Welcome to Travel Swag!

Welcome to the very first edition of Travel Swag, my new (and hopefully) regular blog to keep you informed of the tips you need to know and things you need to avoid to make your travel experience as smooth as possible.  I recently started a new job that requires a fair amount of business travel.  While taking these trips, I realized there was so much I was experiencing that was simply too good to not share.  This blog will attempt to chronicle those experiences so that you, faithful reader, will learn what to do and not to do to take your travel swag to its maximum levels.  I will cover everything from frequent flier programs, airport security tips, hotel chains, entertainment options, and whatever else I feel like musing on.  This first post will review the busiest airport in the world, and one in which I spend a lot of time in.  I hope you enjoy!

AIRPORT REVIEW: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

There's a joke in the business world that when you die, you're going to have to connect through Atlanta to make it to your funeral.  If you're a Southeast traveler in the good ol' US of A, this saying isn't all together untrue.  Going for those Delta SkyMiles?  Well get prepared to spend a lot of time in the 'A.'  It's still the only city I know of whose unofficial nickname has been lifted from its airport code (ATL).  There is even a crappy movie of the same name starring T.I. that is probably airing on BET right now.

The good news is that there is actually a lot to like about Hartsfield.  The entire place smells like Chick-Fil-A (50% fried chicken, 50% intolerance), the restrooms are relatively clean, and the terminals are laid out in manner that actually makes sense.  Flight landed in Terminal A and your connection is out of Terminal C?  Simply go down the escalator and either hop on the shuttle or walk in a straight line down the hallway.  Moving walkways are even available and are usually working.

Straight lines are a rarity in airport terminals

There are some cons, but even those are not that terrible.  In certain areas, Hartsfield can feel like you're trapped inside a Vegas casino without the gambling.  Fluorescent lighting, a jarring lack of windows, and for a place where time is so critical, try finding a working clock.  If you squint hard enough, you can barely see the time at the bottom of the Departures board.

Having a long layover even in a nice airport can still be one of the most excruciating travel experiences you can endure.  If faced with this proposition in the ATL, whether by schedule or delayed due to the never ending summer rainstorms, there is one tip above all others that I can offer you.  Head directly to Terminal F, otherwise known as the International Terminal.  As a rule of thumb, most international terminals are far superior to the domestic terminals when it comes to cleanliness, crowds, restaurant quality and just about anything else you can think of.  The food courts in the domestic terminals are so crowded that I'm pretty sure SARS and a few strains of Smallpox are still surviving.

SARS alive and well

To reach Terminal F, simply take the shuttle all the way to the last stop.  I personally like the fact that this terminal is the only one not accessible by foot, all the better to keep out the riff raff.  After getting off the shuttle, take the escalator upwards and for the weary traveler, the sight that greets you will appear to resemble the pearly gates of St. Peter.

Xanadu

The first thing you will notice is the general lack of people when compared to the other busier terminals.  What people are around are more attractive, better dressed, and significantly less overweight.  The sounds of languages you can't even recognize float through the air.  The shops are nice and consist of things I might actually want to buy.

Liquor, cigars, watches!

There is also the flagship location for the Delta Sky Club, which I will one day find a way to make it inside.

You will be mine someday, Sky Club

Hungry?  This is definitely the place you need to be.  Almost no lines at any restaurant, plenty of tables to spread out, and options for every ethnic food you can think of are available here.  You can even fill up on tasty burgers at ATL's own Varsity!

I almost didn't believe it when I saw it

Remember this wonderful oasis the next time you find yourself with 3 hours to kill inside Hartsfield and thank me later.  With the aid of the International Terminal, I give the ATL a swaggerific rating of 4 out of 5 cashmere slippies.