The summer started out as a nightmare for airline passengers confronted with outrageous delays at TSA airport checkpoints.

Some thought it might get even worse as summer travel numbers increased.

Well, there’s now some good news.

The TSA lines and the waiting times have actually gotten shorter.

Despite the high passenger numbers, the TSA has done some major reorganization.

For example, at the Denver Airport, which had its ten busiest travel days in history this summer, average wait times dropped to just 18 minutes.

A marked improvement.

The TSA has re-deployed manpower and figured out how to more intelligently match staffing to actual airline schedules.

The airlines have also helped out with staffers to do basic tasks like moving carry-on bins and directing passengers.

The TSA hired new contract workers to help as well.

Now for some good news—the TSA says it plans to keep those workers on the job through the equally crowded Thanksgiving and Christmas periods.

So, at least for airline passengers, Christmas may have come early in terms of long airport security wait times. Fingers crossed.

For more information about TSA and airport security, check out:

• What’s Behind the TSA Delays?
• Why PreCheck May Not Fix Long TSA Lines
• Tips for Picking a Security Line at the Airport

Keep reading for more travel tips.