Short layover in Atlanta to Port Canaveral

[fourkittys]

I am very worried about this:

. Have a cruise in Port Canaveral and flying from Indianapolis to Melborn, Fl. on Sunday Nov. 29 and have Delta flights booked for the day before. Delta has changed the schedule so our layover time in ATLANTA is only 35 min. My DH and I are in our 70's with bad knees. How in the world do they expect us to get to our connection (even if they are on time) in that huge airport? We were in that airport last fall and felt completley lost. ESverything I have read recommends at least 45 min. Map of airport is so confusing. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!.

[Tminish]

If the airline is the one who actually was the cause of the layover and it wasn't something you originally booked I would imagine the airport would assist you as much as possible. They have people driving golf carts around so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to help you. I would probably be in touch with someone ahead of time just to give them a heads up. I live here in Georgia and I agree, the Atlanta airport is enormous. I hope that everything works out for you.

Safe travels.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Since they changed the schedule, they should allow you to change your flights for free. I would call them and see if you can maybe take an earlier flight to ATL or a later one from ATL.

[firemanbobswife]

Oh, and if that is your only flight option, then I would ask for wheelchair assistance. They will have them waiting upon your arrival, and they can get you where you need to go quickly. Since you both have bad knees, it's not like you're making up an illness to take advantage of the service. They will hold the plane for you if you're being escorted in a wheelchair (for a reasonable amount of time).

[FireEater]

Wife just went thru Atlanta using Delta last month. She has to use their wheelchair and golf cart service. She had a 60 min lay over there and told me she had enough time even having to wait to be last off. 35 min sounds tight, especially with the luggage moving from plane to plane.

 

It might help to know the gate number prior to landing in Atlanta that will take you to Melbourne. This way, you can walk off and get a cart as soon as possible to take you to the trains to get you to the right terminal at least then catch another cart there to the gate needed to get you into Florida. Might not hurt to ask the Flight Attendant or the Gate Reps to set up a ride for you.

[fourkittys]

Thanks so much for the above suggestions!!!! Neither of us need wheel chairs but our knees will make in impossible for us to HURRY to our connection. If we could get some sort of transportation would be ideal but when and who do I contact for this service.?

[Delta Dear]

Absolutely use the wheelchair assistance. My husband and I do for every flight. We are in our 70s, too. He has bad legs and back, and I have bad knees. It is well worth the tips that we give, to have that service.

 

The only down side is that at peak times, sometimes you have to wait for someone to come with the chairs. If the gates are not close together, that can be an issue. ATL is one of the busiest. I would call the airline and tell them you MUST be given a different flight.

 

Let us know how it works out for you.

[chas329mi]

Delta changed our flight to Miami on Nov 20th so we only had 37 mins to connect in Detroit, I called and they changed my flight to the day before for free no questions asked.

[firemanbobswife]

Thanks so much for the above suggestions!!!! Neither of us need wheel chairs but our knees will make in impossible for us to HURRY to our connection. If we could get some sort of transportation would be ideal but when and who do I contact for this service.?

 

Request a wheelchair as soon as you arrive at your original departing airport before checking in at the curb. They will wheel you to your gate and make sure you get on OK. Then the Flight Attendants will radio ahead before you land and have another wheelchair waiting (hopefully - if it's not so busy like a previous poster said).

 

My mom had to do this the last time she came to visit me. Her back was acting up and like you, she's not disabled in anyway, but she felt that she wouldn't be able to navigate ATL while dragging her carry on bag without it causing her more problems. She has issues on and off, and that morning was proving to be a bad day already at 5:30AM. She also had a tight connection and she is grateful she took my advice. Made it much less stressful and she didn't have to aggravate her back worse and sit and suffer more all the way to MSP.

 

Oh, and she only had like a 40 min layover and had to go from Southwest to AirTran. Still made it in plenty of time using the wheelchair service. She has no doubt that she never would have made it without it.

Edited June 27, 2014 by firemanbobswife

[dcikon2]

I love flying in and out of Atlanta; however, 35 minutes would be concerning to me. If possible, see if you can change your flight.

[Tminish]

Thanks so much for the above suggestions!!!! Neither of us need wheel chairs but our knees will make in impossible for us to HURRY to our connection. If we could get some sort of transportation would be ideal but when and who do I contact for this service.?

 

 

I would suggest calling (404)549-9248. This is for a Customer Care Representative. They assist travelers throughout the airport as you enter and exit the plane. Explain your situation to them. Don't feel bad about using this assistance. I hope that this helps.

 

 

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[realjd]

If it makes you feel better, Delta has flights to Orlando hourly. If you miss one, it's usually easy to get on the next one.

[Skywench]

I wouldn't feel comfortable with that little amount of time. Even when all conditions are perfect (weather, ATC, etc) I would still prefer a longer layover. If you do request a wheelchair, just consider that they bring them down the jetway at the end of the deplaning process and they sometimes may take a long time to come, even though they have been called. Yes, Atlanta is a huge airport, but not a confusing one. You just need to follow the signs and give yourself ample time. The trains run between concourses continuously if you have to change concourses and as others have mentioned, there are carts that run up and down the concourses too.

