How to Use Cell Phone Parking Lots at the Airport

My husband travels a lot. He's always jetting off to conferences or meetings. Consequently, I drop him off at local airports quite frequently. It's easy to drop someone off at any airport. The departure areas are clearly marked; all you need to do is follow the signs to "Departing Flights" and find your airline's dropoff area. Check your airport's website before you leave home to find out which terminal houses your airline.

Picking up arriving passengers can be more challenging. I discovered long ago that my cell phone coverage is terrible when I'm waiting in the Arrivals area. It's practically impossible to call my husband to find out where he is. Combine that problem with the inevitable traffic, and frustration quickly sets in.

Fortunately, many airports now have cell phone parking lots. They're a great innovation. I imagine that travelers' complaints have declined considerably since the cell phone lots were created. I worked at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport for a couple of years, so my imagination's probably pretty accurate.

Here's how cell phone parking lots work. Instead of driving to the terminal, you follow the little blue signs to the "Cell Phone Waiting Area." I'll warn you that the signs can be small and hard to see, so you may miss a sign the first time you try this. The cell phone lots tend to be located away from the terminal buildings. Again, it's a good idea to check an airport map before you go.

Pull into the cell phone lot and relax. You might want to bring a book or newspaper along, or you can listen to a CD. You can wait up to an hour for your arriving passenger to call. I've been known to bring a flashlight so I can read in the dark.

When your passenger has picked up his baggage, he can telephone you and tell you where he'll be standing. You simply start your engine, drive to the terminal, and pick him up. Simple, right?

Airports don't charge for using cell phone lots. Generally, you must stay with your car; the lots are only for waiting. You won't have to compete with taxicabs, either; they have separate waiting areas.

Tip: Some cell phone lots are quite small. You might have to circle the terminal a few times before a spot becomes available. Check with your airport to find out if the cell phone lot is patrolled by security if you plan to wait in the dark.