Pick Someone up at Boston's Logan International Airport

So...you're in Boston for one reason or another. And whether you're just visiting, or you've been living here for a while, you may find yourself needing to pick someone up from Logan International Airport. While this may seem like a reasonably simple task, be warned: Logan International Airport is one of the most confusing and poorly designed airports in the world. One wrong turn can lead you to hours of meandering your way through confusing streets trying to get back to the airport. However, with many of the tips and instructions described in this article, you will be able to easily accomplish this seemingly difficult task...so don't give in and shell out the money for a cab just yet.

Steps

  1. Find out as many details about the flight of the person who you're picking up. Be sure to stay well-informed if anything changes. Know their estimated time of arrival (E.T.A.), the terminal they will be arriving in, their airline, and if possible, the gate at which they will deplane. Knowing this information ahead of time will facilitate picking them up.
  2. Find out how to get to Logan Airport from your location. Online map sites such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MapQuest, or Windows Live Local tend to confuse more than help. If you know your general location and how to get to the major highways around you, point your browser to the Logan International Airport Web page at http://www.massport.com/logan/. Then click on "Getting to and from Logan" on the right side of the page. Follow the directions.
  3. Leave your house, hotel, or other location in which you are living. Make sure to give yourself a lot of extra time to get there, since Boston is notorious for its horrible rush-hour traffic. It is usually better to arrive a little before the person gets in, so you can help them get their luggage and so they won't wander around if they can't find you.
  4. Drive to Logan International Airport. Pay careful attention to the signs, especially as you get closer to the airport. The signs near the airport can be especially confusing. Be sure know what terminal you are going to, because if you miss your exit, you will have a hard time finding your way back to it. Also, beware that there may be some detours, so being alert and possibly having a helper assist you in navigating is a good idea.
  5. When you get to the airport, unless you are in a rush, it is best to head to parking. If you are waiting for too long (more than a minute or two) in the arrivals pick-up area, the airport police will ask you to leave (even during late-night and early-morning hours). Locating someone in an arrival area takes time and few phone calls, and can be an absolute nightmare.
  6. Park your car. Some terminals, such as B, have their own parking garages, which provide fast and easy access to the terminal. If you're not sure or the terminal (such as C) does not have its own garage, park in central parking. In the road that circles the airport, there will be signs and a turnoff for central Parking. When you see the turnoff, turn off and follow the road (and signs) until you enter the Central parking garage. The bottom floors are usually full, closed off for another reason, or extremely crowded, so your best bet is to head higher up. When you arrive at a desirable floor, follow the overhead signs that point to the terminal you will be picking someone up at. Follow those signs to the terminal entrance (or to the entrance to a pedestrian bridge to your terminal) and then find the nearest parking to it.
  7. Get out of your car and follow the signs to your desired terminal. Be sure to take your parking ticket with you.
  8. When you get to the right terminal, call whoever you are picking up and agree on a place to meet. If their cell phone is off, they are probably still on the plane. It is best to pre-arrange a meeting place, such as the baggage claim, or at the gate.
  9. When you are ready to leave, go back to your car the way you came. Be sure to pay for parking on the way out at the ExitExpress pay stations. It will speed up your departure. Find your car, get in, and follow the signs to the parking garage exit.
  10. If you are in a rush, and don't have time to park, tell your friend, or whoever it may be, in advance, to meet you at the arrivals pick-up area at their terminal. Tell them to be there promptly. When you are at the airport, follow the signs to the arrivals area of their terminal. When you get there, park by the curb and look around for them. Call them if possible and let them know where you are and what car you are in. If they are still getting luggage or are delayed getting outside, wait until your are asked to leave by the police. Then, leave the arrivals area and follow the signs to the main road. When you get back onto the main road, stay on it until the turnoff for the arrivals area again. Then repeat this step if they are still not there. Pay close attention to the signs. Stay on the main road and only turn off where you are supposed to.
  11. Exit the airport. Follow the overhead signs to the highway that you came in on. Beware that you may have to pay a toll on some roads.

Tips

  • Pay very, very, very, very close attention to the signs. Sometimes a turnoff may "appear" without any warning.
  • Have a good road map of Boston with you.
  • Know that there is a "cell phone waiting area" before the parking lots. If you're early and don't want to park, you can wait there for 30 minutes for your party to text or call and let you know that they are ready for a pick up.

Warnings

  • If you exit by mistake into a tunnel while circling around, you may have to go many miles before you can reach a good turn-around point.
  • If you exit the airport into east Boston by accident, it may take you an hour or so to find your way back to the airport.

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