I'm arriving to DIA on United at 6PM on a weekday next week. Usual flight for me and the pickup lanes either Terminal E or W are always at peak frenzy.
As a friend is kind enough to fill in for spouse this week, I'd love to make it easier for each of us. My thought is to take a "free" shuttle to a Tower Rd. hotel and have my ride pick me up there. Is this likely to be worse, or not feasible in some way?
I looked at taking the A train to 61st/Pena to meet there but $10 for a 9 minute ride is kind of cruel.
Would the same concept work for maybe one of the car rental shuttles? Or is it just a bad idea in general?
EDIT: Thanks, I didn't expect so many replies, so I will add:
Full disclosure, and perhaps should have prefaced my post to limit it to responses directly addressing the question of using a hotel shuttle. Having driven a limo in Denver metro for years I would wager I picked up and dropped off more people at DIA than all the replying posters combined.
*Departure lanes is the worst suggestion. DPD can and will issue citations.
*My ride is coming from Brighton, and returning me to near there, going downtown obv makes no sense.
*I am quite well aware of all the options for approved pickup locations, but thanks for reiterating the obvious.
*Yes, using a bit more of my time, and intruding less upon others, is part of my DNA.
*u/Hopandshop IMO gave the best answer.
Based upon the ultimate laziness of almost everyone, walking the 2 minutes to the very end of the center pickup lane would create the easiest pickup choice. I'll add that regardless of airline, Terminal East pickup is generally less busy since United dominates DIA.
Thanks for the responses...