CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Parking can be a problem for travelers at Charlotte-Douglas Airport while the airport works on its new 7,000-space parking deck, but Eyewitness News has now uncovered some issues with the parking pay system at other airport lots.
The problems left travelers stuck in lots, unable to pay and leave.
The most recent crash of the airport's credit card payment system occurred Tuesday night around 10 p.m. The system also crashed on Sunday for two hours and again on May 25 for 15 minutes.
The glitches cost the airport $1,899 in lost revenue.
The airport says the Tuesday night crash was caused by Internet issues with AT&T and the other two were computer glitches.
The two most recent problems affected Long Term Parking 4 and Daily North, while the one in May affected Daily Decks, Long Term 1, and Long Term 4.
Without staff, travelers could only hit the call buttons for assistance and wait.
Staffers arrived to lift the security arms and let drivers out for free, though Eyewitness News learned one customer lifted the arm himself in frustration at Long Term Parking 4 on Tuesday night and drove off before staff arrived.
On Thursday, people waiting for shuttles to the parking lots were surprised.
"I don't carry cash with me so I don't know what I would do," Doug Giovanetti said. "I always pay with a credit card. I don't know how people are handling it."
Airport officials said if customers encounter the problem they should press the call button and wait for assistance.
They said they are "monitoring and tweaking the system for maximum operation."
Issues with parking pay system at airport lots
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