The Cincinnati airport is a global hub for Amazon Air and DHL Aviation, ranking 4th in North America for total cargo operations. That’s a lot of packages coming in and out. But what about passengers?
Serving the Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio areas, this airport sees over 8 million people arriving or departing per year. That gives rideshare drivers in this area a great opportunity to profit on longer rides.
But if you’re going to maximize your earnings at CVG, you’ll need to know how to navigate. That takes a solid airport strategy, and knowing how to avoid citations. That’s why we put together this instructional guide to help Uber and Lyft drivers be successful when driving at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
We’ll walk you through everything from trade dress to airport peak times, so all you have to do is get on the road. The following topics are covered:
- What do you need to do before arriving at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- Do you need any permits to drive at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- Where is the rideshare waiting area at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- What are the passenger pick-up rules at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- What are the passenger drop-off rules at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- When is the best time to drive at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
- What is the best Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport strategy?
Let’s dive in!
What do you need to do before arriving at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and entering the airport queue?
You’ll need your trade dress, which (as you know) is the Lyft or Uber decal that goes on the windshield of your car.
Uber sends out this decal when drivers sign up. If you’ve lost yours since then, there are a few easy ways to replace it. You can request that a new one be mailed to you, pick one up at your local Greenlight Hub (be wary of recent Hub closures), or print out a temporary version at home.
You can order a Lyft decal from your Dashboard and print a temporary emblem while waiting for yours to come in the mail.
Where is the Uber/Lyft waiting area at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
Currently, all rideshare drivers share the staging lot that is located on Barkley Drive off Loomis Road. If it’s a busy day and the staging lot is full, you’ll have to leave the airport.
Once you enter the staging lot you’ll automatically be entered into the airport queue. Make sure not to log out of the app, cancel rides, or drive off airport property—you could lose your spot.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
Once you receive a request, follow the route from the waiting lot to the pick-up point. Turn left on Loomis Road, right onto Donaldson Road, right onto Lincoln Road, and follow signs to the Pickup Zone outside Door 10 of the terminal building.
With certain rideshare companies, you’ll pull into a numbered parking lot in the commercial vehicle lot. Then, you text your passenger the number so they can come find you.
It can get tricky, so keep an eye on Google Maps and don’t hesitate to reach out to your rider.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
Dropping off passengers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is simple. All you have to do is take passengers to the terminal of the aircraft carrier.
When is the best time to drive at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
CVG is a pretty busy airport, and you’re not the only driver in the area who knows that. This is why the queue can be frustratingly long, especially when you could be making money on the road rather than waiting.
So the best time to drive at CVG is when the ratio of passengers to drivers is at its absolute highest.
For flight insights, check your Gridwise app. The Airports tab lets you compare queue times to passenger arrival times.
There are, of course, certain times of year that receive more passengers, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years. Still, the best way to understand rider demand at your airport is with Gridwise.
The best time for driving appears to be around midday, where there’s a spike in departures.
What is the best airport strategy for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport?
Pick up a passenger on the way to the airport!
Don’t just be a driver that picks up passengers at the airport. Also pick them up when they are heading to the airport. Gridwise does a great job of telling you when there is also a peak in airport departures, so you can hang around near hotels at that time to maximize your chances of an airport ride.
Do not cancel on a passenger after you’ve accepted a fare
If you do, you will be bumped to the bottom of the queue and your wait starts all over again. The good news is that if it’s a short ride, some companies let you jump back in line after you’ve dropped that passenger off. Fortunately, a passenger canceling on you does not affect your place in line.
Look out for your short ride bump
After waiting at the airport for a passenger, there is nothing worse than getting a ride that’s just five minutes away. That’s why the major rideshare companies have some form of a short ride bump that allows you to jump back into the front of the line if you get a very short ride request.
To take advantage of a short ride bump, simply complete your short ride and look out for a text message or in-app message that gives you the option to head back to the CVG lot for a spot in the queue.
Always be prepared
You never know when law enforcement will show up, so always keep your driver’s license, insurance card, and registration handy. And don’t forget to have your trade dress displayed, as well as be ready to show your waybill (basically a receipt of your last drive) to airport officials.
Now you should be ready to make that drive to CVG. Happy driving!
