Hartsfield-Jackson to add cellphone waiting lot

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is opening its first cellphone waiting lot Thursday, offering a free place for people to wait while arriving passengers get to the curbside.

The airport is opening a 160-space cellphone lot for the South terminal at the east end of the park-ride reserve lot (map). Passengers cannot leave vehicles unattended, and airport officials will monitor the lot.

Cellphone lots have opened at a number of other airports around the country, allowing people to park and wait for free at a remote lot, often for a limited amount of time, until they receive a call from friends or family ready to be picked up at the curb.

Hartsfield-Jackson general manager Louis Miller hopes cellphone lots will reduce curbside congestion by cars circling the airport as they wait for friends or family to make their way to the curbside.

Ultimately, Miller aims to open a total of three cellphone lots at the airport -- one each for the south, north and new international terminals.

Airports Council International-North America found that 47 of 89 airports it surveyed in 2010 have cellphone lots, including Charleston, Birmingham, Savannah/Hilton Head, New York-John F. Kennedy, Washington Dulles, Miami and many others. Some lots offer Wi-Fi coverage or flight information displays.

About the Author

Home Depot cuts outlook amid housing slump and consumer uncertainty

Home Depot said its net income dipped to $3.6 billion during the third quarter, down 1.3% from the same period last year.

Global software firm announces Atlanta expansion with 250 new jobs

Sales software company Salesforce announced Tuesday it will invest $15 million to expand its Georgia operations, adding 250 new jobs to Fulton County by the end of 2028.

Downtown Atlanta’s Hotel Phoenix takes flight, sets opening date

The opening comes as Centennial Yards and its parent, CIM Group, push ahead on several key projects across the 50-acre site, the largest project the city has seen in decades.

The Latest

Credit: Special

Beyond the odometer: What matters most in a used car

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

Featured

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.