11 Game-Changing ATL Airport Hacks

Ideally a trip to/from the world's busy airport would lead to nothing but good times, but if you make all the wrong decisions then every moment you spend at Hartsfield-Jackson International will be like that one song by Michael Jackson, or the career of Latoya Jackson... "Bad." To avoid that, just check out our list of 11 airport hacks...

Wikimedia/DeKalb

1. Take MARTA there. Don’t park.

Either before or after your BAR-TA trip, take the A-Town train all the way South. With our horrible traffic (and drivers), this is one of the few good uses or our admittedly limited transit system.
 

2. Take a free hotel shuttle, then get your car service

ATL PD are cracking down on getting picked up via smartphone at the airport, so take advantage of free shuttles to get off-site quickly. It doesn’t matter which chain is listed on the side of the mini bus, just hop aboard and set your app for a pick up at your destination “hotel.”

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3. Don’t use the main security checkpoint

All the signs point you to the massive cluster of humanity between the two gates. Do not follow them! Find the North or South security lines, which are almost always shorter. If you’re really slick, use the airport’s security Trak-a-Line to really breeze through.

Flickr/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

4. Or, skip all security lines alogether

The most valuable $85 you ever spent is on a TSA PreCheck, which lets you blow past people waiting in line (and avoid all that disturbing eye contact with the screener as you’re putting your belt back on). Opt for the $100 Global Entry and you get all that plus you get through Customs and Border Protection quicker.

Flickr/James Bastable

5. Hit the club

Since this is the city where the players play, plenty of beer spots and “clubs” have opened in various terminals. Jay Z’s 40/40 Club can be found in Concourse D -- there’s no cover charge, and it’s more of a shiny sports bar, so don’t worry if you’re not fully dressed -- or stop by the Blue Moon Brewhouse in Concourse E if you aren’t as worried about impressing your bae.
 

6. Have as much as you can (safely) drink and snack on for $50

Day passes to the airlines’ first-class lounges are a surprisingly unknown pay-to-play perk. For the price of a few rounds and sandwich, you can get all-access to drinks, snacks, and a chill vibe away from the screaming kids and people eating weird, homemade-food. Being a Delta hub, you’re tripping over Sky Clubs at every turn, but a handful of other airlines have 'em too.
 

7. Mix your own cocktail?

You can usually get at least six 50ml (formerly “airplane”) bottles of liquor into your allowed one quart plastic bag, but full disclosure, it is a federal violation to consume any booze on board that hasn’t been poured by a “certificate holder,” aka your flight attendant. Of course, we’re not advocating any outlaw behavior, but for entertainment purposes, here are some tight in-flight craft cocktail recipes.

Flickr/Scott Beale

8. Use the water fountains?!

Yup! For your hydration needs, specially designed bottle-filling fountains have been installed so you aren’t forced to throw away your screw-top at security. Pack an empty drinking vessel, and you can fill it in once you're through.

PETE DOMBROSKY/Thrillist

9. Set your dating app to a one mile radius

Maybe you'll make a friend flying to your destination, share a few drinks at the premium lounge, and end up getting a free ride when you land (in a car, that is, you deviant).
 

10. Get a quick nap in

A daybed sofa, pillows, and fresh blankets in a fully secluded napping or working station are yours for $30 an hour. That price tag includes a full audio-visual setup with satellite TV, Internet, a phone, a desk, and an office chair. Sure beats slumping onto the shoulder of the Grandmother on her way to Phoenix.

Flickr/Nicole Mays

11. Board the first car of the tram when arriving

Because when it gets to baggage claim, you’ll be the first on those giant escalators to ground level and the first to your luggage carousel.

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