Derby Airport Transfers, Meet and greet.
So Why Are Airport Drivers Still Holding Meet and Greet Boards?
We live in an age where your phone can unlock your house, translate Swahili in real-time, and tell you where your suitcase is inside Heathrow. So why, in the year 2025, are airport transfer drivers still standing at Arrivals holding paper signs that say:
MR SMITH JOHN
MRS. LIZZIE + 2 KIDS
DAVES MUM
It’s charming. It’s confusing (especially looking at some driver handwriting) And yes, it’s still happening.
- The Meet-and-Greet board is the original GPS
Before smartphones, airport drivers didn’t have the luxury of WhatsApp locations or real-time tracking. They waited, with a name on a board, like a modern-day butler for the jetlagged.
It kinda worked. You saw your name after looking at 56 boards already, they saw your grateful face, and off you went. “Can I help you with your case”
But in 2025, you can communicate direct, set up a meet spot and even send a selfie. So why are we still doing the board thing?
- Because it works (Mostly)
Despite tech advances, Arrivals halls are still chaotic. There are people waving, crying, vlogging, and dragging five suitcases sideways. In that mess, a sign, however misspelled, remains one of the few things that cuts through the noise.
Your phone might be dead. You might be roaming. You might not know where you are.
But a guy holding a board with “DAVID M – BLUE BACKPACK” is still an easy quick fire option.
- The Spelling is Part of the Experience
There’s an unspoken rule that your name on a meet-and-greet sign will be at least 20% wrong:
- Jon instead of John.
- Mr. Jaksen (you’re Jason).
- Mrs. KAREN & HUSBEN – close enough.
And weirdly, that helps. It’s so obviously your driver that it might as well be a code word.
- Paper Signs Are Technically More Reliable Than Phones
No battery required. No bad signal. No “Can you see me? I’m by Costa. No, the other Costa.” A piece of A4 paper doesn’t care if there’s a blackout or a Bluetooth bug.
It’s old-school. It’s analog. It’s resilient.
Plus, a lot of drivers will print the name and hold their phone just to cover both bases. Belt and braces. British-style.
- The Unexpected Glory of a Sign With Your Name
There’s something kind of… magical about walking through the gates and seeing your name on a sign. You feel important. Like a VIP. Like someone who’s expected.
And in an airport full of confused strangers and suspicious sandwiches, that little moment of recognition is oddly reassuring.
- Even With Tech, the Board Isn’t Going Anywhere
Yes, you could coordinate via WhatsApp. Yes, airport apps are getting smarter. But the humble meet-and-greet sign still has its place.
It’s visual. It’s instant. And let’s be honest, it’s iconic.
So until Apple releases AirTag Pro: Chauffeur Edition™, don’t be surprised if your next UK airport pickup involves a driver standing by a Pret A Manger holding a laminated “MISTER BRYAN (LOOKING FORWARD TO DERBY TRIP)” sign.
And honestly? We kind of love it.
If you need lift, We’ll ‘Sendacar’.
If you need a meet and greet at the Airport, we can help with that too.
95% of our Pick ups involve pick up areas in carparks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t meet you in the terminal if needed. There is however an additional fee on this that covers car park fees and sometimes, there might be a little bit of an extra walk as meet and greet car parks are not as close as the set down or pick up spots.
What ever you need, we’re here for it.
Say hello!
