Airport Terminology
Baggage Claim - Located in each terminal on the ground level of the Arrivals Roadway, this area consists of carousels that return luggage to arriving passengers. In addition, airlines have offices located here where passengers can inquire about lost luggage and other issues. The baggage claims are accessed from the gates by crossing the pedestrian bridges and taking either an escalator or elevator to the ground level.
Carousels - Located in baggage claim, these are the conveyor belts from which passengers retrieve their luggage.
Concourse - At PHL, a concourse is a long corridor where the boarding gates are located. Concourses begin at the location of the first gate in each terminal and extend outward along the airfield.
Connectors - These are also known as "links" and "corridors". They are the walkways that connect the terminals.
Electric Carts - These are golf-cart type vehicles that transport passengers who are elderly, disabled, or making tight connections to their gates.
Flight Monitors (FIDS) - These are television screens on which are listed, in alphabetical order according to city, information about a particular flight - destination/arrival city, flight#, scheduled arrival/departure time, status (on time, delayed, canceled, revised arrival/departure time, boarding), and gate location. Flight monitors are divided into Arrivals and Departures - make sure you are looking at the proper monitor when assisting with flight information.
Gate - This is the area where passengers wait to board their flight. Pedestrian bridge - This is the walkway that connects the terminals and the baggage claim area.
Gate Agent / Ticketing Agent - These are airline employees who staff counters at ticket counters and boarding gates. They provide boarding passes and seat assignments to passengers, information about their airline's flights, and assist with passenger services, such as wheelchairs and electric carts.
Ground Transportation - Refers to taxis, shuttle vans, limousines, SEPTA, Uber/Lyft, and other forms of transportation passengers use to reach various destinations in the region. Also includes rental car buses and shuttles. Counters are in all baggage claims.
Information Counters - These are in every terminal. They are staffed by representatives who provide a wealth of information on Airport facilities, services, and amenities. These representatives are your PRIMARY RESOURCE AND BACK-UP.
International Arrivals Hall - Located in Terminal A-West on the Arrivals side, this is where passengers arriving on international flights leave the U.S. Customs and Immigration Halls. It is also where greeters meet passengers arriving from international flights.
Jetway / Loading Bridge - These are passageways connecting the boarding gate area to the airplane through which passengers must board the aircraft.
The "Mall" - This loosely refers to the shops and eating establishments located between Terminals B and C on the 2nd level.
Moving Walkway - These are also known as "people movers".
Screeners - Screeners are Transportation Security Administration personnel that staff security checkpoints.
Security Checkpoint - Located in every terminal, this is the screening area consisting of a metal detector and X-ray machine, which are operated by the Transportation Security Administration. Everyone - passengers and employees alike - must pass through a security checkpoint to proceed to areas located beyond the checkpoint. Only ticketed passengers are permitted beyond this point.
Skycap - Skycaps assist passengers with checking in luggage at the curbside for domestic flights and assist passengers with luggage in baggage claim. Skycaps work either directly for the airlines or private companies hired by the airlines to provide skycap services.
Standby - When a passenger does not have a confirmed seat on a flight, they are put on a standby list. When ticketed and confirmed passengers have boarded, the airline will call for standbys if empty seats are available.
Terminal - There are 7 terminals at PHL. These are two-level individual structures consisting of a Departures side and Arrivals side. Located on the Departures side are the ticketing area (ground level), security checkpoint (2nd level), concourse (2nd level), and terminal rotunda (2nd level). A pedestrian bridge (2nd level) connects each terminal to the Arrivals side. Located on the Arrivals side are baggage claim (ground level), ground transportation and parking garages.
Terminal Building - Refers to the complex consisting of the ticketing/baggage claim areas, gates, concourses, connectors, and pedestrian bridges. The terminal building consists of 7 terminals: A-West, A-East, B, C, D, E, & F.
Ticketing Area - Located on the ground level of the terminal building along the Departures Roadway, this area consists of various airline counters where passengers check-in luggage, obtain boarding passes, and purchase tickets. Every airline has its own ticketing counters.