Need Advice ASAP re: Flight Tomorrow...
 

Leave for Paris tomorrow morning, 1st visit.<BR>I travel a ton within the US so am not a novice so to speak. I usually only carry-on my bag, but was thinking of checking in my<BR>bag this trip and carry on 1 small bag & purse.<BR><BR>I have been tracking my Delta flight daily this week. We are set to depart at 8:55 PST,<BR>arriving in Atlanta at 4:00 EST, terminal A. The flight has been late every dang day this week. Our flight to Paris departs at 5:35EST<BR>out of terminal E.<BR><BR>I have flown in an out of ATL many times and it can be a nitemare. I am now thinking to<BR>just buy the umbrella, bic razor, tweezers and anything else that could be considered a weapon in Paris!!! LOL<BR><BR>Thought anyone of you international veteran's? Delta says not to worry, yeah, right!<BR>Thanks<BR>kjl

I'd leave all the potential weapons in the checked luggage or buy them in Paris. But you'll still have to go through the line to get yourself searched.

well, that early? no one else will be there, LIKELY. few flights...<BR><BR>if you get bumped, you will get a free flight, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.<BR><BR>is there an online map for you to track out your running route?<BR><BR>how big is your usual carry on? can you run with it?<BR><BR>(I am not one to talk, I am uber-bag lady!!)<BR><BR>HRH

Wayne,<BR><BR>I'm thinking of not expanding my bag and checking it in, just going with it as a carry-on. Buy the stuff I need in Paris.<BR><BR>Going from terminal A to E should be a ton of fun on a Friday!!!<BR><BR>kjl

Chance you can catch an earlier flt to Atlanta? If you arrive early enough, they'll put you on for no extra charge. This gives you a bigger cushion between flts. If you can, it is worth the extra layover time.

I second Ann's advice! As an ex airline employee I always recommend that if you connect in the US it is always good to give yourself cushion just in case. Call the airline tonight and ask them how it looks for standby to Atlanta. Sometimes if they say they are over booked you can get on. There are always no-shows, especially on the morning flights. I am so jealous I wish I was in Paris right now. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It is truly an amazing city. Good luck and give us details when you return from your trip how it went! Have a safe trip!

Take one of the 9 automated trains that run about every 2 min. From the main terminal it is 21/2 miles to terminal E (international departures). The train should get you there quick. Since your luggage is already checked through to Paris you only have to go through security.

You can get an idea of availability for the earlier AM flights by visiting Delta's web site (go through the motions of booking on-line on the earlier flight, and it will show what's available seatwise at that point). <BR><BR>Unless the flight from the west coast is very late indeed, though, you should be able to make your connection in Atlanta no problem. You'll already have gone through security in your originating airport, so you'll go directly to your connection using the trains (ALWAYS use the trains between terminals at Hartsfield, even if it's only between A and B; if you are running or taking the moving sidewalks you are either feeble-minded or have time on your hands). There's no separate security check-in for international flights. <BR><BR>If you've checked your luggage it should make it, though I pretty much never check a bag (and so now purchase "pokey things" at my destination---France is no problem, just walk into the local Monoprix for this sort of thing).<BR><BR>Your return is more problematic, of course, as you'll have to go through immigration and customs in Atlanta(which means you've have to retrieve your bag and re-check it if you've packed too much---another great reason to take a carry-on). So you'll need more time on the return (but it's pretty quick if you don't check anything---I've never had a long wait there). <BR><BR>Hartsfield is a bit less crowded post 9/11, as only ticketed passengers (and a few exceptions like parents of unaccompanied minors) are now permitted in the terminals.