ATL Morning Check-in Times
 

So I now find myself in a rather nice suite at the ATL Airport Hilton. I'd rather be in PDX.

Nonetheless, the Medallion Desk had guarded a seat for me the next morning. But at the airport, I stopped to check on my luggage and ask them about hotel discounts (I politely declined the discount to the Microtel Inn).

As I was leaving, the agent said, "great. See you by 6am tomorrow." My flight is at 0835 and my bags are already checked through. I'm flying First and SM. Do I really need to be at ATL more than an hour early?

I usually just connect through ATL, but don't originate here often. Is the morning rush really that bad for security? Will First/SM get me through quicker?

Morning rush is not that horrible. Granted, Mondays are slightly worse, but with luggage checked, you only need 45-60 min. Kiosk check-ins take literally 1-2 minutes, security might reach 10-15 with First/SM line. You'll be fine if you have an hour.

FYI, ATL general security lines this morning are running over an hour long, and the North Medallion line even took 25 minutes to get through. Just a heads up.

When I was there last year (no status) on a 7am flight or so, I arrived around 6. Didn't have to check bags, and used kiosk check-in and was in the A CRC by 6:15. I may have used the elite line (not sure -- it wasn't clearly labeled surprisingly), but even so, it still took me less than 15 min. Considering you can definitely use the elite security, an hour should be more than enough.