Cannot make court appearance?

Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

I got a traffic violation in March (DISTRACTED DRIVING-WIRELESS OR STAND ALONE ELECTRO (40-6-241(c)), Level 2, Degree N) in Atlanta, GA. They gave me a date on that ticket and when I went to court on that date it turned out I didnt have to be there, because the cop never submitted the ticket to court. Now it is August and I searched up my name online and I learned my court date is Monday, August 18th. I know I should have looked sooner, but I didn't, and now I am not able to postpone the date nor are they letting me pay online. However, I am not in Atlanta and I am not really able to go back until September. What should I do? I am unclear what happens if I do not go or I should just fly there Sunday night and leave Monday morning.

I have had this same incident happen where I glanced at my phone at a red light and the cop immediately gave me the ticket. It was quite ridiculous and the solicitor waived it within 30 seconds of talking to her. Im not sure if this is relevant but my point is that if I were to speak to a solicitor in court, I am quite sure it would be dropped. Also relevant, I have used my PTIT so I can unfortunately not call in that trick.