EDITORIAL: Passenger pickup pleaser

Most of us have been there, probably far too many times to count. The potential for long waits looms large, particularly with all the traffic. It’s just one of the hazards of living in the Las Vegas Valley.

No, we’re not talking about the Spaghetti Bowl from 4 to 6 p.m. on any given weekday, or the Tropicana Avenue exit off Interstate 15 on a Friday evening. We’re talking about passenger pickup at McCarran International Airport. We’re all fortunate to live in such a popular city, but with that fortune comes family and friends from afar, traveling in and hoping for a free chauffeur to their hotel — or worse, your home — upon landing at McCarran.

The airport’s drive-thru passenger pickup area is actually a pretty helpful tool, but it’s always been a tricky dance for drivers who hope to avoid having to circle around two or three times, or having to give in and pay for short-term parking. But that doesn’t have to happen anymore.

As reported by the Review-Journal’s Richard N. Velotta, McCarran has quietly opened a cellphone parking lot, an area at which people picking up passengers can wait until those guests call from the arrivals curb. The lot is located on the south end of the airport’s Economy Lot, accessible off Kitty Hawk Way. Some signs have been installed, with others to come, guiding motorists to the lot.

The lot is ample, with 115 spaces, and best of all, parking is free. McCarran is following the lead of several other airports that have had such lots for years, including Denver, Phoenix and Reno.

“We had been receiving a number of inquiries about it for a long time,” said Chris Jones, McCarran’s chief marketing officer. “After reviewing it and looking at all the details, we decided to go ahead with it.”

With McCarran traffic continuing to rise, it’s a laudable move that provides locals with money-saving convenience. Kudos to Clark County Director of Aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis and all others involved in this effort.