General Instructions

Updated as of 11 August 2026

In general, the instructions below will give you an idea of where to meet the veterans in the terminal. FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO GREET A FLIGHT, SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS AND A PARKING PLACARD WILL BE SENT IN TWO EMAILs 36-24 HOURS BEFORE THE FLIGHT ARRIVES.

REMEMBER — nothing works unless you go to our signup page and register for each flight (arrival and/or departure) with which you intend to volunteer! Gate access passes (when available) and parking instructions only materialize when you register/signup in advance (and you enter your email correctly).

Arrival of the Veterans

— Arrive in the terminal at least 30 minutes before the scheduled arrival time for the flight.

— Walking from the parking lot to the terminal will take 5 to 15 minutes depending on your pace.

— Entering the east end of the terminal at Door #7, you will be on the Arrival (lower) Level. Continue to your right and go up the escalators/stairs to the Departure (upper) Level. 

— Once there, proceed to the right towards the West Security Checkpoint Entrance on the other end of the rear part of the terminal.

— Our gathering point is across from the Emirates Airline counter. You should see our banner and some folks in the bright yellow shirts, and hopefully lots of greeters.

Departure of the Veterans

Coming to greet the Veterans after their day in Washington D.C. can be as rewarding, if not MORE rewarding, than greeting them when they arrive since there is typically a smaller crowd of greeters.

— Be at the airport 30 minutes before the scheduled return to airport time.

— Greeters meet at the Oversize Luggage / Baggage Claim #8 area on the Arrival (lower) Level opposite Door #4.

— When the buses arrive, we form a receiving line that stretches from Door #5 to the special TSA check-in area set up near the Baggage Claim #8. Our job is to make sure that the veterans get safely from their buses to the restrooms, and onward to the TSA check-in area without wandering off.

If the buses return on the Departure (upper) level, we meet outside the District Chophouse restaurant.

REMEMBER, if you signed up to greet a flight, you will get two emails with specific directions 36 to 24 hours before the flight.