Nov. 26--Planning to pick up friends or family from Metro Airport this holiday week? Here are a few tips to help you navigate the chaos.
At the North Terminal, drive past the arrivals level bottleneck at the near doors to pick up your party at the far end of the terminal. However, this is hard to do at McNamara, where cars clog the access ramp up to a half-mile back during busy holiday days.
To solve this issue at McNamara, either pick up your party one level down at International Arrivals, or enter the arrivals level from the I-275/Eureka Road airport entrance (its ramp to the terminal is less crowded.)
The airport also has two cell phone waiting lots. Wait for your party to call, then drive over and pick them up.
Need a wheelchair?
Metro Airport does not have motorized carts to drive passengers through the terminal. If you are a slow walker or disabled, call your airline ahead of time, and a wheelchair will be ready for you. Flying out? Look for "Wheelchair Assistance" signs on the departures level of the McNamara and North terminals.
Where to park at the airport
On airport grounds
Try the Green Lot ($8 a day, with a shuttle) or Big Blue Deck long-term parking ($10 a day, opposite the North Terminal). At the McNamara Terminal, long-term parking is $20 a day and valet parking is $33 a day. For parking lot status, call 800-642-1978.
Off-site
Airlines Parking (www.airlinesparking.com), U.S. Park (www.us-park.com) and Qwik Park (www.qwikpark.com) all have online coupons for $8 a day or $50 a week. Park-n-Go (www.parkngo.com) has a coupon for $8 a day.
Short term
If you want to go inside the terminal to meet someone, use short-term parking at McNamara or North ($3 for up to 30 minutes, $5 for an hour, $3 for each additional hour.)
Holiday travel resources
Metro Airport information: http://www.metroairport.com/
List of what you can or can't bring through airport security: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items
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