New Atlanta airport master plan eyes new gates, sixth runway (Newnan: 2015, house)

[Mossberg]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i have a question: is it possible to go through security and visit the concourses without taking a flight? i would like to go and see all these improvements but i have nowhere to fly to.

I believe there is a movement brewing to allow non-ticketed persons in the secured areas again. Pittsburgh has just done this. Maybe HJ will be doing the same soon.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...-11/612037001/

Care to do some shopping at the airport, even if you're not flying? Or walk a loved one to the gate before their flight?

You’ll be able to do that starting next week at Pittsburgh International. The airport is now poised to become the first U.S. airport allow non-fliers regular access into its gate-side terminal areas since security measures changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

The airport has won approval from the Transportation Security Administration for non-ticketed customers to pass through security, though they will still have to go through the same screening as those catching flights. They’ll also be required to show ID so they can be vetted against no-fly lists.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Mossberg

I believe there is a movement brewing to allow non-ticketed persons in the secured areas again. Pittsburgh has just done this. Maybe HJ will be doing the same soon.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...-11/612037001/

Pittsburgh doesn't see the amount of passenger traffic that HJIA sees. Doing so would mean hundreds or thousands more people in a confined space.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Pittsburgh doesn't see the amount of passenger traffic that HJIA sees. Doing so would mean hundreds or thousands more people in a confined space.

I was thinking the same, cq.

Concourses A & B at peak times in particular are almost unbelievably packed. Pittsburgh was one of the first Airports to have a heavy restaurant and retail presence on the concourses, back when it was a new hub for US Airways. They even promoted it as the 'Air Mall.' Now that the hub is long gone, the businesses there are on life support.

It's a cool concept, but I don't see this ever happening here.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by Mossberg

I believe there is a movement brewing to allow non-ticketed persons in the secured areas again. Pittsburgh has just done this. Maybe HJ will be doing the same soon.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...-11/612037001/

I like this. I remember the good old days of greeting your family as they got off the airplane, not as they came up that huge escalator.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

I like this. I remember the good old days of greeting your family as they got off the airplane, not as they came up that huge escalator.

On some nights it feels weird coming up the escalator with the number of people waiting on the other side. It makes me really like those handrail barricades.

[magnetar]

I guess I'm not a good friend; when I pick someone up from the airport, if I'm feeling really generous I'll wait for them in the cell phone lot. If I'm not I'll pick them up at the MARTA station in my neighborhood.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by magnetar

I guess I'm not a good friend; when I pick someone up from the airport, if I'm feeling really generous I'll wait for them in the cell phone lot. If I'm not I'll pick them up at the MARTA station in my neighborhood.

I would say you're a very good friend, either situation is nice of you.

[pezzy669]

Originally Posted by JMatl

Exactly. The number and quality of the restaurants, bars & shops has become pretty impressive as well.

The raising of the roof and the new walls of glass coming to A & B are going to transform the entire feeling of these amazingly busy concourses.

The orange panels are coming off of the exterior of the concourses as well, being replaced with a smoky-grey reflective glass. You can see small finished sections on the north end of C and the south end of T so far.

The new gate areas look great! Flew out of A5 last week, did not pay attention to the rest of the terminal but A5 and A3 were complete. Flying out of D week after next so I'll take a peek and see if I can get a glance of the exterior updates.

The non-DL (North) departures and arrivals level is closed so all the non-DL passengers on off site shuttles have to trek through the atrium to get to their respective airline counters (if needed).

[jsvh]

Agreed. Was there two weeks ago, new gate area at the end of the A is awesome. Love those huge windows and higher ceilings.

[cqholt]

HJIA considers scaling back the need for more expensive parking garages, in the wake of ride hailing services.

Now, “We’re going to have to ask ourselves the question, ‘Do we still need eight levels on the South side?’” said Hartsfield-Jackson interim assistant general manager of planning and development Tom Nissalke. With autonomous vehicles on the horizon and Uber and Lyft affecting parking usage, airport officials will again review parking demand. “We’re at an interesting point in the evolution of automobiles,” Nissalke said.

https://www.ajc.com/business/hartsfi...PUsleqLhJLG3N/