Speed Gibson

We're back from 6 days of perfect Florida weather along the Gulf Coast near Tampa. It was sunny and 86 when we left, 54 and raining when we landed. But at least I have Internet access again, and the TSA had my cell phone waiting for me. The only real negative? Public transportation.

Someone told me how much easier and cheaper it is to park at the Humphrey terminal. The Hiawatha Line takes you to the main (Lindberg) terminal for free, just 3 minutes according to the airport web site. They fail to mention two important facts:

1. The light rail does not stop at the Humphrey terminal. The station is actually at the edge of the parking ramp, a lengthy (1/4 mile?) distance from the terminal entrance. You simply walk through a labeled section of the ramp, some of which you share with the traffic.


2. The light rail does not stop at the Lindberg terminal, either. It stops at the rental car garage, where you must take another tram to the far end of the basement level.

All told, to be safe, you need to allow 35 minutes for this journey, to cover maximum wait times for the Hiawatha and Tram. Best time is about 25 minutes, carrying your luggage, most of it walking and 5 stories of escalators.

It is cheaper and not as full, but next time I'll allow the needed extra time plus enough to drop off everyone else and the luggage first.