Picking someone up from Newark Airport at 5 during rush hour today…

Submitted by -pippo- t3_yfx7k8 in newjersey

Hey guys, it’s my first time picking someone from the Newark airport and of course during rush hour. How hard is it to pick someone up from Terminal B if it’s a curbside pick up? Want to see any last second tips! Thank you!

EDIT: Thank you for the tips guys, hopefully I make it out alive. Leaving for the airport in 5 minutes. Godspeed

UPDATE: Was surprisingly not bad at all, was able to pull up to the level 1 Terminal B arrival spot with ease! Just went down the line of parked cars and pulled into an open spot that recently opened up due to a car dipping as I was pulling up. In and out, EZPZ. Might have been an anomaly though!

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Comments

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HolyShonks t1_iu5mzcj wrote

The tip is to pick them up on the departure level instead of the arrivals level, which tends to have more cars idling and taking longer to pack up and go. That said, its still going to be a huge pain in the ass.

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rtk117117 t1_iu5n1kk wrote

Honestly not easy. Your best bet is to go park at Jersey Gardens Mall and wait for your friend to call you and tell you that they have their luggage and are ready. Then drive the 5 minutes and pick them up.

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brook_lyn_lopez t1_iu5n71i wrote

It’s better to be 20 min late than 20 min early. Your friend can wait but if you get there early, you can’t idle in front of the terminal.

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ThanksNew9906 t1_iu5nc5y wrote

Check the flight status online before heading over. You don’t want to hang around if the flight is delayed.

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FallenTofu t1_iu5nlab wrote

Replying to HolyShonks (#293,225)

Second this. Note that there are 2 departure levels, so make sure you meet them at the right one (Level 2 for the typically domestic airlines or Level 3 for international). Also there are numbered doors so when they arrive on the departure level, meet them at the corresponding door to make your life easier (ascending from Door 01 to however many there are as you arrive into the terminal from right to left).

If you want to, you can wait nearby in Elizabeth or the nearby areas so you're not hovering at the terminals / having to drive in circles. There are fast food places / restaurants if you want to grab a coffee or a snack and then head over in under 10-15 minutes.

As the poster below noted, if they have checked luggage, it's still easier for them to travel up via the escalators/elevators and exit instead of having you meet at Arrivals (Level 1).

Lastly, when you exit, be mindful of cars drifting in and out of lanes since the markings for the highways are very cluttered and your time to merge/change lanes is very short. Have an idea of what highways/roads you want to take and make sure you look for those signs quickly since the exits come up fast. Safe driving and best of luck.

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cydonia8388 t1_iu5oc2m wrote

Idle in front of Term A as long as you can. When they chase you out go to Term B.

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nicehuman16 t1_iu5oldk wrote

Use the cell phone lot. You will find it on GPS.

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Loyalchiver t1_iu5pg5b wrote

I agree. Tell them after getting their bags to all the way to the top departure so much quicker.

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moudine t1_iu5pi6c wrote

Replying to -pippo- (#293,596)

It's been full every time I've picked someone up at EWR, any time of day or night. People parked along the shoulders of the exits and such, too.

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New_Stats t1_iu5pq8h wrote

oh Jesus. I'll light a prayer candle for you.

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StewofPuppies t1_iu5px1f wrote

Bro just accept that you will drive around the airport at least a dozen times and if you drive less than that consider yourself lucky. Better to arrive late than early

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lost_in_life_34 t1_iu5q3g0 wrote

Hang out in the cell phone lot until they text you to get them then it’s like 5-10 minutes

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-686 t1_iu5qgo6 wrote

Hang out on the departure level for terminal B, and tell your friend to meet you at departure, not arrival.

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newwriter365 t1_iu5ruvj wrote

Too late to make a difference now, but if you are taking them south, ask them to take the train to metro park and get them there.

