EZ Pickup at DSM: Smoother Arrivals Today, Prepping for Tomorrow

If you’ve swung by Des Moines International Airport to pick someone up lately, you may have noticed that things feel a little different. Maybe the traffic at the terminal curb seemed lighter, or you spotted new signs pointing toward something called EZ Pickup. What began as a practical idea to ease congestion is quickly becoming one of the most seamless improvements at DSM.

A few months ago, our leadership team recognized it was time to rethink the arrival-pickup routine. The front curb has long been one of the airport’s busiest (and, if we’re honest, one of the more stressful) spots. Drivers often pulled up early, idled while they waited for their passengers, and created a backlog of cars lined up without any movement forward. No one meant to create a problem; everyone just wanted to meet their traveler in what they thought was the most efficient manner. But the result was a line of cars, impatient horns, passengers loading and unloading in the driving lanes, the occasional scramble for space, and all during peak travel times. In other words: pure congestion.

At the same time, the airport is deep into planning for the new DSM terminal, the largest construction project in our history. The excitement around that growth came with a reality check: once the new terminal opens, the old one must come down, and during demolition, there will be even less front-curb space than we have today. Even after construction wraps, our steadily increasing passenger numbers will keep the curb busy. Without action now, the traffic back-ups we see today would look mild compared to what was ahead. DSM needed a long-term solution.

Traveler pickup prior to the EZ Pickup program.

EZ Pickup: Safe, Convenient, Predictable

That solution became EZ Pickup. The concept is simple: give drivers a comfortable and convenient place to wait for their travelers without circling the terminal or blocking the front curb. We created a dedicated area inside the new parking garage where anyone can wait free for up to two hours for their passengers and easily text their traveler the exact stall number. No guesswork, no endless loops around Terminal Way and no concern about being ticketed by a police officer.

Introducing any new process at a busy airport can be an adventure. We braced for confusion or pushback, but from the start, the response from the DSM community has been remarkably positive. Most drivers have willingly left the curb when asked, freeing space for those whose passengers are already on the curb, ready to load or unload. The difference is noticeable: the front curb is clearer, safer and calmer. What used to feel like a game of musical cars is slowly becoming a steady, manageable flow of vehicles as more and more cars opt to wait in the EZ Pickup lanes.

Every change comes with a learning curve, of course, and we still have our moments of trial and error as people learned the routine. One complaint we received was that people were upset they couldn't park in EZ Pickup, which is one strict rule of the program. As a gentle reminder to those drivers, you did pull into a parking lot and are still allowed to park in any open stall — just not in the designated EZ Pickup space. But with all new things, changes take time, and week by week, we have been watching it become second nature. Through trial and error, our signage has become clearer, the directions fairly simple, and regular travelers can glide right to the garage without hesitation.

One pleasant surprise has been how smoothly rideshare services fit into the plan. We relocated all Uber and Lyft pickups into the same garage area, which reduced confusion and kept those drivers from clogging the front curb. Passengers now know exactly where to meet their ride, and drivers appreciate a dedicated space without the stress of jockeying for curb access. This small adjustment is already paying off with smoother traffic and happier travelers.

The benefits are easy to see. Traffic backups that once seemed inevitable are now disappearing. Police officers on the curb can now focus on assisting passengers instead of directing cars out of no-parking zones. Families picking up loved ones can relax rather than feeling rushed or in the way.

But EZ Pickup is about more than today’s convenience. It is also a critical step toward DSM’s future. When the new terminal opens and the old terminal comes down, we will lose a significant portion of the curb for a while. Without a system like this already in place, arrivals could become a logistical headache. By helping people get accustomed to EZ Pickup now, we are ensuring that the transition to our new terminal will be as seamless as possible. And even after construction is complete, this approach will remain essential as DSM continues to grow. EZ Pickup isn’t a temporary workaround; it has the potential to become the new normal.

How to Use the EZ Pickup Service

Using the service is straightforward. Drive into the parking garage following the signs to the EZ Pickup area. Choose a stall and text your stall number to your traveler. With two free hours for waiting, you have plenty of time to relax until your passenger is ready. That’s it: no circling, no parking tickets, no stress. The only rule of EZ Pickup is don’t leave your car. If you must head into the terminal, we ask you to move your car into one of our open parking spaces.

We’re grateful to everyone who has embraced this change with patience and flexibility. Change is never easy, but the community’s willingness to adapt has helped make this program a success, even in its first few weeks. We’ve heard from drivers who value having a safe, convenient place to wait and from travelers who say arrivals feel calmer and more predictable.

As construction ramps up, the need for smart traffic management will only grow, and EZ Pickup is already shaping a culture where travelers and drivers work together to keep the airport experience smooth and welcoming. Our team’s goal has always been to make travel through DSM as carefree and stress-free as possible, and this program helps preserve the easy in-and-out convenience people love about our airport.

Next time you’re on pickup duty, give EZ Pickup a try and see how effortlessly it keeps traffic moving and travelers relaxed. By embracing this change now, our community is building habits that will carry Des Moines travelers well into the future, long after the new terminal doors open and beyond.

For more information on the EZ Pickup process, along with any questions you may have, visit our website at FlyDSM.com/EZ-Pickup.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) has one of the best business climates in the country. The region is nationally recognized for having a talented and educated workforce, a cost of doing business 13% below the national average, a low cost of living and an exceptional quality of life. In 2024, Business Facilities Magazine named it a top metro for best business climate.