If you’re a rideshare driver and your driving turf includes a major airport, you learn quickly that these transportation hubs are very profitable. Every driver knows there are airport drop-off and pickup rules. Veteran rideshare drivers, those who have been around for at least four years, recall when they could drive into a major airport and drop off or pick up passengers with little or no concern. Few rules existed other than exercising common sense and consideration for other drivers.
That’s not so today. If the major airports in your driving region have not yet instituted stricter rules regarding rideshare drivers, they’re thinking about it really hard.
It’s up to you, however, to know the rules.
Gridwise can make your next rideshare excursion to the airports more profitable. The Gridwise app includes a tab showing peak arrivals and departures. Download the Gridwise app today and be prepared for your next airport trip.
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Airport trivia: Which city claims to be served by the most airports? That honor falls to Los Angeles. According to the website Simple Flying, the behemoth airport in the region is LAX. Still, four other airports serve the metropolitan Los Angeles area: Ontario International Airport, Burbank Airport, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, and Long Beach Airport.
Airports are in a constant state of change
If your rideshare region includes a large airport, you’ve likely noticed that construction is a constant. Every time you enter the airport, a new crane or piles of construction material appear in a different location. This happens for a few reasons.
- External changes. Airports need to change to keep up with the times. Whether determining how to deal with the massive number of rideshare drivers, accommodating population growth or all the travelers showing up for that $99 flight special, airports regularly have to change, expand, or reconfigure to meet the demand.
- Funding. Airports get funding from all sorts of sources. The recent Infrastructure Act was a boon to airports, allocating $1 billion to 99 airports nationwide, according to TravelPerk. State and city funding is also regularly available. There are other sources. When funding becomes available, airports need to have projects ready.
- Increase capacity. Airport administrators are closely allied to the cities and metropolitan areas they serve. If a city is expanding its transit system to handle more demand for airport trips, then the airport will want to make changes to accommodate that new capacity.
Every time airport infrastructure changes, administrators have to ask themselves how these changes affect traffic patterns and how to optimize that traffic, including rideshare drivers. This is why you see frequent changes to airport rules about rideshare drivers.
The good news is that the airports and the rideshare companies have gotten good at coordinating these changes.
Users of the Gridwise app always know when peak arrival and departure times are by keeping track of the Gridwise airport tab on their app. Download the Gridwise app today and be prepared for your next airport trip.
Understand your airport’s pickup and drop-off rules
If you’re an experienced airport driver, you know where the terminals are, which terminals serve which airlines, and all the shortcuts. You might even know where the VIP terminal is (usually well hidden). Chances are that you’re keenly aware of any impending changes. You will hear about them through messages on your rideshare app and signage at the airport.
You can also check the website of any airport you visit. They typically post plans, which are a good source of information about changes coming to the airport and how rideshare drivers might be affected. Many of them also post rules applying to rideshare drivers.
Don’t be surprised if your airport has separate areas for drop-offs and pickups for rideshare drivers. This eases the traffic burden and likely makes your job easier.
If you’re a new driver and have not been to the airport(s), check your rideshare company’s website for their rules and suggestions. They are generally the same, but there are slight differences between Uber and Lyft. Uber airport pickup rules include all the latest and most up-to-date information. The same is true for Lyft airport pickup rules.
Both Uber and Lyft do an excellent job of keeping their drivers informed. If you visit the links referenced above, you can find a directory of US airports and the latest rideshare rules for each. Many of these rideshare web pages include maps to ease your navigation.
There is more good news. Uber and Lyft work well with airports to ensure their apps reflect new rules. For example, all pickups at LAX require drivers to go to a particular lot, LAXit, right next to the airport. If you accept a pickup at LAX, the app automatically directs you to LAXit to pick up that passenger.
Make sure you have a TNC permit
TNC, transportation network company, is a certification issued at the state level. When you become a gig driver, part of your onboarding process includes getting a TNC permit. This varies slightly from state to state, but the TNC permit certifies that you have the required licensing and insurance to operate a car service from an online-enabled platform, mobile device, or application. TNC permits are usually issued by Lyft or Uber when you become a rideshare driver. You must carry it in your car, usually posted on the windshield.
