IAH passenger pickup

IAH passenger pickup is a goat rodeo caused by people working for some outsourced event provider (probably Allied Universal) who do not understand who the customers are or what is supposed to happen at a passenger pickup.

8/17/2024, my wife's late flight was delayed, so she was getting in around 1am. She texted me that she was outside (at the curb) of terminal A. So I pull into the Terminal A arrivals passenger pick up area. At the far end of the lane, there is a sign flashing that says "NO WAITING. USE CELL LOTS." I'm not sure how you use the cell lots if (1) you don't have a cell phone with you; (2) the passenger to be picked up doesn't have a cell phone; (3) either of you have a dead battery; or (4) you can't get a cell phone signal. There weren't that many cars but the imbeciles who were well-trained in blowing whistles and mindlessly yelling put me in the 3d lane from the curb. So I pulled up most of the way and stopped so that my wife–WHO COULDN'T SEE MY CAR IN THE THIRD LANE OVER–could drag her bag to the car and get in. Thence IMMEDIATELY ensued the yelling, whistleblowing and threats to have me arrested. I explained that my wife was at the curb "right over there." "Houston PD, we have a passenger that refuses to move his car." I tried calling my wife but I couldn't get a cell signal.

HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PICK UP A PASSENGER IF YOU LITERALLY CAN'T STOP YOUR CAR LONG ENOUGH FOR A 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN TO SEE IT AND CLIMB IN?!! AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST SLOW DOWN SO SHE CAN JUMP IN THROUGH THE WINDOW??!!

Under threats that Houston PD was coming to arrest me, I pulled out. I went to Terminal B arrivals, where there were cars sitting and nobody with a reflective vest acting like maniacs. I got a cell signal, called my wife and told to meet me upstairs in departures.

So let me ask you: what is the point of a passenger pickup, especially at 1am when an older woman by herself is concerned about the safety of climbing into a taxi or Uber? Is it just to keep the flow of cars moving through the pick up area? OR IS IT TO PICK UP THE FUCKING PASSENGERS?

I am still furious about this treatment.