Travel through Denver International Airport was jammed, but smooth today, once of the busiest travel days of the year.
Thank the good weather in other parts of the country and a phalanx of extra security screeners.
“I was freaking out because I heard it was going to be a zoo today,” said Jason Clarke, a Fort Collins dad traveling with his son, daughter and wife to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. He said the family flew through security.
“We usually try to give ourselves a lot of time, but this was a crazy morning, so I’m happy to say that this has been great,” Clarke said. “I’m really impressed with DIA because everything is running so smoothly.”
DIA spokeswoman Laura Coale said extra lines have been set up to move passengers through security screening and TSA is fully staffed. This means the longest wait so far today has been about 10 minutes, she said.
It may be crowded near the gates, but Coale said there are have been no weather delays or cancellations in other parts of the country, which means people are making their connections and moving on to their destinations on time.
“It’s a good thing when passengers are able to travel easily,” she said. “Going to see family and friends shouldn’t be a stressful situation.”
At 6 p.m., the Pikes Peak lot and the economy lots at the airport were full, but some $7-a-day spots were available in the Mount Elbert lot, as well as parking in the terming garage for $21 a day and valet parking at $30 a day, according to the airport website.
(For real-time parking information while on the road, watch for electronic signs along inbound Peña Boulevard or call 303-DIA-PARK (303-342-7275).)
Coale said the airport expects 166,797 travelers today. On Sunday, the count will be closer to 166,917.
For the official Thanksgiving travel week, which runs yesterday through Monday, the airport anticipates more than 1 million passengers. Last year, the busiest Thanksgiving week for DIA, 1.02 million passengers were logged, Coale said.
For now, skycaps are waiting for all of those passengers to show up. Southwest Airlines skycaps who were asked to report to work at 3:45 a.m. in anticipation of a huge crush of curbside check-in were idle.
“They over-exaggerated, I guess, because we ain’t doin’ nothin’,” said Ty Sampson. “It’s just like any other day. It’s dead. Completely dead.”
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
