Plane-train problem causes ‘pandemonium’ at ATL airport

CNN
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A computer problem with the train that shuttles passengers between terminals at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Monday morning caused bottlenecks and confusion as people rushed to get to their gates at the world’s busiest airport.

Shortly after noon local time, the airport said in a statement that its aircraft train had returned to its normal schedule on Monday “after a computer problem.”

Social media posts about the situation described a chaotic scene.

“ATL Airport is a mess with the train canceled and masses of people standing still in the underground corridors between waiting halls,” one post said.

The airport said airport and airline staff and additional ground support “assisted passengers in navigating concourses to reach connecting flights, baggage claim and gates” while train service was restricted.

There is a passenger walkway connecting the waiting areas.

Keagan Ilvonen, 33, made it to his flight on Monday but described the scene after security checks as a “madhouse.”

“No staff to give instructions, no one to provide information. “Just people getting off escalators down into the train area on the floor,” Ilvonen told CNN.

“Honestly, the worst traffic jam and treatment of people I have ever seen at an airport,” Ilvonen said.

Tiffany King, 27, said in a message to CNN: “The staff was screaming at people to move forward but we couldn’t, it was a blocked crowd.” It took me an hour to get from Gate B to Gate C reach.”

The automated train system has been transporting passengers through the airport since 1980. According to the airport, it handled more than 250,000 passengers daily in 2018.