Last week I posted half of reader Mia’s report from a recent trip (“Flying with an in-cabin dog on a Delta CRJ-200“). Here’s the other half, describing the results of her searches for pet relief areas at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and the Charleston International Airport (CHS).

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

According to the website, DCA has four pet relief areas: Two outside Terminal A at either end of the big traffic half-circle, one outside Terminal B across from the entrance to the Metro station, and one outside Terminal C across from the entrance to the Metro station. Sounds straightforward, but our man on the street (actually, our woman and dog on the street) was baffled:

I looked and looked and looked at Washington Reagan National Airport for their pet relief areas at Terminals B & C but I just couldn’t find them! The one for Terminal A is exactly where their map says it is, and I’ve been there before — you just exit the terminal at the main entrance, turn left, and it is the grassy area with the bench on the left, with the pet relief area sign.

Mia apologized, but she shouldn’t have — this is clearly a situation that cries out for more, or better, signage.

Charleston International Airport

According to the website, CHS has two pet relief areas, one “just outside of the ticketing lobby” and the other “just outside the baggage claim area of the terminal.” They’re keeping the information close to their chests, however — I had to search hard to find it, and Mia reports that pet relief areas aren’t shown on any of the airport maps, and she didn’t see any signs. She decided (not knowing what the website said) that there must just not be an official pet relief area:

Perhaps this is because there is so much grass outside the airport they thought having an official area would be redundant. The terminal is small, and so is the area outside of it — just walk across the two pick-up lanes outside the terminal, across to where the parking garage is, and you’ll find huge grassy areas where your pup can relieve herself. Callie really appreciated the short distance between the terminal and the grass, and I was happy to find trash cans nearby (on the way into the parking garage or back outside the terminal).

Here’s her picture of the lawn at the Charleston airport, across from the pick up/drop off area, just before the parking garage.:

"The airport is tiny so you literally just walk across the street to short and long term parking."

Thanks so much, Mia! I really appreciate your taking the time to let the rest of us know what you found, and how to retrace your steps. I’ve added this post to Dog Jaunt’s ongoing series of reviews of airport pet relief areas. To see others, visit Dog Jaunt’s handy guide to airport pet relief areas.