Last year, more than 13 million passengers filtered through the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). That amounts to 13 million rides to and from the transportation hub—and a big opportunity for rideshare drivers.
The New Orleans airport allows Uber and Lyft vehicles at the pick-up and drop-off terminals, but before heading that way, there are a couple rules you’ll want to know. To maximize earnings (and avoid a ticket), 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 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, we put together this blog post to serve as a guide. The following topics are covered:
- What do you need to know or do before arriving at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?
- Do you need any permits to drive there?
- Where is the rideshare waiting area?
- What are the passenger pick-up rules?
- What are the passenger drop-off rules?
- When is the best time to drive at the airport?
- What is the best driving strategy?
Let’s dive in!
What do I need to do before I arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and enter the airport queue?
To pick up passengers at MSY, you’ll need your trade dress: the Lyft or Uber decal that goes on the windshield of your car.
Uber mails this decal to drivers when you sign up. If you’ve lost yours since then, there’s a couple 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, and print a temporary emblem to use while waiting for yours to come in the mail.
Where is the Uber/Lyft waiting area at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?
MSY has one staging area for rideshare drivers to wait, and it’s located on Terminal Drive off Loyola Drive. Once this stage lot is full, you must leave the airport (or risk being ticketed).
Once you get to the staging lot you’ll automatically be entered into the airport queue. You’ll be able to check your place in line in the Gridwise app.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?
The driver who has been waiting the longest time in the staging area gets the next rider request. During most hours, a match with a rider will come along with a four-digit pickup code.
Enter that code to see the airport pre-approved pick-up spot for you to meet your rider. This will be in the Ground Transportation Center at the Arrivals level middle curb, where there will be an area marked “App Based Ride Services.”
It can get a little tricky, so keep an eye on Google Maps and don’t hesitate to send your passenger a text.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?
Luckily, dropping off passengers at MSY is a lot easier than picking them up. Just head to the departure level at the passenger’s carrier of choice.
That’s it, and you’re back on the road.
When is the best time to drive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?
Turn to your Gridwise app for information about all arrivals and departures at MSY.
Typically, midday is the best time for airport driving; most passenger arrivals and departures occur sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
What airport strategies should I use?
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. 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.
Be ready to present your waybill and keep your app updated
A waybill is essentially a receipt of the last trip you completed. Be prepared to present this to airport officials or law enforcement while waiting for arrivals.
As for Uber’s PIN and Lyft’s Fast Match service, which power the four-digit codes in queues, these are only available on newer versions of the apps. Make sure to routinely update to take full advantage of quicker wait times.
Always be prepared
As always, 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.
Congrats! Now you’re all set to make some pick-ups and drop-offs at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport—and maybe sneak a beignet in between.
