Atlanta help..

[mbb]

Parents are flying into ATL on AirTran - arriving ConcourseC..?

They depart the next day on AirCanada - ConcourseD...?

Can someone help me describe to them the North/South stuff?
And where do they pick up their luggage?
And drop off the next morning?

Mom is in a wheelchair - and they need a hotel for the night with easy, reliable shuttle service.

Thanks so much!!

 

[mbb]

Trying again today

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Arriving in ATL, your folks would proceed from their C gate to the underground rail system (there are signs...also an elevator for your mom). The train will take them to the last stop, which is where they pick up their bags (after proceeding up a level via the elevator)...bag location should be announced by the flight crew and will be on the display monitor at baggage claim.

Any of the airport hotels will have a regular shuttle service...the driver can drop them off at the most convenient location for the AirCanada desk. Always best to leave extra time in ATL due to high volume.

 

[CarolA]

when they arrive there luggage will be on one of the belts on the South concourse. When the train drops them off at baggage claim they go up the elevator to the level and follow the signs to South. Then read the mointors for thier flight. This is the only time N/S really matters.

The closest hotel is a Renissance. Fairly costly.

I have used the Airport Courtyard, good service. There's a Hilton etc. You name it.

Is your mom able to transfer from the chair? Most of the hotel shuttles don't look too handicapped friendly so you might want to call the hotels directly if she can't do a few steps.

Returning to the airport just tell the shuttle driver which airline. They drop you off right at the airline. Get your bags checked and follow the signs to the security and gates. North/South makes no difference one secuirty check point. After security back downstairs and take the tram to D.

 

[mbb]

Thanks oh so much, Flyin2MCO and CarolA

Just being able to tell them what to look for, and the tram situation will better prepare them

Mom is able to walk small amounts, and transferring is no problem for her...it just gets difficult for Dad to push the wheelchair, arrange for luggage and worry about where to go next - so thank you so much.

I just can't be with them to get them home this time, and it seems it gets harder and harder for them, especially a "new" airport.

And having "wheelchair assist" on all their reservations doesn't necessarily mean they'll get it, sadly

So any tips are so much appreciated!

Thanks again!

 

[CarolA]

Tell them to mention to the FAs when they board that they need a wheelchair in Atlanta. That generally helps as when the FAs open the door they tell the gate agent how many chairs they need.

When they get dropped off to come back the skycaps can get them a wheelchair assist. I would tell dad to check luggage there, tip and ask for assist.

 

[SueM in MN]

Tell them to mention to the FAs when they board that they need a wheelchair in Atlanta. That generally helps as when the FAs open the door they tell the gate agent how many chairs they need.

When they get dropped off to come back the skycaps can get them a wheelchair assist. I would tell dad to check luggage there, tip and ask for assist.

Good suggestions

 

[mbb]

Tell them to mention to the FAs when they board that they need a wheelchair in Atlanta. That generally helps as when the FAs open the door they tell the gate agent how many chairs they need.

When they get dropped off to come back the skycaps can get them a wheelchair assist. I would tell dad to check luggage there, tip and ask for assist.

Thanks Carol and Sue

Mom has her own chair, and it's gatechecked, so it's always right there waiting for her...

They have minimal carry-on luggage - Dad has learned that he has to have his hands free, in case he has to transport mom.

Or they get taken to their gate in lots of time, and left...and then the gate changes...

Or the plane arrives, they get taken to the top of the jetway, and that's as far as the employee can go...

That's happened just too many times.

So I've learned, the better I prepare them, the better able they are to cope

And thanks for your assistance!!

 

[safetymom]

I've gotten the Renaissance at pretty good rates most of the time. Here is a list of hotels near the airport.

I love watching the planes take off and land from my room at the Renaissance. The shuttle was very good there.

 

[Edd]

There is a site called Taxi-ATL.com. Go there and look five topics down to Atlanta Airport General Information. Click on that link and you will get to information about the airport. If you scroll down about halfway you will see a diagram of the complete Atlanta Airport. With the prvious posts you can might be able to come up with some good answers for your Mom. There is also a bunch of good information on the site if you click into the other topics.