How to Use an Airport Cell Phone Lot

Remember circling and circling the airport in your car while waiting for your friend to arrive. Now it's much easier with airports that have cell phone lots. Here's the way to use these.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a cell phone
• flight number
• airline name
• arrival time
• friend's cell phone #

1. 
    

   Ahead of their arrival, get your friend's cell phone number and give them yours. Program it into your phone to be ready for the day of their arrival.

2. 
    

   Get their airline name and flight number and time of arrival. Check it on the internet before leaving for the airport. Go to the webpage for their airline to see if the flight is delayed or cancelled.

3. Be sure your cell phone battery is well-charged the day you need it for the cell phone lot.

4. 
    

   Plan to arrive at the cell phone lot about the time their plane is supposed to be landing. Notice the signs as you enter the airport area in case there are different terminals. Note which terminal their airline will use. Park and wait for their call.

5. 
    

   When they call saying their plane is on-the-ground, ask them to call you back when they have their luggage and are outside by the pick-up area.

6. 
    

   Wait for their next call. When they call, ask them for a sign that you can look for. Many airports have numbered sections or the name of the airline posted in the pick-up area.

7. 
    

   Drive to the pick-up area and load up the arriving passenger.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring with you something for entertainment (a book to read or crossword puzzle to work), in case the flight gets delayed further or they're delayed by lost luggage.
• If you think they will be hard to spot in a crowd, ask them what color they are wearing.
• Some cell lots are fairly new and may lack amenities like a bathroom. Make a bathroom stop before getting to the cell lot, just in case. Some have port-a-potties.
• Don't get into an altercation with the guard in the loading area. If they say move on, you'd better do it. Swing around again and look for your arriving passenger.

[DulceMaria]

on 1/15/2009 Thanks for the article. I just went to pick up someone at the OHARE airport and the plane was late and I was going round and round making time, and someone told me about the cell phone lot, and then I went there and waited unti they call me. I didn't know anything about it and I spend half a tank of gas with the going around. Well written.

[painthorse42]

on 1/10/2009 Great advice! 5*

[DUSTYMILLS]

on 1/7/2009 Our large airport here in Oregon now has a cell phone lot and it sure makes things easier than all that driving around. Good article.....