nini

I have to agree with all the previous negative comments about AtlantaHJ. It is the worst--long lines, going back through security after customs, rude, rude employees, etc. No complaints with Miami customs and immigration. But AHJ is our usual experience.

Kay2

ATL immigration is unpredictable, depending on the number of flights arriving and how many agents they have on duty. It helps to be toward the front of your plane of several hundred people. Everyone US goes into one cattle chute queue and all non-US citizens/residents go into another queue, so there is no searching for the shortest line.

Then it's down two escalators to the baggage area. This part of the process is totally unpredictable, depending on how fast the ground crew unloads your luggage. This is why I prefer carryon if at all possible when coming into ATL.

Customs is a breeze unless you are bringing back foods, the beagle picks you out, or you are arriving from certain countries.

If you have checked bags, then you have to give them back at the next counter. I must admit they have redone this area with better signage.

Then it's through the usual security check with shoes off, liquids, etc. I've usually found this to be a bottleneck as people seem to have much more to take off/put back on, gather, etc. after their international flight than when they got on.

It's helpful to review what Concourse and Gate your onward flight normally departs from. You will be arriving at Concourse E and if your flight departs from A,B,C,D,or T, you will need to go down the escalator and ride or walk to the proper concourse. Just double check a monitor to make sure the flight is at is "usual" gate.