Less aggravating and they get to see some of New Jersey

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Dskha323 t1_iu5sfwd wrote

Ask them to pick you up at the departure location not arrival

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Comfortable_Monk7372 t1_iu5tc6a wrote

I won’t even let my wife arrive to Newark at 5pm on Friday, me no loco

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silentrob2019 t1_iu5tusq wrote

Next thing they'll be asking you to help them move into a 4 story walk up

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The3mpyrean t1_iu5ucaz wrote

Ask em to let you know once they pass immigration (if international arrival) and are waiting for luggage.

If you live 30-45min away, once they pass immigration, you’ll arrive maybe 5-10mins after they walk out. So 5-10min wait for them is nothing. They are not “rushed” out of their spots. Meanwhile you’ll get yelled at if you don’t move out of the spot for 3mins.

As others said, pick em up at DEPARTURE levels, not arrivals. DO NOT go level 1 for B. If you end up couple mins early (i.e. they are walking out with baggage but not outside yet, make another loop around the airport and go back).

Also i always ask to wait for me either at the end or at the beginning of that sidewalk. Usually less traffic and you can GTFO without 174017491 cars blocking you and honking at you.

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The3mpyrean t1_iu5utip wrote

Replying to The3mpyrean (#294,642)

P.S. don’t be that guy/gal who sits parked in 2nd lane pretending to not notice anyone behind them, while the traffic behind you is piling up.

TL;DR don’t be part of the problem.

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wolekmatolek t1_iu5vqo5 wrote

Replying to HolyShonks (#293,225)

This for sure. During insane traffic I’ve even seen police directing people to go to departure to pick someone up. There’s no rules against it, just names for different levels

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Fresh_Photograph_363 t1_iu5vve8 wrote

Except for the normal Friday Rush you'll have no problem pick up is generally easier than delivery

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Partytimegarrth t1_iu5vxwy wrote

It's not gonna be that bad. Don't worry. Before you know it you'll be outta there and laughing/telling stories about the craziness. Just stay focused, aware, and be thankful you aren't picking them up from JFK!

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hyperangelmc t1_iu5x83n wrote

Honestly, you can just sit it the cellphone lot until they come out. Super easy to get to your terminal from there.

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Longtermthrowaway5 t1_iu5xc73 wrote

If the line for departures is shorter than arrivals tell your friend to go to departure drop off instead. Departures are busy early and arrivals are busy late, so I'll do the opposite. Middle.ofnthe day is a wash

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asian_identifier t1_iu5z9ay wrote

just wait on the side of the highway like everyone else

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Actarus31 t1_iu5zt1j wrote

Your post brings back lots of memories here including a cat and a delayed + overcrowded transatlantic flight.. Hope everything went well !

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wynnejs t1_iu601az wrote

I've done this, it's not terrible, but it depends on where you are coming from. Once you are at the airport, follow signs to the cell phone lot, wait there until they have gotten their baggage, then just follow the signs for arrivals, and call them when you stop and tell them which door you are in front of.

The traffic going back however, no amount of planning can make that easier.

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GraysonFerrante t1_iu6033f wrote

Waze REALLY helped me. Waze even took me into other terminals to avoid the main loop backup. Also I went to the top level and had the flyers meet me there, by the nearest door.

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bendingblades t1_iu60duz wrote

You'll be a bit more hardened after this. Godspeed

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Ok_Raisin_8796 t1_iu60g90 wrote

have fun!!!! You may or may not make it back

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Mets1st t1_iu60q33 wrote

Or use the 7-11 by car rental returns and wait

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breakplans t1_iu62aie wrote

Replying to BenBishopsButt (#294,896)

Lol same. My mom offers to do it all the time, any time of day or day of the week. I think she feels obligated because she only lives like 20 minutes away. I’d pay a hundred Ubers not to do that favor for someone.

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SkinnyBill93 t1_iu62yrp wrote

If it isn't too late try to pick them up at departures instead of arrivals.

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BenBishopsButt t1_iu6340d wrote

Replying to breakplans (#296,114)

My father in law is the same way. He offered to drive us when we went to Florida last month, even though there's no way all of our crap and all of us would fit in a regular car. We went for over a week and there was just too much. I hired a local company, and roundtrip it was like $400 including a tip. We got dropped off and picked up in a perfect place and didn't have to worry about lugging two toddlers, a stroller, two car seats, and three suitcases on shuttles. If I'm traveling with my kids I'll never do it any other way until they're old enough to be responsible for helping with the luggage. My sister is coming up with her two kids and I already offered to order the service for her.

