Anyone know about ATL Airport...Connecting Flight with Short Layover ...

[CC(US)]

Thanks everyone for your input. Sorry I went MIA for a few days. The Independence Holiday and then I could not remember my N.com password. TY ROB!!!
Yeah this decision kinda sucks not just cause they moved up the layover to 37 mins, but also downsized our plane. First leg is a Canadian Airjet 900 and you know the overhead cargo space is about as large as a shoe box (women's shoes, not boots LOL). Good chance our luggage would not make it on the next flight with only 36 mins from touch down to takeoff.

We are still sleeping on it, but leaning more towards taking the later flight, it has a longer layover and get us into Mobay at 3:05pm instead of 1pm on Thanksgiving. Since there is only 2 flights that day, we need to really think about if we want to take the chance. Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving worse than being stuck in the ATL airport. OMG no way.
One option is stay one extra day. We both have limited vacation time but we might be able to swing that. Honestly we NEED IT BAD. This is first time back to JA in over 3 yrs and really the first real vacation we have had in 3yrs. And we plan to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. so maybe playing it safe is a beter bet for this trip.

Thanks for all the good information about changes to ATL International terminal. Its good to know. Love this board for all the help you guys give people including myself.

Have a good weekend folks.

Twister,.....you and your wife going be in JA during this time? Just checking.

[Mr. Twister]

Twister,.....you and your wife going be in JA during this time? Just checking.

No. We are going to be there for the next holiday. Xmas & New Years! Wish I could see you. Maybe next trip ;-)

I'm going to talk to some local friends about the airport. This is bugging me since we fly so much. Gotta get if figured out....lol. Linda will be at the airport next week. Worse case scenario she'll find out then. We are on vacation at home right now so no flying this week

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

I have travelled to Jamaica ON the actual day of Thanksgiving Day a couple of times now. I can't say for sure, now, with the new airline policies of less planes and more crowded planes - but a few years ago, in 2008 and 2010, it was a great travel day. Because it is the only day that whole week when there were very few travellers AND they didn't jack up the fares trying to get people like me to fly that day. The other days usually set records, but not that day. Think about it - everyone else flies the few days before and heads home the few days after.,

As for the short layover in ATL - I would do what you could to avoid it. Since THEY made a change like this, do they allow you to change to go thru, say, Charlotte, Orlando, or even Baltimore (sorry it's been awhile since flown Delta so not sure of connecting cities to MBJ). As others have said, in ATL you will definitely have to change terminals. And if you have the bad luck of both arriving at a gate way out at the end of one terminal, and departing at a gate also at the end of another - it's a long walk/run to/from the center of each terminal (where Ground Transportation is) to catch the Tram/bus/whatever.

If it were me, I would switch to the later flight - getting in to MoBay at 3PM ain't that bad. Who wants that stress if the worse happens. Not to mention Thanksgiving could have snow and delay your initial flight to Miami - getting in even later. Doubtful in Memphis - but who knows where that plane is arriving from.

Best of luck.

[Mr. Twister]

I was just at the Atlanta Airport. The Plane Train map clearly shows that it runs both TO and FROM the new International terminal. I'm not sure why or even if the shuttle buses are being used at this point.

[poolguywindsor]

Will know more after aug 2nd, as I have a short layover in Atlanta coming from Detroit.

[CC(US)]

ok I'm back again with an update. So I changed to the later flight to have a longer layover and twice they have changed this flight as well. I'm so screwed. I went from a 37 min layover and changed my plane ticket to the later flight and now Delta knocked the layover from 1 1/2 hrs to 1 hour EXACTLY. I'm coming in from MEM which usually is on time and I'm on a Canadian Airjet like 7th-8th row so I'm pretty close to the front. We will NOT be bringing anymore than small backpack cause you know it can take a few minutes to get carry on's outta the plane into the gate area.

Oh and this is the last flight Delta has going to Mobay that day. There are only two on THanksgiving. My luck go figure.

As for arriving in ATL from another domestic flight after reading all the comments which I greatly appreciate, I'm confused.
Can I take the tram from a domestic terminal to the new Internation terminal or do I have to wait for bus? If its a bus where do I catch it? So confusing.
Someone told me it runs only every 15 mins, but I think that's bogus...can someone verify its faster than that?

We are flying Business Elite in First Class on the trips from ATL to Mobay and Delta offered to provide us with an assist in one of those carts, but I am starting to feel very guilty about using that when someone who might not truly be able to run (unlike the 2 of us) won't have that option. On the other hand I haven't been in ATL in years and really worried I will take a wrong turn.

Honestly if I could just run through the airport I could probably find it easier than waiting on a bus, tram, etc.

I remember the days when you could have someone call the departing gate and let them know you were on your way. Guess those days are long gone.

Any suggestions i'm open. 1 hr and that's hoping there are no delays.

[captaind]

CC (US)

I go through Hartsfield-Jackson 20 times a year (In North Florida we say "when you die if you're going to Heaven or Hell you're going through Atlanta)

Check out at which gate your flight arrives on any given day. Most times it will be the same at which you will arrive . Check out which gate your Delta leaves from using the same parameters)

When you know that I will help you figure it out ....

Cap

[poolguywindsor]

Yep we passed through the new terminal both ways in Aug and the tram thing goes to the new terminal no problem, no bus!

[Mr. Twister]

If you look about 5 posts up ....I confirmed all this in July I know for a fact as I've done it myself....that you can get to the International terminal by the Plane Train tram and there is no need to ride a bus.

[CC(US)]

Thanks Twister for the confirmation. I'm glad to hear we won't need to take a bus. I'll check on the gates the night before and prepare with the airport map. And wear my running shoes!!!