Atlanta Airport to Get Cell Phone Lots

Friends and family of people flying into Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport won’t have to try and wait at the curb ducking police or continuously circle the airport hoping to time their pickup. Beginning on Thursday, February 16, the airport will be opening up the first of three cell phone lots.

The first will be a 160 space lot located at the east end of the South terminal’s park-ride lot. Driver’s still won’t be able to leave their vehicle unattended, but at least they can sit in peace and await a phone call from the traveler. The lots will be monitored to ensure compliance with the no abandoned vehicle rule. The cell phone lots will be available at no charge.

It is hoped by airport management that the cell phone lots will ease congestion as it stops the constant circling and people jockeying for a spot at the curb until told to move by police. If successful, there will be two more cell phone lots opened at the north terminal and the new international terminal slated to open later this year.

There are currently 47 airports in North America operating cell phone lots. The idea has been a huge success at all airports where it has been introduced. Many of them even have Wi-Fi coverage and flight boards showing arrival information. It is unclear at this point if Hartsfield-Jackson will offer these additional services.

Next time you have to pick up someone at the airport, the experience won’t be quite as painful, thanks to these new cell phone lots.