Sea-Tac To Add "Cell Phone Lot" To Ease Pick-Up of Arriving Passengers

Drivers can wait in nearby lot until arriving passengers call on cell for pick-up

The Port of Seattle opened a convenient new place where drivers can park while waiting for arriving passengers. Starting today, the Port opens a "cell phone lot" on South 170th just east of the airport expressway.

"Drivers simply wait in the lot until their arriving passengers are at curbside and ready to be picked up," said Mark Reis, managing director of aviation for the port. "After receiving a quick call from the traveler, it's about a two minute drive to the baggage claim curbside.

"This gives drivers a much better option than waiting at curbside or circling the airport roadways," Reis added.

Drivers coming south on the expressway from State Route 518 should take the Air Cargo Road exit and make two left turns. The lot will be adjacent to the Doug Fox long-term parking lot.

"If you're coming to pick someone up, plan to arrive at the cell phone lot about 30 minutes after the flight's actual arrival time," said Michael Civitelli, airport operations manager. "It takes at least 30 minutes for a traveler to make their way through the concourse and down to baggage claim."

Civitelli hopes the new lot will help relieve congestion on all the airport roadways, making smoother sailing for those trying to catch departing flights.

"We've seen congestion on our baggage claim drives back up to the point that departing passengers couldn't make their way to the ticketing curbside. This is just one effort to keep things moving well for everybody who comes to the airport," Civitelli added

Drivers must remain with the vehicle in the cell phone lot, and commercial vehicles won't be allowed.