What happens when connecting in Atlanta?

Question

I have flown a few times before but never had to make a connection. This month I am flying from London to Atlanta to get a connecting flight to Charleston, SC.

What happens? Do I need to collect my baggage and re-check in? How difficult is it? Do I go through immigration/border control at Atlanta, Charleston, or both? Do I leave the arrivals area completely and start "back at the beginning" in departures?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You will go through immigration/border control in Atlanta only.

You will get off plane, walk to customs/immigration....collect your bag and then place it back on a conveyor to be brought to your next flight.  When you check the bag in London, it will have a tag showing it to be checked all the way to Charleston.  So, when you put it on the conveyor after customs, it already has the little checked baggage strip on it, so it is a very simple process.  Once you place it back on the conveyor after customs, you will then proceed out of customs and make your way to your next gate...which will probably be at another concouse, but there is an underground tram that will take you there.  I believe the international concourse is E and you will most likely depart for Charleston out of A or B, so just get on that tram and then it will take you to that concourse, go up the steep elevator and find your gate.  If you end up departing out of A or B, and are hungry, there are tons of food/shops etc in those concourses.

Have a good trip!

Answer 2

No none of that happens. You get off your flight at 1 gate and go to another gate to get on your last plane to your final destination. It really isn't bad at all.

Answer 3

I haven't done this in Atlanta, but went through it in Philadelphia once. I went through immigration and customs, and they had separated out all the bags that were going onto connecting flights. So after I got through, someone from the airline was waiting to take my bag and re-check it. Then I went to the gate for my next flight - I never had to leave the terminal, check in again or go through security again.

You only go through customs and immigration when you're entering the country - you won't have to do it again in Charleston.