Indianapolis International Airport is one of the most important hotpsots for rideshare drivers in Indy. Whether you want to or not, you’re almost guaranteed to spend some time dropping off or picking up passengers here.
Luckily for Indianapolis drivers, IND is also one of the best ways to maximize your earnings as a Uber or Lyft driver because of the more than 10 million rideshare drivers that travel through the airport each and every year. That means millions of opportunities for rideshare drivers.
However, you’re going to need to have a great airport strategy and know the ins and outs of Indianapolis International airport in order to maximize your earnings.
Well that’s where we come in.
We’ve put together this driver instructional guide to help Uber and Lyft drivers in Indianapolis be successful when driving IND.
See the topics covered in this blog post below:
- What do I need to know or do before arriving at Indianapolis International Airport?
- Do you need any permits to drive at Indianapolis International Airport?
- Where is the rideshare waiting area at Indianapolis International Airport?
- What are the passenger pick up rules at Indianapolis International Airport?
- What are the passenger drop off rules at Indianapolis International Airport?
- When is the best time to drive at Indianapolis International Airport?
- What is the best Indianapolis International Airport driving strategy?
Let’s dig in!
What do I need to do before I arrive at Indianapolis International Airport and enter the airport queue?
Step #1: Get your trade dress
Listen, if you don’t have your trade dress by now then you need to stop everything and go get it! Every rideshare driver in Indianapolis needs a sticker or decal from their rideshare company on their car at all times. This goes double for the airport as it’s easy to pick up a hefty fine by picking up passengers without your trade dress.
So before you do anything you must make sure that you have your Uber or Lyft decals. You can easily pick these up from one of the rideshare companies.
To get your Uber Decal you can visit the local Greenlight Hub.
To get your Lyft Decal you can place an order on your dashboard. You can also print a temporary decal if you lose yours or are waiting for one to come in the mail.
Step #2: Know the airport regulations
More than a few airports require some sort of special permit in order to pick up passengers. Not Indianapolis International! You do however need to follow a few key rules and regulations.
- Always keep one of your rideshare apps on at all times while on airport property
- Airport personnel can and will ask you to provide a Waybill. Don’t stress, just check your Uber or Lyft app for this
- Don’t wait in any other areas except the designated staging areas (see the map below). Not only is this against regulations but you also won’t be added to the queue. So if there is no room in the staging lot you must leave.
Where is the Uber/Lyft waiting area at Indianapolis International Airport?
Uber and Lyft have a few staging areas for rideshare drivers, but the main lot is located off of S McDonnell Rd. See the areas in blue below for instructions to the rideshare waiting areas.
Once you get the staging lot you’ll automatically be entered into the airport queue. It will be up to you to find a spot to wait.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers at Indianapolis International Airport?
Pickups at IND are super easy.
There is only one terminal which means only one pick up area which is inside the Ground Transportation at Zone A.
See the pink area on the map below for directions.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at Indianapolis International Airport?
There are no bells and whistles for dropping passengers off at IND. You simply drop your rider off at their requested carrier and take off!
Remember, don’t hangout at the drop off point for a ride. This is a easy way to get a ticket!
When is the best time to drive at Indianapolis International Airport?
Indianapolis International Airport can absolutely be big money maker for rideshare drivers every day, all year long because of the millions of passengers coming in and out of the airport. But every rideshare driver knows this.
So there you can usually find quite a few drivers at the airport.
So the best time to drive at IND is when the ratio of passengers to drivers is at its absolute highest.
To understand when this ratio is highest, check your Gridwise app and compare queue times to passenger arrival times.
Now, there will be certain times of the year that the airport is busier like holidays and before big sporting events. But remember, you’re not the only one with the great idea to hang in the airport queue around Christmas. So you still need to make sure your Gridwise app to understand driver supply and rider demand.
What airport strategy to use at Indianapolis 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.
Look out for your short ride bump
After waiting for some time at the airport for a passenger, there is nothing worse than getting a ride that’s 5-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 TNC lot for a preferred 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 placard displayed.
Now you should be ready to make that drive to IND and actually earn money instead of snacking on candy from Sunoco. I’m not the only one who does that, right?
