So you've got plans to go and pick someone up at the Tampa International Airport. You drive out, navigate all the colorful airport signage as you get closer, spot your person, park quickly as they load their bags in the trunk, and drive off; quick, relatively easy, and pain free.
But, not any more. Beginning December 20, Tampa International Airport will ban motorists from parking and waiting in their cars in the two lanes closest to the arrivals level curbside according to the Tampa Tribune.
Airport officials claim that curbside parking on the arrivals level only satisfies a very small percentage of customers while disappointing the majority. They say people picking up travelers can use one-hour free parking in the short-term lot or wait in the cell phone lot rather than curbside.
This is part of a larger effort to expand the capacity and life expectancy of Tampa International Airport's main terminal instead of spending billions on a new terminal before they really need to.
The airport took a hit when it came to customer traffic after the economy crashed, but soon hopes to accomodate 35 million passengers annually, delaying the need for a new terminal until 2041.
Tampa will join airports in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Miami in banning vehicles from parking and permitting active loading only at the curbside in the arrivals area.
