Cell-phone area moved for Metro's McNamara

11/23/2007

ROMULUS, Mich. - Just in time for Thanksgiving travel, the Wayne County Airport Authority has moved the "cell phone waiting area" for Detroit Metro's McNamara Terminal to a new 50-vehicle lot on Eureka Road.

The new lot replaces lanes along Dingell Drive, the south-end access road into Detroit Metropolitan-Wayne County Airport, that were designated last year for waiting vehicles.

Consistent with a national trend, airport officials have set up cell-phone zones to accommodate people picking up air travelers who would otherwise try to wait in front of the terminals or circle the terminal access roads until their parties arrive. At the cell-phone areas, motorists may wait until the party they are meeting calls them to request pick-up.

"We still recommend that the best way to meet an arriving passenger is to park in a short- term lot and meet your party in the bag claim," Lester Robinson, the airport authority's chief executive, said in announcing the new lot. "However, many people simply drive out to the airport and try to sit at the arrivals curb at the time the flight is due to arrive."

Standing vehicles are not allowed at the arrivals curb for security reasons, and circling vehicles cause congestion. People using the cell-phone lot are required to stay with their vehicles.

The McNamara Terminal houses Northwest Airlines' Detroit hub operation and is used as well by Continental, Delta, and several other airlines.

A separate cell-phone zone has been established for motorists picking up arrivals at the Smith Terminal.