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Driving at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

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 for driver-partners

Per airport regulations, driver-partners must adhere to the terms below while on airport property. Failure to do so may result in the receipt of a citation or restriction of access to airport trips. Please note that Uber will not pay for any citations that driver-partners may incur.

When on airport property, the Uber driver app must be open at all times (driver-partners must not go offline until exiting the airport area)

  • Driver-partners may wait for requests in the designated waiting area (see map below)
  • Driver-partners waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber driver app
  • Waiting at terminals or elsewhere on airport property is prohibited and may result in a citation
  • Uber driver-partners may only use the restroom in the waiting lot
  • All ride pickups must occur at the designated locations selected by riders in the Uber app
  • The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield facing outward.

Pickups at the airport

How pickup requests work

It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving the 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-partner to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, driver-partners must wait for trip requests in the designated waiting lot on Airport Recirculation Road (see map below).

Some things to know about designated queue zones:

  • Proximity to the terminal within the designated queue zone does not create an advantage for driver-partners or move you closer to the top of the queue
  • If there are no driver-partners in the designated queue zone, trip requests will go to Uber driver-partners in the area 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 designated queue zone
    • You do not accept multiple trip requests in a row
    • You cancel multiple rides (if the rider cancels, you will remain in the queue)

Dropoffs at the airport

How dropoffs work

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, riders can be dropped off at their requested terminal on the Departures/Ticketing level. If you’d like to receive a trip request afterward, you’ll need to keep the Uber driver app on to maintain your place in the designated driver queue.

Re-Match feature

We’ve also launched the Re-Match feature at PHL. To qualify for Re-Match, driver-partners must first complete a dropoff at the airport. Re-Match then allows any driver-partner who just completed an airport dropoff to temporarily receive a pickup request and complete a pickup without having to go to the waiting lot. Airport regulations prohibit loitering in the terminal area. Idling at the curb may result in a citation from airport authorities.

Important info on pickups

Philadelphia International Airport

New pickup location on Commercial road

Beginning December 7, the majority of pickups will relocate to the Commercial Vehicle road parallel to the public Arrivals road. To reach the new pickup points, follow the in-app navigation and use the road marked for “Commercial Vehicles Only.” You may be required to show your waybill and/or active driver app to airport personnel in order to access this road. Please be prepared to show your app if requested.

Some passengers may still choose to be picked up on the public Departures roadway. Pay close attention to your app to see whether your rider is requesting from Arrivals or Departures.