Airport personnel can stop and ask you for your TNC permit. You could get a citation if you don’t have it or it’s expired.
In some Uber or Lyft regions, getting a TNC permit requires a short orientation, usually done online. These presentations are typically video or PowerPoint-style.
You also need a waybill
Most drivers never need to produce a waybill (a document containing transportation details), but you should know that they are available on your app and how to produce them when required. Your app makes and stores a waybill of every trip, recording essential details such as pickup and drop-off locations, fare, and driver and passenger information. If there is a problem, such as an accident at the airport, airport officials may ask you to produce a waybill. Typically, the image of a waybill on your phone’s screen will suffice. Airport officials might ask you to create a screenshot of the waybill and text or email it to them.
Passenger requests that might violate airport rules
Every airport is different. Some allow you to drop off passengers inside the airport, but they require that you go to a separate lot (typically adjacent to the airport and very close) to pick up passengers who have just arrived. Others require you to pick up and drop off at a central shuttle terminal or similar facility. Although they may seem intimidating, airports are generally easy to navigate, and in most instances, the rideshare app will guide you through the process.
It’s essential, however, to know the rules of the airport you are visiting. Occasionally, you’ll encounter passengers who are not familiar with the rules and might ask you to violate them. They may want a ride into the airport, directly to their terminal, but the airport might require that you drop them off at a shuttle terminal. Politely explain the airport system and rules to them.
Most passengers understand; others are infrequent travelers who don’t know the rules, and airports can be imposing places. As a rideshare driver, you’re often their guide to the airport. A calm and courteous approach will frequently earn you a tip.
What’s the best way to track peak arrival and departure times at the airport? Download the Gridwise app today and check out the airport tab.
Best practices for airport pickups and drop-offs
There are additional measures you can take to make your airport experiences more successful and less stressful for your passengers.
Keep the trunk of your car clutter-free. You never know when you will be going to the airport. Keep your trunk as empty as possible to accommodate luggage. Leave your gym bag and golf clubs at home.
Assist passengers with luggage. While we’re talking about luggage, you should always offer to help passengers with their luggage. You’re more familiar with your car and how the bags will best fit, and they might be exhausted.
Know the shortcuts. Airports are notorious for long waits in heavy traffic. If you know the shortcuts, you can get your passengers to their terminal or shuttle drop-off quicker, freeing up your time for more passengers.
Put safety first. Airports at peak times often resemble anarchy, with cars pulling in at compromised angles or dropping off passengers in the middle of traffic. Your goal should be to drop off or pick up passengers only in safe areas.
Be a considerate driver. Many rideshare drivers are veterans of the airports in their region, while most other people drive into an airport a few times a year, if ever. Be considerate and watch for people making unexpected moves.
Equip yourself with helpful provisions. Your passenger might have just come off a twelve-hour overnight flight. Their mouth might feel like the Russian army just camped in it. Gum and mints are often well-received. They may need to charge their phone or quench their thirst, so have water and charging cords available.
Learn where the bathrooms are. Airport traffic can be unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to sit in it with a bursting bladder. If you’re making a pickup, take a bathroom break before entering the airport. When you’re leaving with a passenger, they may also need to go.
Prepare for airport chaos. When procedures change, you can expect confusion on all sides: drivers, passengers, and even airport personnel. When LAX inaugurated its LAXit program, drivers reported waiting an hour to make a pickup. When you learn of changes in procedures at the airport, you might want to avoid the place for a few weeks and let them get all the kinks ironed out.
How the Gridwise app can help you at airports
Gridwise is a rideshare driver’s best friend at the airport. The Gridwise app includes a tab with peak arrival and departure times at all the airports in your region. Smart drivers rely on this information to determine when to head to their closest airport. The Gridwise app also includes other features, such as When to Drive and Where to Drive, that help you know where and when to find target-rich environments for rides.
Taxes are a breeze, thanks to the Gridwise mileage tracker. You can track your miles passively, ensuring you get the maximum tax deduction. The Gridwise expense tracker is just as convenient, helping you keep track of the dollars you spend on gig driving activities. These features allow you to download records into a database file such as Excel for easy handling.
You can’t go wrong with the Gridwise app. Download it today.
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