Tips & FAQs

Should I allow extra time to arrive at the airport?
During construction it would be wise to arrive at the airport about 90 minutes before your flight time. If it’s a busy holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, MLK Day) or bad weather day, arrive about 2 hours before your flight.

Has the entrance to the airport been impacted by construction?
No. You enter the airport from 395 or Plumb/Terminal Way just as you have before. The entrance to the parking garage and rental cars is also the same. Just be prepared for fewer lanes and a little traffic congestion in front of the terminal.

Why does the existing ticket lobby have to be closed off for this project?
ABC (Airport Baggage Check-in project) involves one project with a public phase and a phase that involves what’s called Sensitive Security Information (SSI). The SSI portion is the construction of a baggage handling system that integrates the Transportation Security Administration baggage screening machines into a behind the scenes system that will not be made public for security reasons. The old ticket lobby must be entirely closed off for the construction of the SSI portion of the project. All of the engineers, planners, contractors and construction workers on this project have had to sign non-disclosure agreements and submit to a detailed background check. This is all for the safety of our community and traveling guests.

What if I don’t have bags to check?
You can avoid the ticket lobby construction by entering the airport through the front doors under the sky bridge or take the sky bridge from the second floor of the parking garage. If you have a boarding pass, proceed to your gate. If you don’t have a boarding pass, there will be electronic kiosks for printing boarding passes in the terminal lobby near baggage claim.

What’s the best way to pick someone up at the airport during ABC?
The best way to pick someone up is to use the free cell phone waiting lot. Since there is no parking along the curb, and only active pick ups and drop offs are allowed, the cell lot is a great alternative to just driving around the perimeter road. When you enter the airport, stay to your right and follow the signs to the Cell lot. Wait in the lot until your party calls you AFTER they have picked up their bags in baggage claim. Then exit the lot and drive forward along the curb and pick them up.

Can you use the cell lot if you don’t have a cell phone?
Absolutely. The purpose of the lot is to provide a customer convenience. To help all of our customers, we have placed a free airport courtesy phone in the cell phone lot that will allow drivers to page their parties to find out if they have arrived and retrieved their luggage yet. So whether you own a cell phone or not, the cell phone waiting lot is a great option to avoid the front curb traffic and restrictions while picking up people at the airport during ABC.

Will skycap service be available?
Yes, skycap service will be moved from the terminal curb to the center median. Southwest, United, American, Continental and Delta will all offer skycap service from clearly marked areas on the curb.

Is Baggage Claim affected by the project?
No. The entire ABC Project focuses on airport departure, not arrival. The Baggage Claim (pick up) area is unaffected.

When will the project end?
November, 2009

Travel tips:

• Downloading boarding passes at home and using carry-on luggage can help you avoid the construction area. But be sure to remember the TSA 3-1-1 rules at www.tsa.gov.
• Use sky cap service whenever possible
• Use the cell phone waiting lot when picking up passengers to avoid driving around the airport perimeter road.
• Allow some extra travel time in case of construction related road delays and during inclement weather or holidays.
• Watch for signage and airport Passenger Aides for direction.
• If you want to submit a question about the project, go to Ask the Airport (link)