My flight comes back from Guatemala to Washington DC, changing planes in Atlanta...?
Ok, I'm flying to Guatemala from Washington DC, but changing planes in Atlanta, GA. My return flight is the same way. Now, I'd like to know if on the way back, after collecting my bags in Atlanta and going through customs.....can I just leave the airport in Atlanta and not continue my flight back to Washington? I'd be more than happy to notify Delta at that time that I will not be flying back to Washington so they can free up those seats for any standby passengers. Also, I'm under the impression that my bags will not be checked all the way to Washington, DC....because we have to collect them in Atlanta, and go through customs, right? Please advise if you're sure of the answer. Thanks!!!!
Air Travel - 2 Answers
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1 :
You're right. After you clear customs IF you were continuing on you would bring your bags to an area for them to be sent to your Delta connecting flight. It would be a nice gesture to let Delta know but if you don't show up they will give your seat away so no one will miss out. Just thinking here, if you don't want someone to know what happened to you don't call Delta just poof vanish. If that's the case at least notify someone anyone that your OK to ease their mind & so they don't call the Police & issue a missing persons report. Good Luck.
2 :
In Atlanta, you exit the plane, reach customs, claim your bag BRIEFLY before re-checking it, even if Atlanta is your final destination, and then go through a security screening like you would when entering any airport in the US for a flight. You would then claim your bag at the main baggage claim if Atlanta is tagged on your bag as your final destination. To ease the entire process, I would simply notify Delta of the change in plans NOW so your bag goes where you want it to and there's not a problem with an international passenger going missing in Atlanta. All it takes is one overzealous about security gate agent to turn it into a potential terrorist incident if you don't have your tickets straightened out before then.
