Holiday travel survival guide to Atlanta's airport

Holiday travel survival guide to Atlanta's airport
November 23, 2011
Jennifer Leslie
Hapeville 11 Alive.com

TLANTA -- Wednesday will be on one of the busiest travel days of the year at the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.

As many as 57,000 passengers are expected to start their travel day in Atlanta on Wednesday, but Sunday and Monday are expected to be even busier.

On a normal travel day, about 35,000 to 40,000 passengers originate their travel in Atlanta. Passenger volume is expected to be 3 percent higher this Thanksgiving than last.

Passengers will notice some security changes, including new rules that allow children 12 and under not have to take off their shoes or hats for screening.

Plus, pat-downs of children will be used only as a last resort.

There are also new body scanning machines that use a generic outline of a person instead of those specific images that were so controversial.

Some Delta passengers will be able to take advantage of a pilot program called TSA pre-check, a faster screening process for those who agree to share more information with the TSA.

The limits on liquids have not changed. Passengers can only carry on liquids up to 3.4 oz in volume. The liquid containers must all fit in one quart-sized plastic bag per person.

The only exceptions are medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk, but those are still subject to inspection.

Passengers are not allowed to carry on cranberry sauce or bottles of wine or champagne for their Thanksgiving meals.

Cakes and pies are allowed but will have to go through x-ray machines.