Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is located in Platte County, Missouri, 15 miles from downtown Kansas City. The airport averages 340 aircraft operations per day, and in 2019 saw more than 11 million visitors.
For rideshare drivers, that means high potential earnings. All those passengers need rides to and from the aviation hub, and that’s where you come in.
Kansas City International Airport allows Uber and Lyft vehicles at the pick-up and drop-off terminals, but before you head that way there are a few rules you’ll want to know. To maximize earnings (and avoid a fine), it’s important to understand how to navigate the airport, join the queue, and legitimize your vehicle.
To help rideshare drivers be successful at the Kansas City airport, we put together this blog post to serve as a guide. The following topics are covered:
- What should you do before arriving at Kansas City International Airport?
- Do you need any permits to drive there?
- Where is the rideshare waiting area at Kansas City International Airport?
- What are the passenger pick-up rules at Kansas City International Airport?
- What are the passenger drop-off rules at Kansas City International Airport?
- When is the best time to drive at the airport?
- What is the best driving strategy?
Let’s dive in!
What should you do before arriving at Kansas City International Airport and entering the airport queue?
To pick up passengers at Kansas City International, you’ll need your trade dress, which (as you know) is the Lyft or Uber decal that goes on your front passenger windshield facing outward.
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 closures), or print out a temporary version at home.
You can order a Lyft decal from your Dashboard or print a temporary emblem to use while waiting for yours to come in the mail.
Where is the Uber/Lyft waiting area at Kansas City International Airport?
The staging lot at MCI is located off of Brasilia Avenue near the Marriott Hotel. Refer to the map below for further details.
You’ll be automatically entered in the queue once you enter the lot, and you can check your place in line in the Uber or Lyft app. Unfortunately, if the lot is full you’ll have to leave the airport.
While waiting for requests, you may get a pre-match (Uber) or pre-dispatch (Lyft) message urging you to head to the pick-up terminal. While on the way, you should be matched with a rider. If not, just return to the staging lot within fifteen minutes, and you’ll be first in the queue.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers at Kansas City International Airport?
The driver who has been waiting the longest in the staging area gets the next rider request.
Once you accept a request, simply head to your rider’s terminal at the curbside Arrivals level.
Terminals B and C are located at the end of Cookingham Road. These terminals are roundabouts, so you’ll encounter Terminal C before Terminal B.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at Kansas City International?
Drop-offs at the Kansas City airport are simple! Just head to Departures at the passenger’s carrier of choice.
You may receive a pick-up request in the next 60 seconds (part of a feature called Rematch) but if not, either head back to the road or to the staging lot.
When is the best time to drive at the Kansas City airport?
Turn to your Gridwise app for information about all arrivals and departures at MCI, as well as delays and cancellations.
Typically, midday is the best time for airport driving; most passenger arrivals and departures occur sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
With Gridwise Plus you’ll be able to see airport data 24 hours in advance, so you can lock in a solid airport strategy the night before you head out. You’ll also be able to create custom alerts for arrivals and departures.
What are some good airport strategies?
Pick up a passenger on the way to the airport
Count on Gridwise to let you know when there’s 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. (This also happens if you enter out of driving mode or leave the property while in the queue.) The good news is, if it’s a short ride some companies let you jump back in line after you’ve dropped the passenger off.
Always be prepared
The fact is, you never know when law enforcement will show up. Keep your driver’s license, insurance card, and registration handy, and don’t forget to have your placard displayed.
Have your waybill ready
Your waybill is a digital receipt of your last drive, which airport officials may occasionally ask to see. Search ‘waybill’ on Lyft or click ‘Info’ on Uber to make it appear.
Congrats! Now you’re all set to make some pick-ups and drop-offs at the Kansas City International Airport—and maybe sneak a Chiefs game in between.
