TSA Blames Passengers for Long Security Lines at DIA and Beyond

Of late, there have been reports aplenty about seemingly endless security lines at airports throughout the country, including here in Denver. And even more people have been venting their spleen on social media. We're guessing such folks won't be placated by comments just made by a spokesman for the Transportation...

By Michael Roberts

May 20, 2016

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Of late, there have been reports aplenty about seemingly endless security lines at airports throughout the country, including here in Denver.

And even more people have been venting their spleens on social media.

We're guessing such folks won't be placated by comments just made by a spokesman for the Transportation Safety Administration.

As quoted by CBS4, TSA Regional spokesperson Mark Howell said, "“We are not here today to blame passengers, but it is one contributing factor to long lines at the airports."

Maybe so — but that doesn't explain why the lines at DIA have gotten noticeably worse over recent months, with predictions for even longer waits over the summer.

Should that come to pass, expect tons of horror-story DIA tweets like the ones below. They're followed by a CBS4 report and, just for fun, a hilarious Facebook video posted last night that shows the creative way two people passed the time during a two-hour delay in Denver.

Holy shit I have never in 20 yrs of flying out of DIA seen security lines this long. Monitor claims 20m wait time...uh, no. More like 120.
— Courtney Schafer (@cischafer) May 15, 2016

#denairport headed to DIA the buses are running at max capacity and the lines at security are at least 30 minutes pic.twitter.com/QMiGJojID1
— Unicorn HAMMERSMITH (@UHAMMERSMITH) May 14, 2016

Wow! They're not lying about security lines at #DIA #DENinternationalairport. Lines way out pass bag claim. Insane.
— SkyBug (@Cindeerella16) May 17, 2016

Hey @AskTSA - long security lines in #Denver (40+ min on Wed afternoon) made me miss my flight home. #iHateTheWait
— Charlotte Phillips (@charlotte11201) May 18, 2016

Here's the TSA line in Denver right now. Holy moly. pic.twitter.com/mQhZBQaPR7
— Jeff Rossen (@jeffrossen) May 19, 2016

The Denver airport has the worssssst security lines.
— Keelin McHale (@keelin_mchale) April 23, 2016

Security line at #DIA Denver backed up all the way through baggage claim. @TSA really sucks #hatethewait pic.twitter.com/Y4xGaLjJ3S
— Andrew Urbaczewski (@ProfUrbaczewski) May 19, 2016

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

A message from Michael Roberts: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today