Holiday passengers breezed through security checkpoints at Denver International Airport on Tuesday after federal air security officials added screeners to speed the flow on traditionally heavy travel days.
For the most part, screening wait times were no more than five or 10 minutes on a day when about 53,000 passengers passed through the checkpoints.
Today, the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen about 58,000 passengers.
TSA brought in 15 screeners from other cities to staff two new screening lines at the checkpoint near the bridge to DIA’s A concourse, said David Bassett, TSA’s federal security director in Denver.
Members of Colorado’s congressional delegation have complained for weeks about long wait times at DIA.
Even before that criticism, TSA was taking measures to move passengers more quickly through checkpoints, Bassett said.
Among those steps, he said, is encouraging travelers to remove plastic bags containing allowable amounts of liquids and gels from carry-on luggage before bags are passed through X-ray machines.
The addition of screeners and the use of new techniques at checkpoints led DIA to have the fourth-lowest average peak-hour screening time — about 10 minutes — among the 28 largest U.S. airports in the past week, Bassett said.
Mary Ann Lopez of Littleton appreciated the sight at DIA’s south terminal checkpoint when she arrived for her holiday flight on Tuesday.
“It looks like they’re doing well. I am surprised,” said Lopez, who had only about 20 passengers in front of her. She was flying to Iowa to be with family for the holiday.
DIA’s less-expensive parking lots began filling up and travelers were encouraged to call the airport’s parking line, 303-DIA-PARK, or check the status of lots at .
As of late Tuesday afternoon, the terminal’s east economy lot and the Pikes Peak satellite lot on Peña Boulevard were full.
DIA officials said Sunday would be the busiest travel day of this holiday period, though it is not expected to match last year’s record numbers.
Travel tips for DIA:
What’s allowed?
Check to make sure you know which items cannot be carried on. Liquids or gels in carry-ons must be in containers of 3 ounces or less and must all fit in a 1-quart clear plastic, zip-top bag. You can monitor wait times in security lines by calling 303-342-8477.
Confirm status
Check with your airline before leaving home to confirm the status of your flight.
Check in online
Check in online if possible, instead of at the airline counter. Checking bags at curbside may save time, but some airlines charge a small fee for this service.
Don’t wrap
Leave Christmas packages unwrapped. The TSA may open wrapped packages to see what’s inside.
Carry-ons limited
Travelers are allowed only one carry- on bag and one personal item (purse, laptop, etc.), so check as much luggage as possible. Put medications and other essential items in your carry-on bag.
Parking updates
Electronic signs and variable message boards on inbound Peña Boulevard display real-time parking information. Parking messages are also broadcast on DIA’s radio channel, 540 AM. Detailed parking information and maps are available on the airport’s website, , or call 303-342-7275.
Source: Denver International Airport
