Advice on changing international flights in ATL

I'm using miles+voucher to travel next year. MAN-ATL, then ATL to SJO

Because of the vagaries of the VS/DL 'partnership' the tickets have to be bought separately.

The negative is that our bags will need to be reclaimed 'properly' and we'll need to check in anew.
The plus side is both flights are Terminal I.

We would have 2.5h between arrival and departure.
Do you think this will be enough? And advice? I do not have fond memories of ATL
Thanks

[mitchja]

When checking in at MAN, ask VS to label your bags to its final destination. It can be done even when on separate tickets. I did this in December. It took a supervisor as the check-in agent wasn’t sure how to do it (even though he knew it could be done) but it was done without any issues. You will just need your DL booking ref so VS can link your bags to the DL booking.

If they can’t or won’t do this, once you collect your bag at ATL, there are DL check-in desks opposite the transfer bag drop area at ATL. They will be able to print the next bag tag. You then take your luggage and drop it in the same transfer bag drop opposite. I’ve done it this way as well. You can then go though the Trae security area. It adds less than 10mins to your transfer time. It’s easy that way round.

Coming home, it is the same, DL can print bag tags to MAN even if you are on separate tickets. It may take a little more persuasion but again I’ve done it without any issues.

Personally I think I would want more time than 2.5 hours if I was on separate tickets. It is doable, no doubt, it just depends on your risk appetite.

It's more than enough for a "protected" connection (same ticket), where the airline picks up the tab if I miss it. But you'll likely be on the hook if your MAN-ATL flight is delayed and you miss your ATL-SJO.