There's nothing worse than getting off a plane, only to find that the person who was supposed to pick you up...is still stuck in traffic, 45 minutes away.

Now, you can either buy a $15 magazine, and wait it out. Or, you could hail a cab, and spend $985 (+ tip)...for a ride home.

So, why not just leave your car at the airport?

Airport parking

Every major airport has parking garages nearby. So, you have lots of options.

Some airport parking garages offer pickup & delivery, or a free shuttle from the terminal. When you're deciding on which airport parking garage to use, make sure that you take into account how you're going to get from your car, to the plane.

If you plan to be out of town for a while, you may want to consider car storage. Many airport parking providers offer services designed to keep your car in working order, while you're out of town.

They can put a trickle charger on your battery, so it won't die. Then they'll start it up once a month, to keep it in working order.

When you return, many airport car storage facilities will change the oil, wash & wax it, and replace the battery if it's gone bad. Some companies will even deliver your car to the airport, or pick you up, and take you to your car.

Security

When choosing an airport parking garage, security is an important consideration.

A good parking garage, or car storage facility will have someone at the gate, 24-hours a day. Which is important for security reasons. Plus, that will allow you to retrieve the car at your convenience.

A poorly lit parking structure could easily breed theft & vandalism. So, look for an airport parking garage that has good lighting, and one of those emergency call boxes on each level.

Also, look for more obvious security measures, such as cameras, security gates, security guards, and a monitored exit.

Pricing

Parking spaces are usually available by the hour, by the day, or by the month. And car storage facilities usually charge by the month, or by the service.

Payment

Most airport parking garages give you a ticket when you park your car, then collect payment when you leave. Cash & credit cards are the most common form of payment, but some garages have "express pay" programs for frequent customers.

If you do your homework ahead of time, storing your car at the airport can be both convenient, and affordable.