3 things to know about TSA checkpoint changes at Denver International Airport
TSA security screening checkpoints at Denver International Airport were reconfigured in November 2021 to improve passenger flow and wait times.
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The busy holiday season for air travel is finally here. For many of you reading this, it’s probably safe to say that it has been a while since you’ve last flown out of Denver International Airport. Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic bringing temporary changes to air travel, such as mask mandates in airports and increased hand sanitizer allowances, there have also been some other big changes at the Denver Airport you should be aware of.
Travelers leaving Denver this Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday season – and beyond – will want to be well prepared and aware of permanent changes that have been implemented to the TSA screening checkpoint configuration at DEN.
Those familiar with Denver International Airport (DEN, or DIA as it’s also referred to) know that there are three security checkpoints that departing passengers can to choose from – North, South, and Bridge security. With changes rolled out earlier this month, airline travelers and passengers can no longer pick any security checkpoint of their desire.
The changes have been implemented in an effort to improve passenger flow and speed up security screening times for everyone traveling through the airport.
Moving forward, here are three things you’ll want to know about which security checkpoint to go through when flying out of Denver International Airport:
1) South & Bridge Checkpoints are now general-screening only:
Of the Denver airport’s three checkpoints, two of them (the South Checkpoint in the main terminal and the Bridge Checkpoint at Concourse A) will only serve general passengers from here on out.
What does that mean? General passengers are your average passenger; those who are not enrolled in expedited or premium screening programs such as TSA PreCheck, or their airline’s express lane benefit from having frequent flyer program elite status. Most of the traveling public would fall under this “general” umbrella which is why 2/3 of the checkpoint lanes at DEN are now dedicated to general passengers/standard screening.
Technically, any ticketed passenger with a valid boarding pass can use these checkpoints. Let’s say you have PreCheck or airline status, but a family member you are traveling with doesn’t have, or isn’t eligible for those benefits. Rather than being separated from your travel companions to use the dedicated lanes on the other side of the airport, people with PreCheck/premium access can still go through South and Bridge checkpoints. However, be aware, you’ll have to go through the same screening steps as every other passenger.
2) Access to the North Security Checkpoint at Denver International Airport is now only available to select groups of travelers:
The checkpoint will now be dedicated to passengers who have expedited and premium screening (such as TSA PreCheck and elite airline status flyer), as well as general passengers who are traveling light (i.e. only with a purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.).
If you do not fall into any of these three categories (PreCheck, Premium, or traveling with a suitcase), you’ll be redirected to the South or Bridge checkpoints.
Depending on the situation, family members traveling on the same reservation as a PreCheck enrollee and/or an elite flyer might still be eligible to go through the North Security Checkpoint with them. Be sure to check everyone’s boarding passes for the TSA PreCheck indicator, and/or your airline’s frequent flyer program for rules and eligibility regarding this.
3) Passengers enrolled in CLEAR have a couple options when flying through Denver International Airport:
CLEAR will be set up at both the north and south checkpoints.
If you have CLEAR, which checkpoint you should pick should depend on whether you are also enrolled in TSA PreCheck or not. CLEAR at the South Checkpoint is meant for those who have CLEAR but are not enrolled in PreCheck.
So there’s the scoop on the TSA reconfiguration at Denver International Airport. It will definitely be different than what travelers have been used to, but changes are expected to speed things up for everybody.
Speaking of changes, Denver International Airport has also recently completed and opened up the first phase of the Great Hall renovation; and we have some photos to share. This phase updated some architectural finishes inside the terminal, as well as brought in some major functional changes to the check-in areas of United and Southwest airlines, Denver’s two largest air carriers.
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