[Tempo]

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what ever you do have Delta change you flight. You need more time in ATL.

Good luck

[Fla Senior]

Thanks so much for the above suggestions!!!! Neither of us need wheel chairs but our knees will make in impossible for us to HURRY to our connection. If we could get some sort of transportation would be ideal but when and who do I contact for this service.?

 

When you check in at the airport, tell them you need special assistance in Atlanta. Also tell the flight attendants when you board. They will then arrange for you to be met at the gate. Hope you have a great cruise.

[SusieKay]

My daughter lives in Atlanta and we fly there often. It is also our airport of choice for connections since we are used to it. That being said I would NEVER accept a connection of less than 60-90 minutes. Two hours is better. Air traffic is so heavy there at times that your plane can land on time but not be allowed to the gate because the earlier flight is still there. So you sit on the plane and wait. Delta uses all the terminals-there are at least four-and there is no guarantee your departing flight will be in the same terminal you arrive in. If you have to change terminals you must go down a steep escalator with your hand luggage , get on a tram, get off at the proper stop, back up the escalator, and find your gate. Even if you were first off the plane and knew where you were going it would be a challenge. Don't do it. Insist that Delta change you to another flight!

 

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[Socref124]

I am very worried about this:

. Have a cruise in Port Canaveral and flying from Indianapolis to Melborn, Fl. on Sunday Nov. 29 and have Delta flights booked for the day before. Delta has changed the schedule so our layover time in ATLANTA is only 35 min. My DH and I are in our 70's with bad knees. How in the world do they expect us to get to our connection (even if they are on time) in that huge airport? We were in that airport last fall and felt completley lost. ESverything I have read recommends at least 45 min. Map of airport is so confusing. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!.

 

Why Melbourne and not Orlando? I believe all the Delta flights are in the same concourse in Atlanta so you getting to the connection shouldn't be a problem. Your luggage, on the other hand, is the problem. I would notify Delta in advance of your physical situation so they are aware and can have assistance for you in Atlanta. Good luck and have a great cruise.

[sparky-elpaso]

Definitely call the airline and tell them that the layover time is not acceptable. Check the schedule on the airline website so you have an idea what's available.

[Bulldog3777]

I have good knees and would never accept a 35 min layover. I fly Delta all the time. They will change the flight at no cost.

[mlrm]

Why Melbourne and not Orlando? I believe all the Delta flights are in the same concourse in Atlanta so you getting to the connection shouldn't be a problem. Your luggage, on the other hand, is the problem. I would notify Delta in advance of your physical situation so they are aware and can have assistance for you in Atlanta. Good luck and have a great cruise.

 

Delta flights are on many different concourses in Atlanta. However you hit the real problem spot on. The Luggage. Even if their plane landed on time and went straight to a gate there is a good chance their bags won't make it. Any type of delay getting to the gate, forget about the bags. Also someone else said just jump on the next flight. Don't count on that, as flights are almost always full these days. I would suggest calling Delta.

[gtalum]

To echo everyone here, 35 minutes would be a very tight connection at ATL even in a perfect situation. With bad knees it could take you 30 minutes or more just to move from arrival gate to departure gate if you are unlucky at all. Call Delta to get them to reschedule you. They should do it with no extra charge.

 

While at ATL don't be afraid to ask for help. They will put you on an electric cart and zip you to where you need to go. :)

Edited June 27, 2014 by gtalum

[CoasterJoe]

I would give Delta a call they should be able to change your flights to give you more time. I think the minimum recommended connection time at ATl is 40 min.

[morganboys]

delta is notorious for changing your flights. I would bet it will change several more times before November. last time we flew delta our flights changed more than a dozen times. since they changed you just call them and you should be able to change for free. once you find one that works hope they don't change it again. we flew united a few weeks ago for our cruise and they changed our flights multiple times. one change sent us through Newark NJ with a layover time of 25 minutes. other change our layover in Newark was 8 & 1/2 hours. one change sent us to Cleveland with no flight from Cleveland to home. When I called they told me they didn't add the flight home from Cleveland because they didn't have one going to Kansas city.

[Eng23]

Why Melbourne and not Orlando? I believe all the Delta flights are in the same concourse in Atlanta so you getting to the connection shouldn't be a problem. Your luggage, on the other hand, is the problem. I would notify Delta in advance of your physical situation so they are aware and can have assistance for you in Atlanta. Good luck and have a great cruise.

 

Delta uses all concourses in Atlanta. There are 7 concourses in Atlanta, from experience connections are not always on the same concourse that your flight arrives on.

[Sumsss]

When we flew through Atlanta in February our gate changed eight times in fifteen minutes. Definitely get that connecting flight changed.