Atlanta Airport

Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Oklahoma

Can anyone give me insight on traveling through Atlanta Airport? When we booked our vacation back in August, we chose Continental Airlines because we could fly from Oklahoma City to Houston, had a 3 hour layover, then on to Grand Caymans. We found out Monday that Continental no longer offered service to GC on Thursdays!!!!! Our flight was changed to Delta. We are now flying from OKC to Atlanta. We will only have (or so they say) 1 1/2 hr layover. If the plane is late at all, and by the time we land and exit the plane, we might have 45 min. Will this be enough time to change terminals? Will we be required to go through security again? We've put a request in for wheel chair assistance for my mom. She isn't an old lady by any means, but she does have knee problems. I also read that when we return from GC will be go though customs in Atlanta. Will we be able to shop the duty free areas of the GC airport and bring those items back without them being in our checked luggage? Just a few questions....thanks

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

I know that we have had several discussions about the Atlanta airport, but I just can't find them at the moment. Hopefully, there will be others who can give you some first hand advise.

It sounds like your flights were selected for you by the airlines or a travel agent......not that you hand picked them on the Internet or anything. If that's the case, then, in my opinion, they wouldn't have done that if it wasn't feasible to make that particular connection. In fact, it's not uncommon for a plane to somewhere like Grand Cayman, to wait a little bit for passengers who are running a little late on their first flight.

I think I can answer your question about the duty free purchases in the Grand Cayman airport. You will have to carry those on the plane in Grand Cayman, simply because you no longer have access to your checked baggage. But then, as I understand it, when you claim your luggage in Atlanta, you would have to pack any liquids (if you bought alcohol or perfume, for example, in GC) into your checked bags before going through security for your flight back to Oklahoma City. That's simply because of the rules against carrying on liquids.

I hope I'm right about that......but, that's how I understand it.

Char

Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Oklahoma

Thank you for your reply - it makes me feel a little better. I too thought I had read something about Atlanta's airport. Our travel agent called with the Delta details - when we first booked, we told her we didn't want to go through Miami, and that was before I read all the information from others who've traveled though there. We are way too excited about this trip, expecially today - the temps are in the low 30's, it' raining, and everything above ground has a nice icy shine to it.

Thanks again for all the wonderful information this forum provides.

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:50 am Post subject:

We flew through Atlanta a couple of years ago. Normally it's through Charlotte for us but that year Delta's flights worked better. We didn't have any problems getting through, and I think our layover was about the same. On the way back I knew there would be a problem because we were overan hour late getting out of GCM. We missed that connection but they just put us on the next one out about an hour later.

Enjoy your trip!!

RD and CC

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

edyjo,

Char is correct about what you buy in the duty free on GC...you get your bags in Atlanta and pack your purchases.....liquid that is... Laughing

in your bags before they go through customs. We did not pack our rum cakes.

We had about the same length of time as you did last year and it was easy....just hop on the tram and it will take you to your terminal.

We would have booked Delta this year, but that was not an option when we booked our package.....going through Charlotte this year.....just really happy to be avoiding Miami. Laughing

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

The Atlanta airport has a train system that is very easily marked as to what gate and is easy to get around. I worry ALL the time about getting the connecting flight and have always gotten on the expected flight........coming home was a different story last year, but that's a whole lot better than missing any island time!

It just doesn't help worrying about it.......I know because I have mastered the skill of that....and it just makes for more of a problem and an upset stomach. Even told a pilot once in the boarding area to speed it up a little.........we had places to go, things to do, going to Cayman, come ON..........

.........and to get on the plane.......he seemed amused but I think that was his pilot training in dealing with passengers kicking in

either that or he knew not to mess with a very anxious female.....he was probably married.

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:

Celine wrote:

he knew not to mess with a very anxious female.....he was probably married.

I'd like to post a reply to that remark....... but it might be hazardous to my health! Wink

.

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

The train system in Atlanta is great, just hold on and have your running shoes on. BouncingLaugh

Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Oklahoma

Thanks to everyone for your help - guess I didn't realize we would need to claim our baggage in Atlanta - new traveler here. I am the worrier of the family, but if I do it, then everyone else can sit back and relax. LOL

I love the information on Boatswain (sp) - I was showing the information to my sister - my nephews were wondering if they would be able to jump off the rock ledges?? I told them I would post the question.

Another question was - are Travelers Checks well accepted in GC?

Thanks again

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

Yes, travelers checks are accepted but we don't use them any longer.....we use cash and put most things on a credit card so we can keep track of exactly how much we spent.....our cc company does not charge extra for those purchases....I know some do.

Can't answer your question about jumping off the ledges.

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject:

edyjo..........we took travelers' checks the first year we were in Cayman and never after.........safe island, ATM machines around.......we just use cash or put on our credit cards.........sorry, can't answer other question.......too old to jump, barely walking.

Celine

Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Oklahoma

I too, am too old for jumping, ahhhh to be 22 again....NOT!

I forgot to ask another Boatswain question (if my sister would just join, she could do this her self) the article mentioned making reservations, it this required? There are several things we are going to do, but don't really want to commit to a schedule, except Soto's on Sunday, until we get there. Can we just go??

Thanks.

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

edyjo wrote:

I too, am too old for jumping, ahhhh to be 22 again....NOT!

I forgot to ask another Boatswain question (if my sister would just join, she could do this her self) the article mentioned making reservations, it this required? There are several things we are going to do, but don't really want to commit to a schedule, except Soto's on Sunday, until we get there. Can we just go??

Thanks.

I cannot see any reason why you would have to make reservations.....we went and just walked in.........although we left and did not tour the farm....at that time the prices were higher.

Just plan a day when the cruise ships are not in port.......it is much too crowded then.......not sure what you mean about your sister joining......please clarify.......don't blame you for not wanting to commit to a schedule.........we don't either.....and we only booked one thing and that is because this particular excurison goes out only on Wednesday afternoon and is limited to 10 people.

Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Oklahoma

Sorry about the confusion - if my sister would join the forum group - and she could ask her own questions.... I've logged in from her house computer and showed her how helpful this spot is - she said she is not computer smart enough LOL

Day without cruise ships - another wonderful link provided by CAG - printed off the schedule for the days we will be in town. Looks like Wednesday, May 21 will be a crowded day in the Grand Caymans. I guess we will spend the day relaxing and regretting that we leave on the 22.

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

That's probably the best way to spend your last day.......soaking up all the sand and sun you can........and then the dreaded packing. Seems like things don't fit as easily as they do on the way down.....I notice you depart on the same day we did last year..... water

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