If I've n international flight to Dallas via Atlanta, can I go out of ATL Airport or do I have to stay inside?
If someone wants to see me at the Atlanta airport, then how that works???
Atlanta - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Depends on how long the time is between your connecting flights, and how the legs of your flight are arranged. Assuming you're coming into the country through Atlanta, you'll deplane at the International Concourse, which is separate from the main domestic concourse by a couple of miles and a series of train rides. Most likely, the next leg of your flight (from Atlanta to Dallas) will be on a domestic carrier, which would depart from a domestic concourse (A, B, C, D). You'll have to come through U.S. customs and check your bags, which would then be rechecked to continue on to your final destination (Dallas). Again, depending on how long the time is between your arrival and departure flights, you could have time to meet someone in the main terminal complex, where ticketing and baggage claim and security are located ... again, a train ride away from the gate concourses I mentioned above. There's a large mall / atrium / gathering place there to meet up with visitors, but thats as far into the airport non-travlers can go (you have to have a ticket to go to the gate areas). And keep in mind no matter what that you'll have to pass through several security checkpoints no matter what your plans, and those take time. If you meet a friend in the main terminal, for example, give yourself plenty of time (an hour at least) to get back through the main security checkpoints and to your departure gate to Dallas. Remember, the Atlanta airport is the largest and busiest in the world ... it's a model of effeciency on most days, but you never know what might happen. Does this help?
2 :
If you have cleared your customs and immigration, then you are free to leave the airport. Presuming that your immigration will be at your port of entry (Hartsfield-Jackson Airport), you would ask them to come to the airport and meet you at the concourse of the International terminal (Arrivals) when you come out after clearing your customs and immigration. You might want to confirm this with your travel agent.
3 :
Part of Floyd P.'s answer is wrong. Only ticketed passengers are allowed past the security checkpoints in all U.S. airports. So unless you need help to get to the front of the airport (you're in a wheelchair, you're elderly, etc.) from the party meeting you, the person cannot meet you at Concourse E when you come out of Customs. With that said, here's what you do. When you come in on an international flight, you will go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Concourse E. Upstairs is what is commonly referred to as immigration, as it used to be the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) before 9/11 and the Dept. of Homeland Security. This is where you're cleared to enter the USA (showing passport, etc.). You then go downstairs to a massive baggage claim area and get your bags. IMPORTANT--be sure to get your bags!!! They are NOT checked through to Dallas!!!!! They may be tagged through, but they will NOT be checked through!!! You will then clear U.S. Customs and in the next room is a baggage recheck area. On the far right hand side of the room are two bag belts. Drop your DFW-tagged bags on the belt. If for some reason the bags are not tagged through to DFW, you need to go to the baggage recheck desk across from the belts and have an agent tag them for Dallas. You will then clear a security checkpoint and then make an immediate right, then a left to the down escalators. Take the airport train to the "Terminal/Baggage Claim" stop. That is 6 stops from Concourse E. When you get there, go up the escalators. The person who's meeting you should stand at behind the stanchions the airport has set up near the rental car counters that you'll see as soon as you get off the escalators. This brings out outside the main security checkpoint, so if you go somewhere to eat or whatever, make sure you're back to clear security in time to make your flight to DFW.
