Arrivals pickup guide

TYSCell Phone Lot: Location, Time Limit & Tips

Picking someone up at Knoxville (TYS)? The Phone & Wait 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 TYS cell phone lot?

The TYS cell phone lot is called the Phone & Wait Lot. The free Phone & Wait Lot is on airport property behind the Hilton Knoxville Airport (2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701), off the airport's loop road, beside Terminal Lot B. From Alcoa Highway (US-129), take the McGhee Tyson Airport exit and follow the loop road past the terminal toward the Hilton; posted signs direct drivers to the lot rather than the terminal curb.

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

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

No published time limit — free short-term waiting area. 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 Phone & Wait Lot holds approximately 90–95 spaces (per the airport's own announcement when the lot was expanded). 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?

Ask your passenger to call or text once they have their bags and are walking out to the curb; the drive from the Phone & Wait Lot to the terminal takes only a couple of minutes at this small airport, so there's no need to leave the lot early.

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.

TYS cell phone lot tips

Wait for a call from your arriving passenger — they can use their own phone or one of the courtesy phones outside baggage claim — rather than circling or idling at the terminal curb.

• 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 TYS cell phone lot is full?

If the Phone & Wait Lot is full when you arrive, you have three practical options:

• Pull into short-term or daily parking. Most TYS 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