NOTE: March 14, 2019:
- We check for received pickup requests weekdays (Monday – Friday).
- If a request is received during a holiday period or weekend, it will checked on the next weekday (Monday-Friday) following the receipt of the request.
- Our goal is to have a driver assigned approx one week prior to your arrival date.
- We will review your request, verify your delivery address and flight information, and send an acknowledgement if there is a driver available on the date and time of your arrival.
Q: How do I know that my application has been received?
A: After you press the submit button, the following should happen:
- You should be taken to this page (the one you are reading now).
- You will immediately receive an email that acknowledges your application that contains the data you entered.
- You will receive a personal response from someone on the FOCUS Airport Pickup team. This is volunteer run and we don’t operate 24/7. If your application is received on a holiday or weekend, there may be a delay in sending an acknowledgement after our initial review of your data.
- If you have concerns, please contact the FOCUS Airport Pickup Team.
Q: How much does this service cost?
A: The service is provided for free by FOCUS volunteers to welcome you to the United States & Portland State University. No agent or service should charge you a fee for requesting a FOCUS airport pickup.
Q: How do I know who will meet me?
A: You will be emailed information about who will meet you at the airport. You will also be given other names and phone numbers of FOCUS staff and volunteers in case you have trouble finding the FOCUS staff or volunteer who has agreed to pick you up. You should print a copy of your FOCUS Airport Pickup confirmation and bring it with you on the flight.
Q: What if I make other arrangements for a friend or someone else to pick me up after I submit my request?
A: This is okay with us, but please let us know as soon as possible. Please don’t cancel less than 24 hours before your arrival. We do not want to send our FOCUS staff or volunteer to the airport if they are not needed.
Q: What if I don’t know know where I will be living in Portland?
A: We would prefer that you wait to submit your application when you have your housing arranged. [NOTE: If you are working with ISA to arrange temp housing when you arrive, then just put “ISA – Goose Hollow” in your destination.] If it is less than two weeks before your arrival, submit your application now and then tell us where you will be living as soon as you know it. If you have applied for, but not received, a FOCUS homestay, put “FOCUS Homestay Requested” for your destination address.
If you are unable to make permanent arrangements prior to coming to Portland, you should contact FOCUS Homestays, PSU’s Intensive English Language Program, or PSU Housing to see about temporary housing.
Q: What if FOCUS is not able to make arrangements to pick me up?
A: Please see PSU suggested options for transportation from the Portland airport to the PSU campus. A full range of options is available at the PDX web site: Ground Transportation.
The least expensive option is to take Trimet’s MAX Line, although it may be difficult if you have many bags of luggage. The Trimet MAX line departs outside the door closest to baggage claim area #1. You will take the Red Line from the airport (Stop ID 10579). Go to Trimet.org to plan your trip. In the “From” field, enter stop ID 10579. In the “To” field, you can enter the address for Montgomery (1802 SW 10th Ave Portland, OR 97201) which is where most PSU students check in for PSU housing. Or put in any other destination address which may be better for you. The web site will give options for your travel. You may have to adjust items such as how far you are willing to walk.
You can also use a taxi service. It will be more convenient, but will also be much more expensive. See the PDX Ground Transportation page for more information.
You can also go to the information booth in the baggage claim area for other suggestions for travel. They may be able to advise you of the approximate costs for each option.
Q: Who are the FOCUS staff and volunteers?
A: Some have full-time assignments working with FOCUS; others are community people, either working or retired men and women who offer some of their time to welcome you and other internationals during your first hours here in Portland. Many have lived, worked or traveled overseas. They have some idea of what it’s like to be a stranger in a foreign country. Currently our oldest volunteer both in age and service is in his 80’s.