Everyone has an Atlanta airport story.
And now media members covering the College Football Playoff National Championship Game will also have one to tell.
We all like to complain about air travel; it’s a pastime as American as eating a hot dog while watching baseball. And while travel issues are not strictly American, certain airports in the United States stand tall when talking about sheer incompetence.
Charlotte is one. Atlanta is another.
This week, Atlanta — the site of Ohio State’s thrilling victory over Notre Dame to clinch its first national title since 2014 — cemented its status as a traveler’s nightmare. Media members, fans, and everyday travelers found themselves scrambling in what can only be described as a perfect storm of post-holiday madness, championship aftermath and impending winter weather.
Security lines stretched endlessly, stranding thousands in frustration.
Even TSA PreCheck, typically the golden ticket through security, failed to deliver relief.
To all who are in the Atlanta airport….we’ll always have a story. I guess ?
“Worst security line we’ve ever seen.”
The holiday weekend + OSU/ND fan bases coming in for a little game sneak up on ya, did it?
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 21, 2025
Adding to the chaos, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger shared that the TSA PreCheck line had grown so long it spilled outdoors into freezing temperatures.
The TSA *precheck* line at the Atlanta airport is so long – hundreds of yards – that it stretches outdoors in frigid temperatures.
The regular TSA line is three times as long, at least. pic.twitter.com/QeD0ygWuor
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 21, 2025
Similar anecdotes poured in as plenty of people captured the sheer chaos.
Voice is gone but here to say Atlanta has the worst airport in the world pic.twitter.com/e41eO0pcRr
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) January 21, 2025
Verified account. ✅ https://t.co/ik05QDcHRD
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) January 21, 2025
I’ve never been to war but I imagine the Atlanta airport this morning is similar to war
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) January 21, 2025
Atlanta airport this morning is by far the worst travel experience I’ve ever had. Just an absolute nightmare 😂
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) January 21, 2025
The Atlanta airport is always a great place to spend two hours in a line the day after a big sporting event! pic.twitter.com/rc2uJ4yKHC
— Eric Kay (@ekaycbs) January 21, 2025
Mass exodus and short staffing at #Atlanta’s airport the day after the National Championship.. yikes. pic.twitter.com/b9Rcy5Lb8B
— Lauren Moss WNDU (@LMossWNDU) January 21, 2025
If you need me, I’ll be in the Atlanta airport security line until next season starts.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 21, 2025
The Atlanta air port is the worst one in the nation.
— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) January 21, 2025
Note to media members: the next time you cover a championship game in Atlanta, pack your patience. And maybe a sleeping bag for the TSA line.
Or, better yet, leave for the airport immediately after you file your story.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.