DIA is now "reconsidering" how it handles TSA security. Why? Because it was designed & built before 911 and the physical logistics creates a physical bottle neck. Unlike DFW, where there are 5 working terminals, and you to go the terminal with the airline you're traveling on, everything funnels thru a single lane (ok, there are 2-6 lanes depending on how TSA is staffed) in the main concourse. The only advantage to flying Frontier is that there's a TSA site between the main concourse and Term A (which houses Frontier).
Not to mention the idiotic train to get you from the concourse to Terms A, B or C. I was flying 2 weeks ago and the trains were inop. So the unwashed masses got put on hold, and the Premium and Trusted Traverlers were sent up to Frontier's TSA then put on busses to Term B and C.
Major CF. I learned later that this happens more often than DIA cares to admit.
We had a member of our ham radio club that worked on them from day one. Mikey told us how often they were down back then, and it isn't very likely with age that it's gotten any better.
They have a number of route changes for the trains to handle a stopped one somewhere along the line, and about 50% of the time I've been on the trains I've recognized the track changes happening were due to one.
The funny part was Mikey was a little overweight and they had to RUN from the ops room to the busted train with tools and parts at times. No trains running, you get to hoof it. And they didn't like you to be slow about it. He joked it was his new exercise program at one point during a commuter drive time round table on the radio, so that's probably an indication of how often stuff happened.
They never seemed to be very reliable, listening to him tell us what his day was like. He hasn't been active on the radio in years so we miss the stories.
I don't think the current security layout is that bad. I prefer having 2 large security checkpoints rather than numerous small ones. Of course if they don't have enough lanes open, it can back up.
The redesign plan will make it worse. They want to move security from the 2 main checkpoints in the center of the main terminal/tent back to the hallways between the check-in counters and the center of the main terminal. There isn't enough room in that area for large security operation. The reason they want to do this isn't to improve security operations anyway. The shops/restaurants in the terminal say nobody stops there -- everyone proceeds through security and eats/shops in the concourses and layover passengers never venture to the main terminal since they had to go back through security. It's all about the shopping
LOL there's no surprise. What, does the overpriced luggage place think they're going to do a bang up business once people are totally annoyed and still need to catch a train? Hahaha. Wow. Or maybe the art gallery? Because you know. I'm always thinking "I need to go to the airport for some art," whenever I travel.
The only places that ever seem to survive are the food places and their staff having driven a million miles to get to the airport to make low wages, always seem so chipper and happy about it. They all truly love their jobs. It's readily apparent that they've reached the pinnacle of self-actualization every time I've ordered a burger from them.
(The concourse bars seem a little better in this regard. Probably the tips.)
Taxiing to the gate at DIA now. I'll say the current security setup here is much better than at Newark, La Guardia, or San Francisco.
Or Vegas. Good lord that place never staffs right for convention traffic. If you're there for a convention and lots of folks are leaving at the same time on a weekend day, it's a guaranteed four hours.
121 ops experience!
