Tampa continues to be one of the most efficient airports I have ever used and I have been to many world wide. They have big growth plans for the future and I am sure that they will stay the best airport to leave from and arrive at.

The pickup lanes at TPA have been a zoo for as long as I can remember. This step wouldn't have been necessary if people had taken the hint about the cell-phone lot, but they haven't so it seems something like this is the logical next step.

I agree, but it's a terrible time to implement the change.

If only people had common sense they would not have to enforce. I have used cell phone lot plenty of times and it orks beautifully except for the inconsiderate ones who feel they are special and sit and wait in baggage area.

Peter B.

The cell-phone is one of the best in the nation, there is no need to have any congestion at the bagge claim area, just wait for your party to call you, (it is a cell phone waiting area) and pick them up. No waiting should apply to all.

Use SRQ and avoid the hassle!

Not everybody has a cell phone. I can't afford one. I also can't afford to waste gas driving around and around and around waiting for my party to hit the bathroom and find their luggage and haul it outside.

Christie,
That is a pretty good point ... not everyone has a cell phone. In that case, your best plan of attack is likely to park in short-term parking and meet your party as they get off the shuttle from the airside. This is what I do frequently anyway,even though I do have a cell phone. Then it is a simple matter of taking an elevator from luggage pickup to the car, or if they are hauling a lot of luggage, one person gets the car and meets them curbside. If you time it well, I believe your first 1/2 hour in short term is free.

I like parking on the roof level ... nice view of the area from there.

For those few people that do not own cell phones, Tampa International Airport has gone one step further to assist the visiting public by offering one free hour of parking in one of its garage's. No excuses to cruise outside the baggage area causing congestion to the rest of the people playing by the rules.

kmselec
Christie.....call Obama he will get you a phone. You are not entitled to block traffic
Have you even been to the cell lot? It tells you when the flight has arrived to wait 20min then drive by & check if your peeps have arrived. It's not that hard.

It's a good plan.

The SIMPLEST solution was already posted on this thread. There is FREE one-hour parking in the short-term parking garage. Park nearest the elevator closest to the terminal the flight you are waiting for is flying into. (Look it up beforehand, it's not rocket science!) Take the elevator down to the 3rd floor and await the person(s) you are to greet. If they have carry-on luggage, go back to the floor your car is parked on via the same elevator you to took to the 3rd floor OR if they have checked baggage, take the escalator down to the 1st floor baggage area, retrieve their luggage then go back to the original elevator you took down back up to the floor your car is parked on. I have done this countless times and it's no big deal, people are happy to be met inside the airport, you don't have to drive in circles....and it's free. Just keep a handle on when you arrived at the short term garage so you don't get hit with a fee for being over 1 hour. Also, park on the 9th floor (roof) if you have time to spare and you can watch planes land with the kids.

Edith, your post sounds fine. In fact, I appreciated hearing another perspective and I don't think it came across as you thinking you're the only one with problems.

Anne, I had never thought to park on the roof to watch the planes! That's a great idea!

@ JD - and bring a camera. That's how I got the shot added to this article's photo gallery of a family member heading out on a flight last week..... right there off the roof.