Drivers going to and from the new terminal have reported some disruptions – in the form of long lines to pick up their passengers. KCI says it’s addressing intermittent traffic congestion, but reminds the public that the new station has been open for four days — so there’s a learning curve for everyone. On a Friday morning, drivers say they waited 40 minutes to get to the terminal. During the afternoon, there was absolutely no waiting—Michael Mills has been driving for Uber for years and has done hundreds of pickups at KCI during that time. “Wednesday night,” he said, “I think I waited an hour to get to the lounge at midnight.” He continued, “It passed several times. It was in the morning, day and night. The most I had to wait was about an hour, and the least I had to wait was half an hour.” Thirty minutes after he spoke with KMBC, he took his first flight from the new airport terminal. He didn’t wait at all, he’s hoping this is a sign of what’s to come, as he’s about to not board any flights at KLIA. “I’ve picked up some very angry people,” he said on Friday. “It’s not a fun experience anymore. Where before they love our glamorous airport, even though it doesn’t have much in it, at least we can take people in a practical way.” Bill Williams also drives for a living, with 5 Guys Transportation Services. On Thursday, he drove the KMBC crew around and around and around the new station. Williams pointed out where a Dodge Caravan should park to pick up its passengers, and drove it by all the hotel buses and buses that had stopped in their designated areas—as their passengers waited. At times, it can easily slide into dozens of feet intended for commercial haulage services. In other cases, he waited in line while a car took two lanes, or a hotel shuttle bus attempted to parallel park in an available spot in its designated area. timing. He said, “I think timing issues and things like that, they’ll fix most of that.” to do the same. The first four days illustrated the learning curve at KCI – each day bringing a different set of problems and solutions to both the airport and those who use the airport. Is aware of the congestion problem around the station, and publishes solutions. These include: Deploying more traffic officers as needed to help direct cars and drivers. Expand the access area to two lanes of traffic when necessary Prevent people from stopping or slowing while waiting for their passengers in the traffic lanes – instead, drive back if your passengers do not have recourse. Not out yet, remind everyone to use the Cell Phone Lot, which is about five minutes from the new terminal, near the Airport MarriottDrivers, the guides on the airport’s new terminal website can also be used.
Drivers going to and from the new terminal have reported some disruptions – in the form of long lines to pick up their passengers.
KCI He says it addresses intermittent traffic congestion, but reminds the public that the new station has been open for four days – so there’s a learning curve for everyone.
On Friday morning, the drivers said they waited 40 minutes to get to the building. During the afternoon, there was no waiting at all.
Michael Mills has been driving for Uber for years, and has done hundreds of pick-ups at KCI over that time. “Wednesday night,” he said, “I think I waited an hour to get into the lounge at midnight.”
He continued, “It was several different times. It was morning, day and night. The most I had to wait was about an hour, the least I had to wait half an hour.” Thirty minutes after he spoke with KMBC, he took his first flight from the new airport terminal. He didn’t wait at all.
He’s hoping this is a sign of what’s to come, since he’s about to catch no rides at KCI.
“I’ve picked up some very angry people,” he said on Friday. “It’s not a fun experience anymore. Where they used to like our charming airport, even though it didn’t have much, at least we can take people in a practical way.”
Bill Williams also drives for a living, with 5 men for transportation services. On Thursday, the KMBC crew drove around—and around—the new building.
Williams pointed out where a Dodge Caravan should park to pick up its passengers, and she drove all the hotel buses and buses that had stopped in their designated areas—waiting for their passengers, too. At times, it can easily slide into dozens of feet intended for commercial haulage services. In other cases, he waited in line while a car took two lanes, or a hotel shuttle bus attempted to parallel park in an available spot in its designated area.
To his trained eye—and he works from midnight to noon—it’s all about timing. He said, “I think the timing issues and things like that, they’ll fix most of that.”
For 5 Guys, the new station brought new records for trips saved on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Thursday was on track to do the same. The first four days illustrated the learning curve at KCI – each day brings a different set of problems and solutions to both the airport and those who use the airport.
Joe McBride of the Kansas City Department of Aviation noted Friday afternoon that the airport is aware of the congestion problem around the terminal, and is posting solutions. These include:
- Deploy more traffic officers as needed to help direct cars and drivers
- Expansion of the arrivals area to two traffic lanes when necessary
- Prevent people from stopping or slowing down while waiting for their passengers in traffic lanes – instead, drive again if passengers haven’t exited yet
- Remind everyone to use Cell phone lotwhich is about five minutes away from the new building, near the Airport Marriott Hotel
Drivers can also use the guides on New Airport Terminal website.
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