Security wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport were roughly an hour long for many travelers during the early Monday morning rush, as the normal start to the work week rush mixed with tens of thousands of people flying back from Thanksgiving trips.
The long waits started well before dawn on Monday morning, and estimated wait times were nearly an hour at the main checkpoint well past 8 a.m., according to the airport’s website. Some people waited more than an hour in line.
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen about 82,000 people at Atlanta airport checkpoints on Monday, but one lane was down throughout the morning and a large number of workers called out sick, according to the agency. Those factors contributed to longer waits.
Some wait times were still more than 30 minutes after 10 a.m.
The crowds on Monday came after an exceptionally busy Sunday. TSA said it screened nearly 95,000 people at Hartsfield-Jackson checkpoints on Sunday, one of the top 10 busiest days ever at the Atlanta airport.
TSA said it had a record number of travelers nationally on Sunday, with 2.9 million travelers screened at airport checkpoints across the country. That surpassed the previous record set June 30 ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
Traffic cameras showed gridlock on I-85 South approaching the Atlanta airport exit Sunday late into the night, according to Channel 2 Action News.
TSA on Monday reminded passengers to “please arrive at the airport early.”
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
Atlanta airport and Delta Air Lines officials are recommending travelers get to the airport three hours before their departures due to long lines during busy periods.
Parking shortages due to the closure of the South economy parking lot at Hartsfield-Jackson can delay travelers trying to catch their flights.
A construction project has closed several lanes at the main checkpoint in the domestic terminal to upgrade baggage screening equipment is also limiting the airport’s security screening capacity. The project, which takes more than a year to complete, has meant longer waits.
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