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Clear Traveler: Register for a Fast Pass Through Airport Security
Willy wrote about the Clear Registered Traveler Program in February, but last week when I heard yet another story about someone who keeps getting pulled in for hours of questioning because of his name, I wondered if this pass might help fix that situation.
Let's say you're one of those people whose names (or looks) gets you stopped for hours of questioning each time you meet up with airport security. Maybe your name is on the No-Fly list. Or perhaps, airport security moves too darned slowly for your tastes--you're a frequent traveler, and if you were paid for the hours you've waited in airport lines, you'd be a rich person.
As Willy wrote, the Clear Registered Traveler Program serves as an early security check-point that, once you've been approved and pay your membership fee, you get to breeze through the subscriber security line at the airport using your Clear pass. Here's a recap of how it works. First, you go through a background check for TSA approval, and once you are found to be a-okay, you're issued a card that has your encrypted fingerprint image or an iris scan. This is not a through the mail process, but involves an in-person visit.
At the airport, you insert your card into a kiosk that reads it and matches the card with your fingerprint when you put your finger on the scanner. Once cleared, you get a clearance stamp that shows TSA you are good to go. You and your baggage still have to go through TSA screening, but I assume this is faster? Otherwise, what's the darned pass for? Still, it does sound very James Bondy or something. This is biometrics, baby.
Not all airports have this service, but the list is growing. Clear security lanes in La Guardia in New York are the lastest ones--they were to open this month.
The membership fee runs about $100 per year. Here's the link for how to join. If your security status changes, your membership is revoked. By, the way, I'm not sure if this would work if your name is on the No Fly List even though you are not the person who is the security threat, but a person who has the same name.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Jul 17th 2008 12:38PM
In response to John Little's post: Why the hell don't they have shoe scans everywhere? And what is with banning of liquids more than 3 oz.? Even the British airliners who originally thought those can be harmful have since said it was based on rumor and misinformation. Between the Fast Pass ($100 a year) and airlines now charging for soft drinks, including water, this con job known as the airline industry smells like war-profiteering and collusion BIG-TIME!
marti Aug 27th 2008 9:21PM
I joined Clear Pass and must say that after using it several times at different airports I am MORE THAN THRILLED about the time that it has saved me virtually every time I used it! I found the attendants at the Clear Pass lanes were cheerful and helpful (probably because the work load is way light -- there was NEVER anyone else on the clear pass line!) and helped me through security quickly. I felt like a rock star going to the head of the line EVERY TIME with the Clear Pass attendants carrying my bags and smiling all the way. One flight I had that was in a way overcrowded airport with regular line out the door, saved me at least an hour by using the Clear Pass. I recommend Clear Pass to anyone who has little patience to wait in a line that inches along and would rather sit at the gate relaxing. If you use my Referral Code: SCA20888 when you sign up for the Clear Pass - both you and I will get a FREE MONTH! Thanks and good luck to you!
Andrea Feb 10th 2009 7:27PM
I only see a handful of airports that offer this fast pass. I live in CA & it doesn't look like it will be beneficial for me right now, or is the site not updated?
Dan Sep 18th 2007 10:03PM
Actually the person who gets stopped for questioning would likely never clear the background check to get approved for a "Clear Pass" as best as I've heard it.
Jamie Rhein Sep 18th 2007 10:06PM
But, if a person is not a "threat" but has the same name as someone who is, wouldn't that person eventually be able to be cleared? The guy I heard about on NPR gets stopped each time and goes through 4 hours of questioning (or thereabouts) each time he goes to get on an airplane. Then he gets cleared until the next time. I don't quite get why someone can't get cleared once and for all if they check out as not a threat.
Leslie Sep 27th 2007 11:03PM
Actually they have something similar to this in the UK for their frequent travelers. They do a retina scan and they are guaranteed to go through customs in less than 10-15 minutes....it took everyone else about 1 to 2 hours to get through the long lines to enter.(that was going through all four different stops to get & out of the airport security checkpoints. They had a special line...walked up with their passports and put their hand on a screen and looked into some goggles...then they immediately went to a line for luggage search first. They actually stopped the line and moved them up. Each stop point had one. It made me wish we had it as well in the states. It was voluntary the first time took about 1.5 hours to complete all the paperwork, fingerprinting & retina scanning.
T Sep 27th 2007 11:02PM
I have the this and it saves a TON of time. You do have to go through the regular x-ray, etc., however after you get cleared at the Clear checkpoint, they take you to the front of the line.
John Little Sep 27th 2007 11:02PM
Having had a Clear card for a year now, I can tell you without a doubt it's one of the best investments I have made to help my travelling in a long time. I usually take an average of three flights a month (for a while it was once a week) and even though that does not sound like a lot, having the knowledge I can go to the airport without the concern of how long the security lines are. The clearance process takes about two minutes and the special lane they have for the Clear members for X-ray and screening gives us a "fast pass" to the front of the line, cutting that wait time down to literally zero. They even have a shoe scan that has allowed me to walk through the line with my shoes on (another big bennie). I have only had the chance to use it in Orlando, but from what I have heard, similiar experiences have been had by folks at other airports.
Byron Raum Nov 25th 2007 11:06PM
I think most people are missing the real reason for what the TSA is doing. Perhaps I am being overly cynic, but the reason for the sternness that travellers encounter is due not to any security reason, but to convince the public that Something Is Being Done. In the TSA's own testing agents can carry through explosives or other dangerous devices almost every time (almost, in this case, is more than 75%.) Given this, the registered traveller program is actually a very good idea, since it maintains the same illusion of protection, while making it easier on some people who are willing to pay the fee.