 and it is starting to board as I write this. The line for American citizens at 6:15am had to be 500-600 deep, while the visitors line maybe had 50 people in line.....seems odd that it would take longer for a us citizen to pass through