ATL transit - difficulty walking
#1
Original Poster


Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,732
I have a question for those who are familiar with ATL.
My aunt will arrive in concourse F off an international flight and has a 2h30 connection time to a domestic flight that seems to usually leave from concourse T. She is becoming less confident with her walking and is a little less steady on her feet than she used to be, but is far from needing a wheelchair.
While I am less familiar with ATL, I understand that she'll clear immigration and customs at F and then need to proceed to T with her wheelie hand-lugagge.
She does't feel confident taking the train as it does't seem to have seats and the acceleration at stops may cause her to lose her balance.
Does the walking tunnel between concourses have moving walkways throughout? (I know there will be gaps between them but do they stretch between all concourses?) She would be ok with these. If so, does anyone know roughly the travel time from F to T using them?
Also are golf carts available for travel through the tunnel? How would she go about requesting one?
Thanks in advance.
My aunt will arrive in concourse F off an international flight and has a 2h30 connection time to a domestic flight that seems to usually leave from concourse T. She is becoming less confident with her walking and is a little less steady on her feet than she used to be, but is far from needing a wheelchair.
While I am less familiar with ATL, I understand that she'll clear immigration and customs at F and then need to proceed to T with her wheelie hand-lugagge.
She does't feel confident taking the train as it does't seem to have seats and the acceleration at stops may cause her to lose her balance.
Does the walking tunnel between concourses have moving walkways throughout? (I know there will be gaps between them but do they stretch between all concourses?) She would be ok with these. If so, does anyone know roughly the travel time from F to T using them?
Also are golf carts available for travel through the tunnel? How would she go about requesting one?
Thanks in advance.
#2

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
I have a question for those who are familiar with ATL.
My aunt will arrive in concourse F off an international flight and has a 2h30 connection time to a domestic flight that seems to usually leave from concourse T. She is becoming less confident with her walking and is a little less steady on her feet than she used to be, but is far from needing a wheelchair.
While I am less familiar with ATL, I understand that she'll clear immigration and customs at F and then need to proceed to T with her wheelie hand-lugagge.
She does't feel confident taking the train as it does't seem to have seats and the acceleration at stops may cause her to lose her balance.
Does the walking tunnel between concourses have moving walkways throughout? (I know there will be gaps between them but do they stretch between all concourses?) She would be ok with these. If so, does anyone know roughly the travel time from F to T using them?
Also are golf carts available for travel through the tunnel? How would she go about requesting one?
Thanks in advance.
My aunt will arrive in concourse F off an international flight and has a 2h30 connection time to a domestic flight that seems to usually leave from concourse T. She is becoming less confident with her walking and is a little less steady on her feet than she used to be, but is far from needing a wheelchair.
While I am less familiar with ATL, I understand that she'll clear immigration and customs at F and then need to proceed to T with her wheelie hand-lugagge.
She does't feel confident taking the train as it does't seem to have seats and the acceleration at stops may cause her to lose her balance.
Does the walking tunnel between concourses have moving walkways throughout? (I know there will be gaps between them but do they stretch between all concourses?) She would be ok with these. If so, does anyone know roughly the travel time from F to T using them?
Also are golf carts available for travel through the tunnel? How would she go about requesting one?
Thanks in advance.
#3
Original Poster


Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,732
Easiest thing to do would be to request assistance (cart/wheelchair) from gate to gate via the airline. But, there are seats on the people mover...they're just for these cases and located at the ends of each car. The walking tunnel would likely be too much for her. It's a very long way from F to T.
Do you know whether the moving walkways stretch end to end (and the travel time)?
Good news about the seats on the train.
#4



Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The District
Posts: 4,785
It's at least a mile and a half of tunnel between F and T. I actually can't remember how you even walk from F to E. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone who doesn't like to walk. Even with the moving sidewalks, there is a break in the middle of each set between concourses and the full width of every concourse itself. So while you are in a tunnel, you are on a walkway and then a break but when you reach the next concourse, it's walking all the way to the next tunnel. Just get on the train, grab a seat in the back and ride all the way. It's much easier.
I also agree on just getting assistance. They can put her on a "beep beep" as I started calling them as a kid... the airport golf cart things.. and get her most of the way.
Plus, walking from F to T would take a long time. I only walk to my concourse when I'm about to get on a really long flight and want to exercise first. Even using the walkways, it is a good bit of walking.
I also agree on just getting assistance. They can put her on a "beep beep" as I started calling them as a kid... the airport golf cart things.. and get her most of the way.
Plus, walking from F to T would take a long time. I only walk to my concourse when I'm about to get on a really long flight and want to exercise first. Even using the walkways, it is a good bit of walking.
#6

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
Yes, the moving walkways are present all along the tunnel; however, there are many breaks. If I remember correctly, the total distance is just over 2 miles.
#7


Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,069
if she would feel better doing it on her own, it is doable. If she arrives from Intl flight with a connection, she will likely actually clear at E concourse. It is also likely that she can get a seat in the train at E concourse, and certainly at F. Seats are at each end of the car. She would get off at the T concourse stop, turn left out of the train car and go up the escalators to T concourse. go up the 2 levels and you are at the middle of the concourse.
How you would then catch a cart, I am unsure. Maybe others have experience with that..
How you would then catch a cart, I am unsure. Maybe others have experience with that..

