It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving the airport. However, these trips work a little differently than other requests.

Waiting for requests

Uber’s technology uses a first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue. This means that, in order to receive a trip request, you need to enter the designated waiting area, located within a “FIFO zone”. You will then be placed in a virtual queue where the first driver-partner to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, the waiting area is located in two areas of the airport. The primary waiting area is the parking spaces located directly outside of the Sheraton Four Points. If those spots are filled, please use the waiting lot located off of Houston Goodson Way (see map below).

Some things to know about FIFO queues:

Proximity to the terminal within the FIFO zone does not create an advantage for driver-partners or move you closer to the top of the queue.

If there are no driver-partners in the FIFO zone, trip requests will go to Uber driver-partners in the area - outside of the FIFO zone - based on proximity and other factors. You can lose your place in line if: You go offline on your Uber driver app You drive outside the FIFO zone You do not accept multiple incoming trip requests in a row You cancel multiple rides (if the rider cancels, you will remain at the top of the queue)



Picking up your rider

Once you accept a trip request, the pickup location at the airport is located outside of the terminal (see map below).