Long lines and wait times for Customs processing frustrated some travelers arriving in Atlanta from international flights over the busy travel weekend following the Fourth of July.
Hundreds of people stuck in tight hallways trying to go through customs at #ATL. I understand waiting, but this is ridiculous esp for the elderly and children. No signs, no staff directing. Such an unfortunate representation of our city and our country. @Cityofatlanta @Delta pic.twitter.com/zwNcqznrmt
— Lydia Shanks (@lydiashanks) July 9, 2018
Travelers posted photos on social media of lines extending into hallways outside U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing areas.
@Atlanta_Airport you guys suck. This is the worst airport in the world in regards to handling customs. 1.5 hours wait time unheard of anywhere. 😡😡😡😡😡
— Ercan Uzel (@KartalliKartal1) July 9, 2018
The wait can be much shorter for travelers who are members of Global Entry, U.S. Customs’ “trusted traveler” program. The program, which costs $100 for a five-year membership and requires a background check and in-person interview, allows expedited clearance.
@wsbtv current situation for US passports at Hartsfield Jackson Airport. Line extends over 1000 ft for US citizens without global entey pic.twitter.com/RhvUUgRf6h
— Elizabeth Vance (@vance_elizabeth) July 9, 2018
Some passengers going through standard Customs processing said they waited in lines more than an hour long. Customs wait times can extend for more than an hour during busy periods for international arrivals at Hartsfield-Jackson.
On Saturday, the most recent period U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted wait times for, hundreds of passengers waited for more than hour, according to the agency's data.
The line for passport checks at #ATL is crazy. CBP short staffed. Are they all about the border?
— Steve Davis (@davislogic) July 7, 2018
