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Driving at Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

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

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

  • When on airport property, the 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 Sacramento International Airport. The FIFO system only works within the designated geofenced area; drivers waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Driver app.
  • The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield and rear passenger windshield facing outward. Drivers can obtain this Uber decal at their local Greenlight Hub or fill out this form to receive one by mail.
  • It is illegal under state and federal law for anyone, including rideshare drivers, to engage in price fixing. This includes agreeing or coordinating with other drivers (in airport staging lots or elsewhere) on pricing and surge pricing. The law requires that drivers must make decisions about pricing and surge pricing on their own.

Pro tips

  • Driver cancellations: Trip cancellations can take away from the great Uber experience that 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 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’s 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 to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, the waiting area is located north of I-5, just off Crossfield Drive near the Cell Phone Lot on airport property (see map below).

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 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 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 at the airport, you can use Lindbergh Drive to head to designated pickup areas at:

  • Terminal A, located at the West Curb at the northwest corner of the terminal.
  • Terminal B, located at the West Commercial Curb, north of the short-term parking lot.

How ExpressMatch pickups work

Rather than being matched with a specific rider while in the waiting lot, you’ll be instructed in-app to begin navigating to the UberX pickup area. ExpressMatch is currently operating at both Terminals.

Drive to the designated UberX pickup area once you are prompted to begin navigating in-app. Be sure to follow signs for the UberX pickup area.

Pull up to the pickup zone on either Terminal A or Terminal B as prompted by the app. Once you arrive at the pickup zone, remain inside your vehicle.

Wait to receive the next UberX pickup request.

Dropoffs at the airport

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

Re-Match feature

  • The re-match feature allows partners who just completed an airport drop off to receive a pickup request without having to go to the TNC Waiting Lot. To qualify for re-match, drivers must complete a drop off at the airport.
  • If you’re in the terminal and don’t receive a request after a few moments, please drive to the TNC Waiting Lot to wait for a pickup request. Please do not loiter in the terminal, as idling at the curb can still result in a fine.

Staging information