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Stampylongtoes t1_iu63dvj wrote

Honestly just wait in the cell phone lot until they text/call you that they’re ready and have them tell you what passenger pick up spot they’re standing at (the big poles by the street have numbers on them)

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ImRedditorRick t1_iu63ipu wrote

I do it at least once a year, but not during rush hour.

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Raven91487 t1_iu6651s wrote

I wonder how it’s going. I’m in nj rn. It’s 5:06. I wonder if all is well 🤣 I hate that fucking place.

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Tooch10 t1_iu67aru wrote

Replying to HolyShonks (#293,225)

Or if you go to arrivals, stay in the outer lane of parked cars and have the person come out to you.

Port Authority does this fun thing were they harass people literally mid-pickup to move along but don't say anything to the people with engines off and no passenger in sight

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day_oh t1_iu68od0 wrote

if you've experienced the insanity in LAX its kinda like that but like in a smaller space

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sg3707 t1_iu6arvq wrote

Take the loss and book a cab

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rmpbklyn t1_iu6dgeg wrote

lol next time tell friends to uber

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betcher73 t1_iu6eo4b wrote

Stay in the parking garage until they are ready. The exit will have numbered waiting areas so they can tell you where they are. It’s super easy if you wait u til they are ready. If You want to pull up and be there when they get out, no good. No waiting at the exits.

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magolmaethor t1_iu6esb7 wrote

Leave at 11am and you might make it on time

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Lainaluna t1_iu6l2iw wrote

My dad always pulls over on the highway before the exit until whoever’s ready to come out— if he’s early 😅

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zac987 t1_iu6mxrl wrote

You’re a good friend. That sounds like hell.

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vegas_gal t1_iu6s5hj wrote

It’s 8pm. Assuming you picked someone up and you are grabbing dinner. How’d it go? Any secret tips?

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eee973 t1_iu6u0gz wrote

Whatever time they tell you to pick them up…. Be there 20 mins after

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EWR-RampRat11-29 t1_iu6xek2 wrote

Have a full tank, and some food and water, in case that you cannot find the exit that you need and wind up circling the terminals for a few days.

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boojieboy666 t1_iu6z3ze wrote

I know you went already but I always park in short term and just wait there. Pay the few bucks for less hassle. Never heard of the cell phone lot until Today tho.

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SophsterSophistry t1_iu6zihd wrote

Are you still circling the terminal? Or was the pickup successful?

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PondRoadPainter t1_iu71edt wrote

Mom here. I get there early, park & walk to the terminal. It’s 10$ for the first hour.

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Nenoshka t1_iu8lqg6 wrote

The gods were certainly smiling upon you.

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10000ForTheWin t1_iu8qsu5 wrote

Replying to -shway (#293,660)

I employ this tactic too. Live 30 minutes from EWR. Normally this tactic works perfectly. Picked up someone last week where the flight spent 75 minutes on the ground waiting for a gate. I found the cell phone lot.

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BenBishopsButt t1_iuamt25 wrote

Replying to SupaRitz (#324,336)

It wasn’t extra. Even though it was a kind offer, we couldn’t have fit in the cars any of us have with five people, two in car seats, and all of our luggage. So we would have had to pay to park. I could have gotten cheap parking, but it still would have been around $150 for the time we were gone, plus tolls and gas, plus I’d have to lug kids and all the crap we had onto and off of a shuttle. Paying for the premium parking so we could avoid a shuttle was over $350, which was the cost of the private car before tip. It was a no brainer.

Our driver knew just where to drop us off, and pickup was completely seamless as well. We just went in one elevator trip from luggage pickup and he was right outside. If it was just me and my husband going for a quick weekend trip we would just park or get a ride, but traveling with a four and two year old complicates things significantly.

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