Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Travel Alert: Clear Security ceases operation

by Grant Martin (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd 2009 at 8:00PM

Just yesterday evening as I passed by the Clear Lane at Boston's Logan International Airport, I saw my favorite employee and wondered how the business was doing.

The company, designed to allow passengers to pay to get around lengthly security lines, was formed on the concept that enough people would pay for the service to make the operation profitable. Now, it appears that that's not the case -- especially as people are trying to cut back during the recession.

Navigating to flyclear.com, browsers receive the following, solemn message:

"At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations."

It's always sad to see a company fail, but in this case, it seems a bit more personal. Taking part in a review of the service earlier this year I distinctly remember meeting the Logan employees and writing positively about the experience. I wonder what they'll do now?

Filed under: Business, Airlines, Transportation, Airports, News

Search Travel Deals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

zbenye Jun 22nd 2009 8:19PM

The cost was prohibitive. I got a year free for being Marritt Platinum, and I certainly wasn't going to renew. It was nice a couple of times, but the Elite lanes were almost just as quick. Where there were no elite lanes - there was also no Clear.

I'm always sorry to see people lose their jobs, but all of the Clear employees that I had seen were young probably minimum-wage students. They'll surely find another job quickly at Panera or such.

Craig Jun 22nd 2009 10:00PM

I wonder what will become of all that personal data they've collected. Must be worth a pretty penny.

Eugene Rosenfeld Jun 23rd 2009 12:31AM

That's terrible. They saved me many hours of wait time in security lines. Wonder if another Registered Traveler provider will pick up Clear's customers.

Ed H Jun 23rd 2009 1:56AM

I just used the Clear Lane in Atlanta GA on Saturday morning, 6/20/2009. I used Clear as much as I could and it did work to get me through the long lanes. I travel every week of the year all over North America. I'm a Platinum flyer for Delta/NWA. Sad to see it go.

Now what happens to my unused portion of my yearly subscription that I paid for already? Do I get a refund for the unused portion?

FrequentFlyer Jun 23rd 2009 3:40PM

>Now what happens to my unused portion of my yearly subscription that I paid for already? Do I get a refund for the unused portion?

From the stark flyclear.com webpage....

Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear?

At the present time, because of its financial condition, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds.

Hmmmm... At the present time, because of MY financial condition, all I can do is give you the finger.