Arrivals pickup guide

PSCCell Phone Lot: Location, Time Limit & Tips

Picking someone up at Tri-Cities (PSC)? The Cell Phone Waiting Lotis the free designated waiting area where drivers park at no charge while their passenger's flight lands and bags are collected. Below you will find exact directions, the time limit and fee rules, how to know when your passenger is ready, and what to do if the lot is full.

Where is the PSC cell phone lot?

The PSC cell phone lot is called the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. The lot sits northwest of the airport terminal near employee parking at Tri-Cities Airport, 3601 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. It was expanded to 20 stalls as part of a 2024 parking-improvement project. Follow airport signage from the terminal access road toward employee parking; the lot is reached without entering the paid public parking lots.

Open the Cell Phone Waiting Lot in Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation to the lot entrance.

How long can I wait in the PSC cell phone lot?

Free for up to 60 minutes; drivers must remain with their vehicle. There is no charge regardless of how long you stay, but plan your timing so you pull up to arrivals right as your passenger steps outside — circling burns time and fuel, and curbside officers will wave you on if you stop too early.

Capacity: The Cell Phone Waiting Lot holds 20 stalls (expanded in 2024 from the original 10-stall lot opened in 2019). On busy travel days the lot can fill up, so arrive early and have a backup plan.

How do I know when my passenger is ready?

Track your arriving passenger's flight status online, and ask them to text or call the moment they've collected their bags and are walking out to the curb — that's your cue to leave the lot, since PSC's small single terminal means the drive to the curb takes only a minute or two.

As a general rule, ask your passenger to text you only after they have their bags and are physically walking toward the arrivals curb — not when the plane touches down. Checked-bag passengers typically need 15–25 minutes after landing for baggage claim at domestic airports, and 45–60 minutesafter landing at international gates where customs adds extra time. Once you get the “at curb with bags” message, pull out and head straight there — a precise pick-up beats circling every time.

PSC cell phone lot tips

No limousines or commercial vehicles are permitted in the lot. If the lot is ever closed for construction, the airport's short-term and long-term paid lots offer a free first-minutes grace window as a backup — call Parking Concepts Inc. at 509-883-8446 with questions.

• Have the flight number ready. You can track any U.S. flight for free on FlightAware or Flightradar24 — search by flight number to see the live gate arrival time and baggage carousel, not just scheduled wheels-down.
• Agree on a text trigger in advance.Tell your passenger: “Text me ‘bags and outside’ when you are standing on the curb with everything.” That single message is your cue to pull out — no guessing, no phone calls while driving.
• Do not leave the engine running unattended. Most cell phone lots prohibit unattended idling vehicles and some may be towed. If you need to stretch or use a restroom, look for any on-site amenities before the lot, or use a nearby gas station or convenience store.
• Check the arrivals board. Many cell phone lots have on-site flight information display screens — use them alongside your phone to confirm the flight has actually arrived at the gate before you start the clock on baggage claim wait time.

What if the PSC cell phone lot is full?

If the Cell Phone Waiting Lot is full when you arrive, you have three practical options:

• Pull into short-term or daily parking. Most PSC parking garages offer a free or low-cost grace period (typically 15–30 minutes) and have covered, comfortable waiting areas. Check the rate boards before you commit to staying longer.
• Do one slow loop of the airport road. A single circuit of the terminal access road takes 5–8 minutes at most airports. By the time you complete the loop, a space may have opened up, or your passenger may have texted that they are almost ready.
• Wait in an adjacent surface lot or road. Some airports have overflow areas or nearby public streets where brief waiting is tolerated — check local signage. Never stop on the terminal curbside or in a no-stopping zone; officers will direct you to move immediately.

Frequently asked questions