Columbia Airport fines $44 for exceeding five-minute limit

A driver recently received an unexpected $44 ticket at Columbia Metropolitan Airport after new rules were put into place. The new system uses cameras to automatically issue fines for drivers who wait more than five minutes to pick up or drop off passengers. The rule started on January 21 and aims to reduce congestion at the airport. The fine includes a $30 penalty and a $14 transaction fee. Holly Condon, a local resident, was shocked to receive the ticket, which included photos of her car parked for six minutes while her husband helped with luggage. She was unaware of the new rule and criticized the visibility of the warning signs. The airport installed the cameras last November to improve safety and efficiency amid expected increases in traffic due to new airline services. Gregg Hornsby, the interim president of the airport, admitted that they did not adequately inform the public about the changes. He stated that the ticketing system was essential to manage the upcoming surge in passengers. In response to the fine, Condon expressed her frustration and said she would have been more careful if she had known about the rule. She noted that signs warning about the ticketing system were difficult to see, especially if other cars blocked the view. Drivers are now encouraged to use designated parking areas, such as the cellphone lot or parking garage, to wait without incurring fines. The camera system does not issue fines for violations in handicapped zones.