ecaarch

Yeah, look where running in airports got OJ.

Bulldog King

Based on my recent experiences, those times sound about right.

However, I have to admit that I once had a 90 minute departure delay followed by a 25 minute ATC hold arriving in ATL at roughly the time my "saftey net" (i.e. a backup flight to LGA in case my primary connecting flight had already departed) was scheduled to depart.

Only to find out that:

a: the last flight to LGA (i.e. my "safety net") had departed on schedule

b: my original connecting flight to LGA was still at the gate and was now scheduled to depart in 30 minutes.

c: the gate for that flight was directly across the walkway from my arrival gate

Sometimes ATL can make for some exciting "Delta Dashes" (remembers arriving 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the connecting flight and making a mad dash from A to B) in order to catch a flight.....while other times, things can actually turn out for the best.

I think that is one of the things that always makes connecting at ATL an interesting experience........as you never know what will happen next.

A.J.

DanJ

I'm glad I didn't start a new thread about this now LOL. Thanks to everyone for their advice here. I was a little concerned about the 50 minute connection time my TA just booked us next January. I'll still be concerned until we board the o/b flight, but at least I know 50 minutes isn't out of the ordinary.

One question though. I noticed somebody saying Delta will change gates and concourses for a flight pretty frequently, so trying to keep an eye out for a trend with our LAX-ATL flight is pointless. But what about the feeder flights? We are flying to Flint on ASA. Do the feeder lines have a dedicated area, or do they get put all over the place too?

El Boocho

ASA leaves from "C". Since C is pretty much all RJs or other airlines you can be fairly sure that LAX-ATL will not come into C. C is more or less in the middle of the airport so you won't have an E to A situation to worry about. Additionally, ASA has never had a flight leave on time, so you ought to be just fine.

indufan

Most ASA flights come into C but I think some of them come into D as well.

And dude, don't stress over a 50 minute connection, life is too short.

DanJ

Thanks for the info.

I'm not stressing over it. I was just a little concerned. I had originally wanted to book the 1215pm departure out of LA, but since this is a flight after a cruise, our TA highly recommended we take the 130pm flight. I suppose if we actually get to LAX early from the ship, we can ask if we can take the earlier flight. Who knows if they'll let us, but it can't hurt to ask anyway.

indufan

OK, then, don't be concerned, life is too short.

Traveller

A house on a golf course in Florida?

indufan

Traveller, you should know that OJ was accused of murdering his ex-wife and her friend. He was acquitted but later found responsible in a civil trial.

I know, since it wasn't on FT, then you don't know about it.

Traveller

It was probably on OMNI.... but I didn't know about FT then!

UpgradeMe

U.S. citizens arriving ATL from GUA early evening.

Delta.com offers two connections to my final destrination, 1:25 or 3:00 after scheduled arrival time. Flying C class with spouse, infant and multiple checked bags.

I don't want to spend any more time in ATL than necessary, but I also don't want to misconnect with the inevitable downgrade that will go along with it.

Which connection do I book?


P.S. Yes, I did a search.

FTraveler

I would definitely go with the 3-hour connection. I've done it before and it is a trying experience. You have enough on your hands - the long walk to immigration, immigration clearance, baggage pick-up, customs clearance, re-checking your baggage, and sprinkle in a diaper change or two and the last thing you need to worry about is whether you have enough time to make your connection. Take a breather and relax in the CRC, get some fresh milk for the baby while you're there.

PFKNC

I would also go for the 3 hour connection given the uncertainty involved in clearing customs and security to make 1 1/2 hour with your baggage and family. Would probably see if could get shower in Delta Crown Room in Concourse E w/ the extra time.

Canarsie

Typically, if one flies in the premium cabin (business class or first class), one stands a good chance at being one of the first in line at United States Customs. For this scenario, I would normally say that 1 hour and 25 minutes is enough time for you to connect from one flight to another.

However, UpgradeMe, because you stated that you are arriving in the early evening, when many international flights arrive in Atlanta, chances are that the lines may already be long because they may be filled with passengers from other international flights — especially European flights — by the time you deplane. In that case, I would recommend the 3 hour connection time.

Also, I assume that you are taking a domestic flight on Delta Air Lines from Atlanta to wherever the “Land of 10,000 Upgrades” may be. In this case, your flight will most likely depart from a terminal other than Terminal E, which is where most international flights arrive and depart. This means that you will have to take the underground train to get to the terminal where the gate for your departing domestic flight is located.

Add an infant and multiple checked bags to this scenario, and you will need the bulk of the three hours.

I hope this information helps you, UpgradeMe.

By the way, you are the last FlyerTalk member I would accuse of not doing a search...

JS

I'll guess that would be MSP.