Clearing Customs in Atlanta

[Catahoula]

We are booking flights for our next trip. On the return, our options are a 2 hour 10 minute layover in Atlanta or 4 hours plus. On previous trips, I didn't pay much attention to how long it took to get through customs and pick up rifles because we had long layovers, but I'm pretty sure it was under an hour. I'm leaning towards the shorter layover as we don't really want to hang out in Atlanta for 4-5 hours after a 15 hour flight! Is two hours enough time?

 

[cpr0312]

2 hours usually ok. It will be no problem with Global Entry, but even without it should be alright

 

[Hogpatrol]

If you have Global Entry and get off the plane quickly, you'll be first in line at the gun room and have plenty of time with the 2 hour layover.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

It was back in 2010 that my wife flew thru ATL on our trip to South Africa. On return our layover was less than 2 hours for our flight to Phoenix. We had to keep moving for sure, but even with going through having my rifle case inspected, we didn't have a problem.

 

[Ridgewalker]

September took me at least 1 1/2 hrs to get through customs, rifle check (maybe 20 people there) and Delta couldn’t make up their mind which gate I was leaving from, so I had to retrace my steps from one gate to another, then back again from different concourses (sign was wrong).

2016 our flight was delayed an hour in Joberg and took 17 hrs of flying time. Just barely made the connecting flight to Denver.

Best layed plans can easily slip away. JMO and experience.

Good luck!

 

[Buckdog]

have entered thru atl several times including this year. 2hrs is in my experience cutting it close. this May I would not have made it in 2hrs as the guys at the gun room didnt show up, long line and they were being really picky PIA, I was second in line or so I thought until they decided that all the guys with bows would be first and there was a bunch so i ended up like number 8 in line, wasnt happy especially since the bow boyz all had 10 million locks on there bow cases that they couldnt open took forever!!!, thought them bows was gold plated. If all goes well 2hrs ok if the traveling gods are not smiling on you then ouch. So I would consider 2hrs minimum.

 

[jasyblood]

I've done the 2 hour layover thing in ATL 4 times now and have only missed my connection once.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Rant mode ON because I see too many hunters unprepared, clueless and standing around with their thumbs up their asses waiting to get in the gun room: Get your ducks in a row. Get Global Entry, go with Delta custom comfort seats and get off the plane quicker, be first or second in line at the gun room, have your shoes ready to spray, out of your luggage or on your feet, have your passport and customs forms in your hand when you enter the gun room. Have your gun case lock keys in your hand, not in your pocket. Don't have more than one key for all locks. I've seen jackasses with four locks and two different keys fumbling to open their cases. In other words get your shit together BEFORE you leave the United States. Help YOURSELF, don't depend on someone else to worry about your connection. Rant mode OFF. I was there three weeks ago, I was done in a half hour and on my way to the gate to Philly and have made previous connections in less than a hour layover.
Aside from that, it's a hundred bucks for five years for Global Entry, another four hundred bucks for the Comfort seats. Average safari is 7k plus, the extra expense for the convenience is minimal in the overall cost. From this chai, trying to save what amounts to peanuts is just plain dumb.

 

[Philip Glass]

We are booking flights for our next trip. On the return, our options are a 2 hour 10 minute layover in Atlanta or 4 hours plus. On previous trips, I didn't pay much attention to how long it took to get through customs and pick up rifles because we had long layovers, but I'm pretty sure it was under an hour. I'm leaning towards the shorter layover as we don't really want to hang out in Atlanta for 4-5 hours after a 15 hour flight! Is two hours enough time?

Do you have Global Entry? If not then get it and you can do the 2 hour layover otherwise you need 3 hours to be safe. Are you in Comfort+ or Business class? The closer to the front of the plane you are the better. Go get in the gun line as soon as possible and ask others if they have a long layover to let you go ahead. Most of us would oblige if we can.
Philip

 

[Ridgewalker]

How do you get Global Entry?

 

[MMAL]

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Apply on-line and then set up an appointment at a customs entry center. quick interview and fingerprints and your in.

The nice thing about global entry is that it also gets you TSA Pre approved for all domestic flights

 

[CAustin]

We are booking flights for our next trip. On the return, our options are a 2 hour 10 minute layover in Atlanta or 4 hours plus. On previous trips, I didn't pay much attention to how long it took to get through customs and pick up rifles because we had long layovers, but I'm pretty sure it was under an hour. I'm leaning towards the shorter layover as we don't really want to hang out in Atlanta for 4-5 hours after a 15 hour flight! Is two hours enough time?

Every trip for me is the two hour layover. You do have Global Entry which makes things go quickly but you still have to wait atbthe gun room for the TSA folks to come man it. One one trip I had to go find the watch commander to get action there. She got on it and people snapped into action.

 

[Catahoula]

Thanks for the feedback. We are going to book delta comfort and the 2 hour 12 minute layover. On to the Delta site now!

 

[Catahoula]

Every trip for me is the two hour layover. You do have Global Entry which makes things go quickly but you still have to wait atbthe gun room for the TSA folks to come man it. One one trip I had to go find the watch commander to get action there. She got on it and people snapped into action.

We had that problem on our first trip. We travelled in November and there was only one other guy at the gun room. Took 30 minutes or so to get someone there.

 

[Ryan]

I came through Phili my first time with a two hour layover. We left an hour late from Frankfurt. That's all it took to throw a big curve ball into things. Add my gun case being the last piece of luggage out and inspection, which was quick, and I missed my connector to Minne/St. Paul. Thankfully the airlines really worked and got me home on time. But I won't go for less than 3 hours layover now, delays happen.
Global Entry helps, but remember it's for entry, basically paperwork and interview. You can still have any and all inspections.

 

[BWH]

I have global entry..... I was one of the first off the plane. Getting/waiting on your gun, going through custom agents, checking for blood (i.e. on shoes, etc.) can be time consuming. 2 hours will be cutting it close depending upon how busy they are. That is assuming the Delta leg is on time/early.

 

[Catahoula]

We booked with the 2 hour 12 minute layover. Cutting the trip by 3 hours was worth the risk for us. There are worse things in life than a missed connection!

 

[85Tecate]

Just came through ATL on Saturday with rifle. Wife made it through non-Global Entry faster than I could go through Global Entry...not as beneficial as it once was (both through in ~10 min). Took about 20 minutes total to clear rifle and I was 3rd in line.

 

[Ryan]

We booked with the 2 hour 12 minute layover. Cutting the trip by 3 hours was worth the risk for us. There are worse things in life than a missed connection!

I wish I could say that more often. You don't live in Alaska. Ha ha.

 

[JimP]

When I flew back 2 years ago we had the option of a 2 hour difference or the 4 hour difference if flights. We opted for the 4 hour one.

Just as we cleared customs the flight with the 2 hour difference was taking off. The one that was 4 hours difference turned into a 8 hour one due to a airline fowl up.

You just never know what is going to happen in a airport.