Security Clearance

[kyshel]

Does anyone have experience with companies such as flyclear.com or similar for pre-authorized rapid security clearance at major domestic US airports? The Clear system is avail at my local airport CVG plus a very few select ones, like some JFK terminals--not mine, of course--and little rock and reno, etc) The annual fee for Clear is $100 ($200 for 3)--not bad if you use it frequently. There are certainly more to open in the future if successful.
I am guessing that there may be others...?
Please add your views/insights.
Thanks y'all.

[kyshel]

Update:
flyclear is finally installed at Delta terminals 2/3 as well as LGA.

ATL and LAX to follow this summer

Membership is $100 + $28 for TSA to screen and there is a current promotion at Delta that awards enrollees 1000 SkyMiles

www.flyclear.com/delta

As soon as ATL opens their lanes, I'm joining.

[travel2fun]

kyshel, I think I got an offer from Delta to sign up for one year free with flyclear.com but I decided there are already more than enough agencies that have information on me. I decided to just pass up the office and stand in line.

[CMDAVILACLI]

I'm not familiar with the Clear system, but I have noticed that several airports are implementing lines in security for those who "think" they are savvy with the security process and are supposedly seasoned travelers. This line/lane is designated clearly for such travelers, and at Oakland, CA where I first saw this, the line was very short compared to the others. I jumped into this line, removed everything I was supposed to remove and zipped right through it. There were no families with kids/strollers, groups with tons of carry-ons and such in this line... just a few business men who had everything out/off and into the bins in a jiffy. I hope other airports institute this line because it definitely made a difference.

cmdavilacli

[kyshel]

I'll be watching my FF news, too travel2fun--thanks. Maybe it was offered prior to opening in the big airports, but if it's still avail, I'll do it.

[jashermd]

Hello,

I'm enrolled with Clear, and the service works well for domestic flights -- so far I've used it in New York and San Francisco. The people who sign up tend to be business travellers who known how to get through quickly, so as previous posters have said there's no waiting for families with kids (who always seem to take double the time of people on their own), infrequent flyers who have to go through the arch ten times because of stuff they leave in their pockets, and large tour groups with a tonne of luggage. If you like to minimise your time in queues and you fly frequently it may be a good investment.

Cheers,
Julian




Message Edited by jashermd on 07-19-2008 12:55 PM

[kyshel]

I just applied online, completed the necessary scans at my local airport and expect my card in a week or so.
I got 1000 Skymiles from Delta by linking thru their website. I also have a referral code which can be used when applying for an extra month added to the membership. My LL friends can use DSCAM12020446.

[lhbrown]

Hi kyshel,
I am a Delta FF member, but I have not seen the free offer for Clear, otherwise the fee for one year is $128.00 so their website states. When did the Delta offer for a free year go out? via e-mail? Is there any way I still can get a free year for this cClear service from Delta? I usually set off all the bells and whistles since I had a hip replacement. It is rather disconcerting when you are pulled over for a thorough screening and all you computer/carry on stuff is floating out there for anybody to walk off with.... I usually worry about that.

[kyshel]

T-2-F mentioned an offer, but I never saw one either. I'm happy with extra month. With my puny little stash of miles, I'm hardly near medallion or otherwise privy to upper level Skymiles deals. I did get the miles for enrolling, tho. The scans were very interesting and took very little time. I wonder if Omegaet saw a special email?

Message Edited by kyshel on 08-05-2008 06:03 AM

[lhbrown]

Hi,
Just came across this article which might be of interest to anybody enrolled in the Clear program.

Laptop Theft Threatens Travelers' Private Data

The personal information of 33,000 air travelers who enrolled in a program to speed up their check-in process has been compromised because of a laptop theft at San Francisco International Airport.
The stolen computer belonged to Verified Identity Pass, which offers speedy check-in services for $128 the first year. The company has more than 200,000 clients and operates at 17 airports in the U.S. It has begun notifying the customers whose information was stolen and a police investigation is under way.

The laptops contained all the applicants' names, addresses and birth dates, as well as drivers' license, passport or alien registration numbers for some. That information was not encrypted on the computer, the way credit-card, Social Security and biometric information is. However, Verified Identity Pass says the computer has "two levels" of password protection.

No credit-card numbers, Social Security numbers or biometric information were stored on the laptop, which had been stored in a locked office. Security cameras did not pick up on the thieves. Verified Identity Pass says it offers a "no-strings-attached" warranty for those whose information is used by the thieves to open new accounts or access their financial information.

"We have now taken additional security measures ... including encrypting [the data], which we should have done from the beginning," CEO Steve Brill said in a statement.

Most of the customers in danger of a data breach had signed up online but had not completed the in-person enrollments, according to the company. Some were in the process of re-enrollment because the collection of their biometrics scans was incomplete.

In cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration, VIP has suspended new enrollments in the Clear program, though existing customers can still use the system.