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Driving at Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Airports can be complicated places, especially for drivers. But knowing the basics, and getting information in advance about your local airport, can help make sure you’re prepared for your first pickup or dropoff.

Airport regulations

Airport regulations for drivers

Per airport regulations, drivers must adhere to the terms below. Failure to do so may result in a citation or restricted access to airport trips. Please note that Uber will not pay for any citations that drivers may incur.

  • When on airport property, the Uber Driver app must be open at all times (drivers must not go offline until exiting the airport area)
  • We’ve instituted a special “first vehicle in is the first one out” (FIFO) system at Orlando International Airport. The FIFO system only works within the designated, geofenced area; drivers waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber Driver app.
  • The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield facing outward. Drivers can obtain this Uber decal at their local Greenlight Hub or fill out this form to have it delivered.
  • Book all rides in the app (do not solicit off-app).

Pro tips

  • Driver cancellations: Trip cancellations can take away from the great Uber experience that both riders and drivers expect. Please remember that drivers who improperly use the app and intentionally disrupt the service, including excessively canceling rides or asking riders to cancel rides, may lose the ability to receive trip requests to and from the airport through the Uber Driver app.
  • Ground transportation and airport security staff: Airport rules are as important as traffic rules. Airports expect drivers to follow the instructions of the airport staff.

Pickups at the airport

It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving the Orlando airport. However, these trips work a little differently than other requests.

Waiting for requests

Uber’s technology uses a first-in, first-out (FIFO) queue. This means that in order to receive a trip request, you need to enter the designated waiting area, located within a “FIFO zone.” You will then be placed in a virtual queue where the first driver to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.

Waiting lot

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, the waiting area for drivers is adjacent to B-52 Memorial Park, off of Bear Road (see map below). Please note, per airport requirements, commercial Uber drivers on airport property are only able to receive trip requests at Orlando International Airport while waiting in the Commercial Waiting Lot.

Some things to know about FIFO queues:

  • Proximity to the terminal within the FIFO zone does not create an advantage for drivers or move you closer to the top of the queue.
  • If there are no drivers in the FIFO zone, trip requests will go to Uber drivers in the area—outside of the FIFO zone—based on proximity and other factors.
  • You can lose your place in line if:
    • You go offline on your Uber driver app
    • You drive outside the FIFO zone
    • You do not accept multiple incoming trip requests in a row
    • You cancel multiple rides (if the rider cancels, you will remain at the top of the queue)

Picking up your rider

Once you accept a trip request, meet your rider in the designated areas marked ‘Ride App Pickup’. Airport regulations require Uber drivers to pick up riders in the designated areas marked ‘Ride App Pickup’. Available pickup zones at MCO are:

Terminal A

  • Arrivals (Level 2) Baggage Claim 1 through 14 (except door 9)
  • Departures (Level 3) Southwest Airlines (9pm-2am only)
  • Departures (Level 3) JetBlue Airlines (9pm-2am only)

Terminal B

  • Arrivals (Level 2) Baggage Claim 20 through 32 (except door 27)
  • Departures (Level 3) Delta Air Lines (9pm-2am only)
  • Departures (Level 3) Spirit Airlines (9pm-2am only)

Dropoffs at the airport

How dropoff requests work

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, riders can be dropped off at the departures area. If you’d like to receive a trip request afterwards, you’ll need to keep the Uber driver app on to maintain your place in the FIFO queue.

Rematch trips

Rematch is enabled at MCO. Rematch allows drivers who just completed an airport dropoff to be temporarily eligible for receiving a pickup request without having to enter the waiting lot. With Rematch, once you drop off at the airport you must exit the dropoff area and begin heading toward the waiting lot. While navigating to the lot, you may receive a Rematch request, though a Rematch is not guaranteed. Airport regulations prohibit loitering in the terminal area. Idling at the curb may result in a citation from airport authorities.

MAP of MCO

Prematch at MCO

Prematch is now enabled at Orlando International Airport. This feature gives drivers that are in the queue the option to accept a Prematch dispatch and begin heading toward the airport a few minutes before we anticipate a pickup request. This feature allows drivers to get closer to the terminal and provides short wait times for riders. Please follow guidance in the app when accepting Prematch dispatches.

How do I know if I have received a Prematch dispatch?

You will receive a notification in the driver app.

What happens if I receive a Prematch but I don’t receive a request before leaving the terminal?

Although rare, there are times when a driver could be notified to head to the terminal but a pickup request doesn’t come. In this case, you should return to the waiting area. Don’t worry! You will not lose your place at the front of the line.

How do I know if I should head back to the waiting area?

You will receive a notification in the driver app with the option to accept a Prematch dispatch.