Meeting someone at CDG
 

Tying up all kinds of loose ends...is it difficult to meet someone at the airport? I'll be in Paris for a few days before my husband arrives and if he doens't have checked luggage, where is a good place to meet? He should be arriving at T-2A I think--American Airlines from the US...any suggestions-like a cafe/restaurant?--but it would be better to get as close to his gate as possible, he's not a frequent flyer, it's a long trip!
Thanks as always!

Lots of people meet passengers at CDG just like any airport -- they go to the area where the flight is scheduled to land (checking the boards) and wait just outside the area where passengers must come out from the baggage claim. If you are in Paris anyway, why bother to go to the airport to meet him? He's a grown man, let him get transportation into the city to your hotel himself.

Well! here you are again! yes, I know he's a grown man, but not use to travelling, and so I'm up for the adventure. Thanks for the reassurance.

Are you staying in a hotel in Paris? - then I'd personally have him just take a taxi from CDG to the hotel. The RER would be cheaper - but if he is a bit nervous about traveling, nothing could be easier than just going out to the taxi rank and riding in to the city.

I wouldn't go out to CDG myself. But that is just me - you know your husband better than we do . . . . .

Really. What's the point in schlepping out to the airport just to meet him? I'd just have him take a taxi and meet you at the hotel.

Thanks janisj--just out of curosity--why wouldn't you go? Dangerous or time consuming! Either way, it'll be 6 weeks since I've seen him, so, it's ok by me! Thanks again!

Alternatively, he could do exactly the same thing he'd do if his destination were (for example) Avignon or Lyon: take the train to Paris and a taxi - or walk - from the station to the hotel.

That would free up your time to, um, prepare to greet him.

"... it would be better to get as close to his gate as possible ..."

After he gets off the plane he has to clear passport control, pick up his luggage (assuming he has checked bags) and leave the customs hall. The closest you can get is immediately outside the exit from customs. There will be many others standing there to greet friends and relatives, plus limousine drivers with signs showing the names of their customers.

If he has no checked baggage and is sitting at the front of his plane, the soonest you'll see him is about 10 minutes after the plane pulls up to the terminal. If the plane is late, or if he has to be bussed from his plane to the terminal, or if there is a line-up at passport control, or if he has checked bags ... well, it could be a while before you see him. A long while.

AA

IMHO it is better to meet at the hotel instead of the madhouse that is CDG. Now, I don't say madhouse to scare you/him. It is just a lot easier for one person to head out to the taxis w/o having to search out each other. And especially since you say he won't have any big bags - he can just follow the signs for taxis and be on his way w/o any hassle.

You can be waiting for him in the hotel lobby.

Is romance dead?

I think it's absolutely normal behaviour to want to meet someone at the airport.

In my opinion, there are few greater pleasures in life than stepping off a plane after a long flight, in a place you might not be familiar with and seeing the smiling face of someone you love (and have missed) waiting for you.

ramalama; wait just outside the customs exit along with everyone else, and for extra brownie points, be carrying a handmade sign with your husband's name on it. Big, red hearts are a definite plus!

However you choose to get back into Paris, it should give you enough time to catch up, before you 'catch up' at your hotel...

Enjoy!

Hi JayG! I'm not familiar with the city, but I'll have been there a week, enough time to get with it...I was a little concerned by the AnselmAdorne post...what if...but what the hey!
I'd want it if the situation were reversed! Thanks for your morale boost.

Hi ramalama,
No problem! There are always a few doomsayers who 'wouldn't do/couldn't do/can't see the point of doing' such and such, but don't let them get you down.

It's really not that difficult to get to and from CDG (the RER is my preferred method) and the time spent waiting for your husband to arrive will be no different to that of any international flight to any major airport.

All your talk of romantic meetings in Paris has got me thinking that it's about time I took my wife back there. Off to the Eurostar website with me...

to jayg and all!! life is very short, and if we're not in it, what's the point! corny, but seize the day, for no on promised you tomorrow. have a very pleasant and happy time jayg...live, love, laugh and be happy!! au revoir!