Whether for work or for business I've made a lot of trips through Denver International Airport. Along the way I always make it a game to see how I can get through the building as fast as possible. I'm not talking about running (though I do walk quickly) just shortcuts and processes that will ensure I'm spending the lest of my precious time in such a big slow building. A lot of these are good general travel tips, but there is a clear DIA focus.

Tips for Departures from Denver International Airport

You're leaving, on a jetplane. How can you make it move faster:

1. Prepare for tasks before you get to them. Specifically, before you get to the security line empty your pockets and belt into your carry on, untie your shoes, and get your boarding pass and ID ready to present. This will shave at least a minute off of your visit and decrease your chances of getting searched (since you won't set off the alarm). Similarly, you're going to put one bag in the overhead bin and you're going to need some things out of it. Get those items out before you arrive at your seat and leave them in your hands or pocket. Then once you arrive at your seat you can easily throw your bag up top and settle in for the trip. My favorite past-time after getting into my seat is watching the frustration on the faces of people in front of me as they flail with their bags.
2. Concourse A security Before dropping down from check-in level to security take a look at both security lines to see which one is shorter. But then, also get a look at the Concourse A security at the north end of the main terminal. This little-known security check point is perfect if your gate is on Concourse A, but it can also make sense to get through security here, walk to Concourse A, go to the basement and take the train to your gate in Concourse B or C. Ideally the airport officials would post signs in the check-in area directing you to the security line that was the shortest - we'll probably just have to wait for that.

Tips for Arrivals into DIA

1. The train dumps you on the backside Note that as you leave the airport to go to baggage claim and transportation the train drops you out the backside. When you get on, charge through the car to the doors immediately facing you and position yourself right where the door opens. Then when you reach the main terminal you will see tha tyou can jump out, head up the escalators, and get to freedom just one minute faster than the rest of the folks stuck in a traffic jam at the bottom.
2. Aisle-seat popup to grab your bag. Get a seat on the aisle. When the seatbelt sign goes off at the gate that's really a starting bell in the race to stand up. It's your job to get into the aisle first, open the overhead bin, get your bag, and put your stuff back in it. Then you'are all set to leave the plane when it's your turn. To help your aisle-mates, it's also very nice to get their bags down for them as well. This will help the overall speed of the airplane and you have nothing better to do with that time anyway.
3. Arrival? Departure? Who cares? If you are getting picked up at the airport you may think that you should direct your friend to the "arrivals" level to pick you up. Wrong. Assuming that you are landing at night the arrivals level is invariably slammed full of people and cars and it's impossible to find them. Instead, head up to the departures level of cars - it's the very top. This is almost always empty and makes it far easier for them to find you.

Tips for all Travelers at DIA

1. Ignore social customs, but be fair. Generally speaking you'll have to take a tram to get to your concourse. If you can, get yourself to the front of the line at the first car. Don't push your way there, but if nobody else is there plop your carry-on right in front of the middle of the door and stand there. If you stand back by the socially appropriate 3-5 feet then some rude person (New Yorkers!) will walk up and cut in front of you. If you are 6 inches from the door, it's hard to cut in front of you!
2. No check-through baggage This one is simple. Don't check any bags through - only use carry ons. Long trip? I don't care. If you value your time don't let the baggage handlers, "check-through-check-in" time wastin', and baggage-claim-carousell-hell slow you down.