1:30 p.m.
The flow of travelers through Denver International Airport remains steady but manageable, and there was even room at the bar at Pour la France on the upper level of the terminal.
“The air traffic is going very well,” said Chuck Cannon, a DIA spokesman.
About half of the airport’s 1,700 daily flights either have come or gone by now, and officials expect the rest of the day to run without many hitches.
But there could be a bit of a rush late this afternoon, as the workday comes to an end and last-minute travelers take to the sky.
“It could get a little bit busier this evening,” Cannon warned.
On Sunday, 152,000 travelers are expected to pass through DIA.
“This will be the busiest travel day of the week,” Cannon said. “It looks like it will be good weather.”
And if Sunday is anything like today, it will be smooth sailing.
Noon
I circle back around to the west side of the terminal and chat with a small group of airline mechanics and Teamsters — and a person in a turkey costume — handing out informational fliers to travelers.
The leaflets ask United Airlines not to sell off its Mileage Plus program to an outside company, among other things.
John Hennely of Local 96 in Denver is a little disappointed in the passenger traffic at the airport, but he’s enthusiastic about getting the message out.
“Maybe they’re all waiting until later” to travel, Hennely said. “They keep telling us there will be over 100,000 people at the airport today, but I don’t think so. But we’re getting the word out to some of the frequent fliers to let them know.”
Gloria Miranda, vice president of the Denver local, was dressed in the turkey suit.
“She’s great at it,” Hennely said, giving Miranda a hug. “The kids love her.”
11:30 a.m.
Security lines, if you can even call them lines, are now extremely light in the terminal. The storm of people, which some expected to bring the airport to its knees, has not materialized.
11:05 a.m.
Jerry Biberstine scans the arrivals board at the terminal and then takes a break in a nearby leather chair.
He’s here to pick up a friend arriving on a Southwest Airlines flight from Washington, D.C.
It was on time and is on the ground, said Biberstine, who travels a lot as part of his job as a trainer.
“This is actually about the emptiest I’ve ever seen the airport,” he said. “I expected it to be a lot more crowded.”
Biberstine said he left his Denver home at about 9:15 a.m. and made two quick stops before coming to DIA. He described the trip as “perfect.”
The roads were dry, Biberstine took Interstate 225 to Interstate 70 and then Peña Boulevard, and there were no snarls along the way, he said.
The 45-minute waiting lot outside the airport was “packed,” Biberstine said.
10:30 a.m.
I look for someone in a turkey costume who is supposed to be handing out leaflets with the help of airline mechanics and Teamsters. The information is supposed to be distributed outside United’s terminal check-in area, and this leaflet advises travelers about the “pitfalls” of outsourcing airplane maintenance, according to organizers.
I don’t find a turkey or anyone else distributing fliers.
Perhaps they are stuck in traffic and haven’t make it to the airport yet.
10:10 a.m.
Travelers arriving in Denver continue to stream in to the terminal from the concourse trains below. Family and friends wait to greet them. Lots of hugging and hoots of joy going on. “It’s so great to see you,” a younger woman says to an older one as she gives her a hug. “You look great.”
10 a.m.
Lines, if any, at the rental-car counters are short.
Transportation Security Administration screens continue to move travelers through the lines at a brisk pace. Some of the screeners take a break in a closed-off area visible from a level above it. Some eat, and others try to catch up on sleep with a quick snooze.
9:50 a.m.
Finally, there’s a break in the long line at the Seattle’s Best Coffee shop. I treat — kind of, I use the company credit card — a couple of colleagues to coffee and a muffin.
By the time we’re served, the line runs out of the store again.
9:15 a.m.
Post photographer RJ Sangosti finally arrives at DIA after a tough commute from Golden, which was delayed by two traffic accidents. It was a 90-minute drive from Golden.
“The story is not here, it’s outside,” Sangosti says. “Traffic is a mess.”
8:35 a.m.
Security lines on the north side of the terminal are even shorter than the lines on the south side. The terminal is getting busier, but it still has not reached a point that could be described as hectic.
8:30 a.m.
Beth Kobeszko is walking through the terminal with a bag containing a wrapped Christmas present.
“I had no problems getting through security,” she said happily. “They just X-rayed the package.”
Kobeszko arrived at DIA just before 8 a.m. on a United flight from New Orleans.
She’s visiting a daughter, Kasia, 26, who lives in Boulder.
As Kobeszko, a native of Poland, looks for a cup of coffee, she says she’s not worried about the weather here in Colorado.
“I love it. I just checked with Kasia, and she said there are 2 or 3 inches of snow in Boulder. I really miss the snow,” said Kobeszko, who lives in Louisiana.
8:10 a.m.
Cannon, the airport spokesman, smiles as he says things are going well.
“The lines are moving and there are no long waits,” Cannon says. “We like it like that.”
The security lines on the south side are moving at a brisk pace and still are only about half full.
8 a.m.
The terminal. Tom Helle of Englewood left his home at about 6 a.m., trying to “beat the traffic, but it didn’t really work.”
Still, Helle got to the airport without any problem. “It was smooth sailing.”
Helle is picking up his daughter, Jamie Freibe, who is in the Army. She’s flying in from Louisiana and is expected arrive at 9:30 a.m.
“I’ve got plenty of time. I’m just going to walk around, and I’m just relaxing,” Helle said as he read a copy of today’s Denver Post.
7:50 a.m.
I touch base with photographer Sangosti by phone. He’s stuck in traffic on eastbound I-70 near I-225 behind a “big accident.”
We make arrangements to hook up in the terminal.
7:30 a.m.
I’m looking for my colleague, a photographer. I got a message while providing dictation to an editor. I’ll check it; it was probably him.
6:40 a.m.
Attempts to use WiFi and an air card on a laptop are futile. This blog posting will have to dictated via cellphone.
6:20 a.m.
There is plenty of parking in the West Garage, but cars are streaming in at a steady pace. I find a spot on level four in the “F” section, with lots of open spaces nearby. Inside the terminal, it’s busy but not overwhelming. Security lines are moving swiftly and are not even close to being backed up.
6 a.m.
Traffic heading onto Peña Boulevard is slow but moving. It loosens up in a couple of miles.
A digital sign greets passers-by with the message: “Happy Thanksgiving.” Another sign tells drivers that the Economy Lot is full, but the parking garages are open.
5:45 a.m.
Traffic on eastbound I-70 is heavy but moving along.
As I approach Havana Street, traffic gets very heavy, especially in the right and middle lanes.
The left lane is moving, at about 45 miles per hour, and traffic in this lane breezes past the slower traffic to the right.
5:40 a.m.
Traffic through the Mousetrap is moving on wet and slightly snow-packed roads. No problem getting onto eastbound I-70.
5:35 a.m.
Traffic northbound on I-25 is heavy but moving well. The roads are wet and slushy in spots.
I need new windshield wipers.
5:20 a.m.
At Sixth Avenue and Union Boulevard, westbound traffic is light, and the roads are slightly snow-packed. Drivers are sticking to the right and middle lanes.
Sixth Avenue traffic gets heavy at Sheridan Boulevard, and the right lane is one long, slow-moving line. The exit ramp to I-25 is heavy, and most drivers seem content to take their time and are driving with caution.
A digital CDOT sign reminds drivers: Roads and bridges are icy in spots.
5:15 a.m.
I’m leaving the Green Mountain area of Lakewood.
A light snow is falling, but only about an inch is on the ground.
Roads are in good shape but slick in spots.
