Uber and Lyft Driver Instructions for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Uber and Lyft Driver Instructions for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

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The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) saw more than 36 million visitors in 2019, making it the busiest airport in Michigan. A major hub for Delta and Spirit, the airport services over 140 destinations throughout the United States and overseas. DTW is also the primary airport for Detroit residents, as well as passengers traveling from Toledo, Ann Arbor, and Southwestern Ontario.

This means high potential earnings for nearby rideshare drivers. Those millions of passengers need rides to and from the aviation hub—and that’s where you come in.

The Detroit airport allows Uber and Lyft vehicles at the pick-up and drop-off terminals, but before heading that way, there are a few rules you’ll need 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 DTW, we put together this blog post to serve as a guide. The following topics are covered: 

  1. What should you do before arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  2. Do you need any permits to drive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  3. Where is the rideshare waiting area at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  4. What are the passenger pick-up rules at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  5. What are the passenger drop-off rules at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  6. When is the best time to drive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
  1. What is the best driving strategy at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

Let’s dive in!

What should you do before arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and entering the airport queue?

To pick up passengers at DTW, 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, and print a temporary emblem to use while waiting for yours to come in the mail.

Where is the Uber/Lyft waiting area at the Detroit airport?

First, you’ll have to check in at a booth at the DTW Ground Transportation Center. This booth is where an airport official will check your waybill, an electronic receipt of your last drive that will be in your Uber or Lyft app. If you don’t show your waybill, you could face fines and bans. If there’s no attendant present, just stop fully at the stop sign before proceeding into the lot.

Access your Lyft waybill by going to your dashboard and typing “waybill” into your left-side menu. Your Uber waybill will be in your Profile section.

Once you’ve checked in, proceed to the Rideshare Hold Lot on Goddard Road and 94 Service Drive. This is where rideshare drivers wait for passengers for both the North and McNamara terminals.

Once you get to this staging lot, you’ll automatically be entered into the airport queue. You’ll be able to check your place in line in the Lyft or Uber app. 

How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers at the Detroit Airport?

The driver who has been waiting the longest in the staging area gets the next rider request. Make sure not to enter out of driver mode while you wait or you’ll lose your spot in line.

Once you get a ride, head to the Ground Transportation Center at the Reserved/Pre-Arranged Transportation & Permit Parking Lot. “Rideshare” signs will mark the way as you approach the terminals. 

If your passenger is at the McNamara terminal, follow signs from McNamara Terminal to Domestic Arrivals to Commercial/Rideshare, then check-in at the booth as a driver and park in the lot to wait for your passenger.

If your passenger is at the North terminal, follow signs from North Terminal to Commercial Vehicles/Rideshare, then stay left to enter the Rideshare area. Turn right, check-in at the booth on the right, then park and wait for the rider.

Make sure not to pick up your passengers curbside—doing so could result in permanent suspension from DTW.

How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at the Detroit airport?

Luckily, dropping off passengers at DTW is a lot easier than picking them up. Just head to the curbside at the terminal entrance of your passenger’s carrier of choice.

That’s it, and you’re back on the road! 

When is the best time to drive at the Detroit airport?

Turn to your Gridwise app for information about all arrivals and departures at DTW, as well as delays and cancellations. 

Typically, midday is the best time for airport driving; most passenger arrivals and departures occur sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 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 log 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.

Congrats! Now you’re all set to make some pick-ups and drop-offs at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Happy driving!

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* Gridwise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for information purposes only, and is not intended to

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