WHILE YOU WAIT
Choose a legal waiting spot
Use the airport’s waiting lot or cell phone lot if it has one. It is where you wait—not where you meet them—until they text.
AIRPORT PICKUP GUIDE
Picking someone up? Here’s the part people get wrong.
The flight landing does not mean they are ready. Give them time to get off the plane, grab their bags, and get outside. Then head to the terminal.
- The plane gets to the gateThey still need to get off and make their way out.
- They grab their bagsArrivalCue allows for estimated baggage time and the walk outside.
- They text you from the curbOnce they are outside, they can send the terminal, door, and “I’m outside.”
- Now you drive inHead to the terminal curb when they are there with bags in hand.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
Before you go, check these five things.
It takes a minute, and it can save you a lap around the terminal.
- Airport
Confirm the airport code. Some cities have more than one airport.
- Flight
Use the flight number to check the latest arrival ETA.
- Bags
Ask whether they checked a bag. ArrivalCue includes estimated baggage time when working out when they may reach the curb.
- Waiting spot
Find the airport’s waiting lot or cell phone lot before you leave home. If it doesn’t have one, check the short-term parking options.
- Car space
Leave enough room for every passenger, their luggage, car seats, and mobility equipment.
THE ONE RULE THAT STOPS THE CIRCLING
Don’t drive in until they are outside.
Wait somewhere legal nearby. When they text that they are at the curb with their bags, head to the terminal.
Your cue is simple: “I’m outside.” Not “we just landed.” Drive to the terminal curb when your passenger is at the curb with bags in hand.
SET UP THE PLAN
Sort out these three things before you leave.
Decide where you will wait, what text you need, and whether you will meet them at the curb or inside.
THE TEXT YOU NEED
Wait for “I’m outside”
Once they are at the curb with their bags, they can send the terminal and door. That is your cue to head in.
HOW YOU WILL MEET
Curbside or inside
Use the curb for a quick handoff. Park and walk in if they need help, have a long walk, or you want to meet inside.
WHAT TERMINAL? WHAT DOOR?
Arrivals is usually right. Usually.
Private rides normally meet at arrivals. Many airports only allow curb space for cars that are actively loading, so get the terminal and door before you enter the loop.
Some airports use a different level, a meeting point, or a nearby garage. Check your airport’s guide before you go.
Look up your airport →Bags are with me. Terminal 2, Door 4. I’m outside.
One text. No guesswork about when or where to drive.IF YOU MISS EACH OTHER
If you miss them, don’t stop at the curb.
Keep moving. The passenger should stay where they are and send the location again.
Passenger
- Stay at the pickup point
They stay where they are. Once they’re at a marked pickup area, they should not start walking from door to door.
- Send the marker
They send what they can see. Text the terminal and the nearest door, zone, pillar, or island marker.
Driver
- Keep moving
Do not stop at the curb if the passenger is not there.
- Follow airport signs
You come back around. Follow the airport signs for another pass.
- Try again
If the road does not lead back to the terminal, return to the waiting lot or cell phone lot and regroup.
The way back differs by airport. Check the airport guide before you drive.
WHEN SHOULD YOU LEAVE?
Time your drive for when they reach the curb.
Check the latest flight arrival ETA and allow estimated baggage time for them to get outside. Then use current traffic to see when you need to leave.
- 01Check the flight’s arrival ETAUse the latest estimate, not the scheduled time.
- 02Drive time to the airportUse current traffic for your route.
- 03Allotted time for passengers to reach the curbUse estimated baggage time.
- 04Time to leaveHead out when the whole trip lines up.
For an international arrival, add extra time for passport control and customs. Meeting inside? Add time to park and walk to the terminal too.
Sources
This general guide explains pickup coordination. For terminal, level, and waiting-lot rules, use the guide for your airport and its official sources.
MAKE IT EASY ON BOTH OF YOU
Pick the spot. Wait nearby. Drive in on the text.
ArrivalCue can help you figure out when to leave. Your airport guide can tell you where to go once you get there.