We returned the rental car to the Hertz lot at DEN. There is a road full of these lots, maybe 1-2km long. Then the shuttle to the airport proper - a LONG trip! You wouldn't ever want to cut it fine in any way against your departure.
The bizarre thing I found with this 1990s airport is that departing pax enter the terminal through the same doors as those arriving / coming out (ie no "departures level" for vehicles). You walk past the baggage carousels then up an escalator, to be confronted with about 100m of United check in terminals. of course we chose the wrong lot (no signs), and were told to 'go to the other side'. Here I miraculously managed to check-in OK at one of the machines. My collegue was stuck with paying US$22 for his checked bag - in spite of buying the most expensive Economy fare (he unfortunately didn't have any worthwhile status, and I couldn't help as I had already checked in
The through security. Unfortunately, although its an enormous airport, its pre 9/11 and so the security check is shoe-horned into the single terminal building that services all airlines. I got the prized "TSA Pre Check" on my BP - so its a matter of just putting my carry-on on the x ray machine belt (take nothing out), and walk through the scanner (take nothing off). Done in under a minute.
. My colleague on the other hand, with no status except NEXUS, went through the 'First Class' lane and re-appeared on the other side in 25 minutes !!! (Its slow because of limited space, limited number of x ray machines etc in the huge terminal).
Then back to the u'ground train to B gates pier, take several people movers, then to the United Club ... where thankfully I could guest in my colleague.
I'm always happy to slag off United, but TBH the United Club at DEN wasn't bad (its a UA hub, after all). There's a club on both East and West sides of the long UA pier and I guess they are the same. There are several large seating areas, with good views out to the aprons and power at most seats. Food is the usual coughpy basic stuff - crackers, cookies, cheese packets, fruit (fresh and good!) etc.
Now about drinks. Upon sitting down, I noticed the drinks menu and nearly had a coronary on the spot. These are prices PER GLASS :shock: :evil:
I went up to the bar (RH pic) ...
.. to enquire about the discount, as I didn't have my UA card with me. Turns out that the discount is for paying via a UA credit card, not having a membership card AND, that the prices only applied for 'premium drinks' like the wines mentioned and the better spirits. Drinks like "gin and tonic" and 'red wine" and "beer" were free (no chits required or apparent limits).
.. So Beefeater is 'premium' gin? I don't know what actually went into my gin & tonic, but at that stage I didn't care. We managed to go through a few while waiting for the plane, at the cost of $1 tip each glass. I don't mind paying that - especially as there was no 'tips jar' on the counter.
By the time we boarded (737, exit row seats again) the snow had stopped and skies were mostly clear. We pushed back on time ... then waited on the apron for 10 mins; then to de-icing and got sprayed taking 5 to 10 mins (temps were about minus 5 on the ground); then we waiting for another 10 mins, then moved to the run way. I sure didn't mind the de-icing, and JB has taught me that delays after push back can be time well spent (mostly), but I still don't get how the aviation industry in Nth America can function when just a small, short lived snow event at a modern airport, when traffic wasn't heavy (you can see the aprons and taxiways), can screw up a departure by over half an hour!
Anyway, off into the night. Service on board was again good. Free juices etc and can purchase alcoholic drinks and snacks. I had a 'Tapas box' which was a box of packets of snacks like cheese, crackers, olives, red pepper dip, cheese dip etc. About US$ from memory. Not bad.
Back in Calgary where it was at least above zero!