I just had to sprint across the entire Atlanta airport in 12 minutes and I’m about to lose my mind.
I have officially peaked as a traveler, but at what cost? My inbound flight was delayed (shoutout to the skywest ground crew for the 20 minute gate wait), and by the time I deplaned at B, I realized I had exactly 12 minutes until my international connection to Europe closed.
I didn't even look at the Plane Train. I knew if I stood there like a moron waiting for the doors to open with the rest of the herd, I was going to be spending the night in a terminal hotel. I just jammed on my headphones to tune out the soul crushing airport noise and started a full blown sprint through the tunnels.
The distance is one thing, but the people are a whole different level of infuriating. Why does everyone decide to walk four abreast at a glacial pace in the narrowest parts of the terminal? I spent half the run trying not to bowl over entire families who were treating the walkway like a casual sunday stroll while I was literally fighting for my life.
Honestly, I was just waiting for my body or my gear to fail me. I was wearing my hokas, which is the only reason my knees didn't explode on that slippery linoleum, and thank God I was only carrying a level 8 carry on and my peak design backpack. If I had been dragging any more weight, or if that roller had clipped my heels while I was drifting around slow walkers, I never would’ve made it.
Has anyone else had a sprint like this where the airport layout felt like a personal insult? Or am I just lucky I didn't faceplant in the middle of Terminal D?