Step-by-step guide to new SFO rideshare pickup zone Change is hard. Here's some help scaling the learning curve.

Pick up zone D adjacent to Terminal 2 at SFO's new rideshare lot- Zones B, D and F are best. Pick up zone D adjacent to Terminal 2 at SFO's new rideshare lot- Zones B, D and F are best. Photo: Chris McGinnis Photo: Chris McGinnis Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Step-by-step guide to new SFO rideshare pickup zone 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

United celebrates Pride Month this June

Change is hard. Especially when it comes to our travel habits. A decade ago, most travelers arriving at SFO were in the habit of heading downstairs to the taxi queues to get into the city or their final Bay Area destination.

That all changed when Uber and Lyft showed up on the scene. At that time, many of us adjusted to using our smartphones to call up a ride, and then meet it at the airport's departures level curb. That was revolutionary at the time, and travelers quickly adapted their habits around it. But it was a change.

Recently, ridesharing at the airport has become too popular. Picking up an Uber, Lyft or Wingz ride at the SFO curbside became a zoo of arriving and departing rideshare and private cars. Roadway traffic slowed to a crawl. Frustrated travelers waiting for rides crowded the curbs waiting and checking phones and scanning traffic for their rides.

This week, SFO implemented a new plan to relieve the congestion: Now most domestic terminal rideshare pick ups take place at a new lot located on the top level of the central parking garage. UberX, Lyft and Wingz pick-ups are no longer permitted at the departures roadway curbs. More expensive Uber Black and SUV cars can still use the curb. (All drop-offs will continue to use the curb.)

It's a new travel habit we'll have to get used to. And there will be a learning curve, of course, among both riders and drivers. We are already hearing about frustrations with the day-old plan, so if you are planning to get picked up at the airport, here's a step-by-step guide to how the new system works. Like any travel habit, it's going to take some time to get used to. [See slideshow at the top for a look around the new pickup zone.]

Here's our step-by-step guide based on an initial look at the operation earlier this week. Note that pickups at the international terminal remain unchanged at curbside.

Step 1: Get off your domestic flight, enter the terminal, and then open your rideshare app as you get close to the exit, and request a car. (Just like before.) Uber's instructions tell you to wait until you get to the lot to request your car-- that might work in theory, but I know most people call up their car as they are walking toward the pick up area. It will take 3-5 minutes for you to walk from airport ticketing areas to the new pick up zone.

Step 2: Figure out where you'll meet your ride in the new rideshare pick up lot. (This is where it can get tricky.) When you open the app, it will determine your location and assign you to one of five zones in the pick up area: If you arrive in Terminal 1 (Southwest or Delta), you'll be assigned to zones B or C. For Terminal 2 (Alaska, American) it's Zone D. For United's Terminal 3, it's Zones E or F. Unlike before, you will not have the option of telling the driver where to meet you. The app will tell you where to meet your driver. (However, you do still have the option of calling or messaging your driver with your preferred pick up location in the zone. You can also proceed to a zone you prefer and then order your car from there.)

Step 3: Determine your walking route to your zone. First off, you need to know that there are only THREE sky bridges that extend over terminal roadways to pick up zones. These are at zones B, D and F. Using these sky bridges is the easiest way to get to the new pick up zones. If possible, you should always default to one of these three zones. To find them, just look for elevators or escalators to the AirTrain stations.

Photo: SFO Here's a diagram of the new ridesharing pick up area on the top of...

Step 4: Aim for zones B (Terminal 1), D (Terminal 2) and F (Terminal 3) if possible. If you arrive on a Delta flight and call up your ride from the terminal, you'll be assigned to Zone C, and that means a walk down and through the parking deck, then an elevator or stairs up to the loading zone. Same goes for United passengers arriving at Terminal 3's E gates. My advice here would be to wait to call your car until you get close to the escalators or the AirTrain so the app will assign you to the easier B, D or F zones.

Don't miss: Sunday night chaos at SFO's new Uber/Lyft pick up zone

Step 5: Follow signage and walk to your pick up zone, then look for stanchions or other signage to your specific slot. Remember how you picked up your car by door number at the curb? Now, you'll be a assigned a zone and slot number where you'll meet your car. For example, if you'll meet your driver at F-3, that means you'll walk to the F zone, then look for slot 3. Stand there and wait for your ride.

Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email updates.

I know this likely sounds confusing, and it is going take a few tries to get it right. You'll likely encounter confusion on the part of your driver, too, until they all get used to the new system. Remember, learning new travel habits takes time. [See slideshow at the top for a look around the new pickup zone.]

According to SFO spokesman Doug Yakel, things are going as planned as of Thursday: "We're pleased with how the move has gone thus far. This was a big change for both drivers and passengers, and we appreciate the patience and understanding of both. Credit is due to the TNCs, who did a great job updating their apps to ensure that their passengers received accurate information and guidance. Based on our initial assessments, this move is already accomplishing our goal to improve roadway traffic flow around SFO. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance the new pickup area for our guests, with automated sliding doors, parklets, shelters and additional canopies and seating."

Have you tried SFO's new pick up zones yet? Any advice for fellow travelers? Tell us how it went in the comments.

Read all recent TravelSkills posts here

Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here

Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis.