This will be a short post on ATL. The real reason for posting this to give those who haven't flown into this airport before a few pointers. ATL is the busiest airport in the world. It is massive and easy to get turned around. There is about 107 million passengers that go through this airport every year according -INSIDER. Stepping into that airport the first time can be overwhelming. There are so many gates , 192 gates to be exact. Gates are where the airplane parks and you get on. They fly both foreign and domestic. The gates are arranged and grouped together by airline brand. Fun fact ATL used to be a racetrack. There is a lot of things to look at in the airport, there artwork lots of shops as well. Lots to look at when you return to the airport.
When you get off the plane, you will be tempted to go run to get your luggage. You have time. It will take some time for the workers to unload the plane, load the luggage tram and drive it all the way to Timbuktu. Go to the bathroom, do your business and wash your hands. Maybe grab and snack because if your like me, I refuse to pay for $10 bag of chips. Then make your way to the Tram which connects you baggage pickup and the main entrance. When you get on the Tram you will want to stay on until you get to baggage pick up. There is a screen towards the ceiling it shows you the next stop. When you get off the tram there are signs that point you to foreign baggage pickup and domestic baggage pick up. Walk toward the correct arrow. There are screens that tell you planes arriving and which turn style your baggage will come out on. The turn styles go to the left. If your like me, I like to get my baggage as soon as it comes off. Stand to left if your crazy like me and think someone will try and steal my undies if I'm not looking.
You got your baggage, if you are taking a cab your in the right place. There are signs pointing to exit and taxi lanes and bus lanes. If you are picking up a rental, will your in for a treat. ATL has a whole building for this. You have to walk to the sky way and take another tram to the Car Rental building. I must warn you if your in a rush, your screwed. Plan to be waiting a least 1 to 2 hours to pick up your car. IF you booked your car through a discount rental like Thrifty, you will be waiting. Some car rental here are disorganized. Doesn't matter if you paid already or reserved you will wait in one line. Also, this is very time consuming there will be people waiting in line to get credit checks. IF you do not have a credit card (not ATM) they will run a credit check on you. I know this because the teller gave a whole dissertation to the entire line of 200 people waiting for cars. Another tidbit they mentioned was whatever the car cost and deposit will be deducted from your ATM, if you use one. I recommend to use a credit card. They will also try and sell you some crazy insurance plan , it is a rip off. IF you have decent car insurance at home, it will cover your rental also. IF your not sure call your rental company before going. The discount car rentals your going to wait. Enterprise has a kiosk, you go up to it, help yourself and your out of there much quicker. Of course you will pay more up front. I value my time and I would choose to never use Thrifty again , not only because of the wait time but they have some shady practices. Once you get your car, I will tell this last piece of useful info. Before your accept your car, walk around the rental, take note of every bump, scratch and ding on the car. Then ask the attendant if he will mark them off. They most likely will defer to the gate where you check out for the last time before driving off. At the gate TELL the guy you want all the defects marked off. He will most likely hand you the ticket to fill out all the dings. Follow the directions on the slip. Mark off all the mental notes you made. Add a few X's on the bump incase you hit parking sign. They will give you a copy and place this in a safe spot. SO you are not responsible for the damage to this car when you turn it back in. When returning your rental to ATL you will bring it back to the Rental building, you must follow the signs. Fill up your tank to where you got it. When you are returning it a drop and go thing. You leave the keys in the car and leave it. Make sure you take all your belongings.
Coming back to the airport, remember its super busy. Get there early 3 hours early at least. Some airline if they get there early they will start boarding the plane. They will take off early. Don't sleep in. Get up early , pack the night before and leave the hotel early. Get breakfast to go on the way to the airport. IF your leaving in the early morning , there isn't a lot open at ATL in the morning. Unless you want Popeyes Chicken for breakfast. Please people get up early and give yourself enough time to check in and get to security check point. There will be a sea of people going through the gates, you don't want to miss your flight. It will cost you more money to reschedule.
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