Gatwick airport

cherry76

I need to pick somebody at Gatwick airport, does anybody know where I could ask that person to wait for me without having to go and park? Thanks

kittykat100

I am an airport transfer taxi driver If coming out of South Terminal ask them to go downstairs via the ramp to departures. You can wait for up to 40 mins I think (could be 60) in Mcdonalds carpark FOC - on the South Terminal. Ask them to call you when they have picked up their LAST bag and give it a few minutes to allow them to get to the bottom floor and get them to wait just outside the doors. You can then drive and pick them up. DO NOT attempt to hang around as there are the yellow peril patrolling so timing is of the essence.

If they are coming from the North Terminal you can ask them to call you when they have the last bag and then just walk straight out of the terminal. You can park in the BP petrol station for up to 40 mins FOC. Then follow the instructions as above.

Hope this helps

basill

When I get collected I head for the courtesy bus area, Kittycat100s advice is good get your passenger to phone ahead when they have all their bags.
You can check your passengers flight progress on the net, if you are at the airport too early there is an airport workers cafe which is open to all. Drive up towards the north terminal, past the petrol station and follow the airport perimiter road. You will come to a gate that looks like the entrance to an industrial estate. Just inside here to the right is a grey portacabin type cafe with toilets, tea, grub and free parking. Limited to an hour but they don`t enforce it with cameras like McDs or |BP.

kittykat100

Basil,

Just watch out for the yellow peril up there, they do come round very occasionally, but it is a good place, you will find lots of cabbies up there

cherry76

Thanks for this useful information Kitty. He is coming out of South Terminal. Is the arrival & departure lounge near each other. As my husband says to ask him to go to departure and if it remembers well there is a drop by bay where he could wait for us. Thanks again, will follow your advice.

kittykat100

Arrivals and Departures are on the same floor (upstairs) he will have to come downstairs (via the ramp is best - the lift will be confusing), to the ground floor, as he comes out get him to wait to the left.
I would not advise waiting at the drop by unless you have already spoken to him and he is on his way out as the traffic wardens don't mess about there.
When coming to pick him up as you come into the terminal stick to the left hand lane - you will have to filter to the middle lane because you are not allowed up the bridge so everyone goes the same way. Follow the road round keeping to the left side and you will go undercover, car rentals will be on your left, keep going towards the end and you will see where the passengers come out of the terminal. The lane to the right is for busses, but they do let people drop off there when busy but keep to the left hand one to avoid confusion.
You will get 45 mins at the McDonalds on the South Terminal to wait for free.
Kittyx

cherry76

Kitty is the Macdonalds near the South Terminal. I mean, can I go and park there and then go and get him? Thanks

kittykat100

Hi,

If you drive into South Terminal and follow it all the way round you will come across McDonalds right next to the BP. You could walk it but once you have done a reckkie you will see its best to wait for the phone call from him once he is out of the arrivals.

Kittyx