Airport Check-in: Denver's wait problem, 'America' returns

— -- DENVER

To speed its busy security checkpoint lines, Denver International plans to add workers to help travelers go through screening.

Starting in January, the workers, from a private firm, will direct people to the shortest line and remind them of the procedures enforced by the Transportation Security Administration — placing jackets in tray bins, removing shoes and the like.

According to the TSA, Denver International had the longest security wait times among large airports in the 12 months ended in September.

The average wait time is about 20 minutes in peak hours, with many passengers waiting 30 minutes or longer.

CHICAGO

Sculpture honors Battle of Midway

Check out America, a new sculpture in Chicago Midway. It's in the permanent exhibit about the history of the World War II Battle of Midway, for which the airport is named.

It was considered a major acquisition for the airport when it was installed by the Union League of Chicago, a military support group, following the 50th anniversary of Midway in 1993. Several years later, the city put it in storage when it demolished an old terminal.

The Union League refurbished and reintroduced it earlier this month as the centerpiece of the exhibit.

Sculptor Gary Weisman's 9-foot-tall bonze depiction of a military man in pain "symbolizes all the people in the military whether they came back, didn't come back or came back scarred," says the Union League's Frank Patton.

"The most striking part of it is the anguish in the face. Some veterans were upset. They didn't think it was heroic enough. But what we're honoring is the humanity of servicemen."

The exhibit, in Concourse A, also contains a restored SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft salvaged from Lake Michigan.

ST. LOUIS

Passengers can rock away in new chairs

Lambert-St. Louis has installed 70 rocking chairs for passengers in post-security areas in the East Terminal. "Rocking chairs have been a top request," said airport director Dick Hrabko.

The blue rocking chairs are located near gates. They're part of a broader campaign by the airport to add amenities.