New Service at Airport Garage Assists Disabled People

Valet Parking Provides Escorts / Assistance to People with Disabilities

To provide better customer service for persons with disabilities being dropped off at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and to aid in traffic management, Port of Seattle officials announced today the addition of a new service offered through the Port's valet parking service in the airport garage.

People who are dropping off disabled travelers no longer have to choose between managing the hassles of transporting a passenger and luggage from the garage to the terminal or using the terminal drives and potentially having to violate the no parking/no waiting rule when assisting disabled passengers into the terminal.

Valet parking attendants on the fourth floor of the parking garage are now able to assist in the effort. Once arriving in the valet parking area, drivers can unload their passenger and wheelchair and, if needed, obtain valet assistance in moving baggage to the airline ticket counter. If a wheelchair is needed for the passenger, one will be provided. And, for the first four hours that the car is parked in this area, general parking rates will apply.

"We hope that this offers a better solution for this important customer service issue. When vehicles are left unattended on the check-in drive, it causes traffic management problems and raises security concerns," said Rod Hilden, General Manager of Landside Line of Business at Sea-Tac. "Security regulations are very specific about unattended cars on the drive, and that creates a real problem for a family member taking a wheelchair-bound passenger to the airport. We are launching the new service today in hopes that it provides a better solution to this challenge," said Hilden.

Advance notice is not required. Follow roadway signs to "Ticketing/Check-In" and then to "Valet Parking." Height clearance into that section of the garage is 7 feet (the rest of the garage is restricted to vehicles that are 6' 6"). Park in the designated area and enlist the help of the valet parking attendants.

There are no extra charges for the first four hours of this service and tipping is not required or expected. The first 30 minutes of parking costs $2.00; 30 minutes to one hour costs $4.00. (Valet parking costs are $20.00 for 0-4 hours, and will be accrued for use of this service in excess of four hours.) This service is available 24 hours/day, seven days a week.

Information about this new service and all parking rates can be found on our website's Sea-Tac parking page.