media access and parking
Access to Airport Facilities
Federal regulations generally limit access to sterile areas of airports (those located beyond security checkpoints) to ticketed travelers, airport employees and people with legitimate airport business.
In keeping with those regulations, the Metropolitan Airports Commission does not provide media access to airline gate areas, concessions, the airfield or any other sites beyond security checkpoints. The only exceptions are for:
- Public Meetings of the Metropolitan Airports Commission
- MAC news conferences or media events held in the sterile area
- Meetings with MAC employees
Reporters wishing to gain access to leased locations in the sterile area, such as airline gate areas or airport concessions, must work with the leaseholder to gain access. Leaseholders have the right to approve or deny that access at their discretion.
Parking for the Media
Only microwave trucks may use the live media parking areas near the terminals. All other media vehicles must park in a ramp. Please note: MSP's roadway system cannot accommodate satellite trucks. The height clearance on the Lindbergh Terminal roadway (Glumack Drive) is 11 feet, 8 inches. The height clearance on the Humphrey Terminal roadway (Humphrey Drive) is 14 feet. General and Value Parking ramps have height clearances of 6 feet 10 inches or 7 feet, depending on the facility. Short term ramps have a height restriction of 8 feet, 2 inches.
Security regulations require that all vehicles, including media trucks, parked near a terminal be attended at all times. Vehicles are subject to inspection by airport authorities.
Live Shots
Local television media outlets (KSTP, WCCO, KMSP, KARE and FOX) have provided hard-wired cable to one or both terminals and have first priority for parking in live media parking areas. Areas for live shots include:
Lindbergh Terminal
- The mezzanine level above the ticketing lobby, near the entrance to the Gold parking ramp skyway
- At live truck parking on the east upper level roadway near the Green parking ramp
- The Baggage Claim Level near Door 1
Humphrey Terminal
- The north end of the terminal in the Ticketing Lobby
- At live truck parking on the north end of the terminal, near the bus turnaround area