Avoid leaving the airport...heck, I wouldn't go groundside on a 4-hr layover unless they still had airside lockers (don't get me started on THAT one). Take a nap - wander the three concourses - go to one of the Qwest Business Centers and see if they still have free internet - anything but dealing with "security" screening...

Seriously - listen to belford's wisdom related to the convention. I'm not sure I'd bother leaving the airport with a 4-hr layover in the best of times. Consider: call it 1/2 hr to get off the plane and get groundside. 15 minutes wait for a shuttle/cab to anywhere off the airport. Maybe 20 min to downtown (as stated, essentially nothing near the airport). More time if you rented a car, as all car rentals are off-terminal. There's >1hr spent. Add the return trip time, account for delays in shuttle/taxi (another 1/2 hr or so) You will need to keep time for screening lines on your return - save 1/2 hr for a very good day. Then, getting to your gate before loading starts - another 1/2 hr. More than half your layover is already gone (leaving <1.5 hrs to explore), and that's if everything goes great.

RFTraveler ^