ROMULUS, Mich. – With one of the busiest travel weeks of the year upon us, it might become tougher to catch a Lyft or Uber at Detroit Metro Airport.
Many drivers are getting banned, and sources said it's for breaking the rules. But drivers told Local 4 they feel like it's more about being the new kid on the block.
Lyft and Uber drivers said they don't feel welcome at the airport.
"When you pull in, the guy in the booth gives you attitude," said Terri, a driver for both Uber and Lyft.
From surly airport employees to fender benders with contracted car services, ride-share drivers said it's difficult to work at the airport.
"Uber cars are getting hit, and they're saying, 'Oh, you're in my way,'" Terri said.
Things have gotten nasty between the two sides at a very lucrative time.
"This is a holiday weekend," Terri said. "This is the week that we make money."
On Friday, dozens of drivers started getting banned from the airport, and by Monday, drivers heard it was in the hundreds.
They were told it's because they were picking up fares curbside instead of the designated ride-share area.
"To not be able to prove to me what I've done wrong -- that becomes an issue," Terri said. "They just said I picked up curbside, but I didn't pick up curbside."
Terri and some others said they're innocent, yet they've still been banned. An airport source familiar with the situation said authorities are catching ride-share drivers breaking the curbside rule, but drivers said sometimes people just jump in.
"Some people jump in your car," Terri said.
"The issue has been addressed and we are now reviewing the impacted drivers in order to reinstate their airport access where warranted," Lyft told Local 4.
"Without the airport runs, we'll lose our jobs," Terri said.
Some drivers were reinstated Monday night after Local 4 reached out to Lyft. The airport said it's been working with the companies since March, and drivers said anyone who is breaking the rules should be banned.
You can watch Jason Colthorp's full story in the video posted above.