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Driving at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

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 drivers

Per DTW airport regulations, drivers must adhere to the terms below. Failure to do so may result in the restriction of access to airport trips.

  • Pickups must occur in the Ground Transportation Center at the Reserved/Pre-Arranged Transportation & Permit Parking Lot. Look for “Rideshare” signs as you approach the terminals to verify you are in the right place.
  • All drivers must check in at the booth in the Ground Transportation Center before pickup and show airport personnel the electronic waybill.
  • Airport property and personnel must be respected when at the airport.
  • When on airport property, the Uber driver app must be open at all times (drivers must not go Offline until exiting the airport area).
  • There is a designated driver queue zone at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The driver queue zone is only active in the designated area and drivers waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber driver app.
  • The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield facing outward. Drivers can obtain this Uber decal by filling out this form to receive one by mail.
  • DTW expects Uber drivers to maintain the cleanliness of its on-property restrooms, if used. Please dispose of all trash in the receptacles provided.

Pro tips

  • Driver cancellations: Trip cancellations can take away from the great Uber experience that both 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 Uber 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
  • Consider contacting your rider to confirm they will meet you in the Ground Transportation Center and have followed signs to the Rideshare pickup

Pickups at the airport

How pickup requests work

It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving the Detroit 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.

The FIFO Zone at DTW is located on DTW Airport property and is marked “Rideshare Hold Lot.” The lot can be accessed via Goddard Rd and 94 Service Dr (see map below in the section titled DTW Pickup maps). DO NOT wait in the Ground Transportation Center for pickups.

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 Uber 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 Uber driver app - You drive outside the FIFO zone - You do not accept multiple incoming trip requests in a row - You cancel a ride (if the rider cancels, you will remain at the top of the queue)

Picking up your rider

Once you accept a trip request, the pickup location at the airport is located inside the Ground Transportation Center (see map below).

  • Follow signs for Commercial / Rideshare Vehicles
  • Stop at the check-in attendant and display your Waybill (in-app)
  • Follow directions of the parking staff; pull into a parking space before allowing a rider to enter your vehicle
  • Do NOT pick up inside Arrivals
  • Always remain in your vehicle when in the Ground Transportation Center

Dropoffs at the airport

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, riders can be dropped off at Departures. 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 FIFO queue.

DTW pickup map