My membership was expiring next month anyway, I attempted to use it once during an overnight in ATL and became very dissatisfied. In my mind, CLEAR never delivered what they promised because I don't think TSA ever showed them any respect. The product was of no value to the Int'l traveler. My one experience in ATL was a disaster because I couldn't find the CLEAR line and when I did it still took time to get carry-ons screened and x-rayed.
All of those words just to say that *you* couldn't find the right lane
...Very dissapointed right now and not sure what will happen, either TSA starts it's own programme or someone comes in and buys out Clear, or the worst option. We all go back to the lines of the TSA.
Agree about the disappointment. TSA can't even come close to duplicating the CLEAR concept. Unless they are willing to enforce their existing lanes, they might as well just label them "1, 2 ,3 and 4". Better get used to the TSA approach.
All of those words just to say that *you* couldn't find the right lane
In DeltaFirst's defense, the two times I tried to find their lane at ATL I didn't see it either! They didn't do a very good job with signage, obviously.
Too bad. I thought Clear was a valuable tool for me when I was traveling twice weekly, and I really got to know those Clear agents! But I don't travel that heavily right now, so I'm fine with it. I certainly got my money's worth out of it (more than one occassion jumps to mind)!
I can say with some level of first-hand familiarity that the combination of tough economic times and, frankly, some very dubious leadership, led to this. It was a ship that was sinking for a while.
I can say with some level of first-hand familiarity that the combination of tough economic times and, frankly, some very dubious leadership, led to this. It was a ship that was sinking for a while.
And to add to this, I feel bad for those who bought multi-year memberships that Clear was pushing.
The way these guys dealt with their business partners (quite quite unprofessionally), is no way to win concessions from them once you're in a pickle.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyTLe
Looking at their website and announcement, doesn't look like they are going to do the right thing and provide refunds.
Got to give Andy another +1 on this. We're looking at a private company going under with about 10 hours notice. Your cc company is the only entity with an interest to help you, and I think those that re-upped more than a couple months ago will have a real problem finding recourse there.
As for Clear's competitors, unless any are very well capitalized, which is unlikely in this environment, they're probably doomed, too.
Eventually, TSA will roll out its own - for real - registered traveler program which might allow us to throw a few dollars toward our debt load after saving the banks and the auto industry.
This is a fascinating thread and will probably only be more so in the days to come. I feel for all of you on the losing end of this.
To me, it seems those who really enjoyed it were those who are based at smaller airports. In my albeit limited observation, the ATL deployment was a failure. Just not enough traffic. And, if you look at the list of Clear locations I posted upthread, there were clearly not enough major hub or population centers to support this business model.
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, QF WP, DL PM, US Conscientious Objector, TED Boycotter, SPG PLT, TSA Disparager Diamond
Posts: 37,456
Extorted Traveller dies. How sad.
Clear was a stupid idea.
No one should have had to pay money and give biometric + personal information in exchange for what should have been a normal, not the exception to, the screening process.
Clear couldn't even deliver on that. People still got the Shoe Carnival and Liquids Idiocy, even if they had sold out to Clear.
Clear should have allowed its suckers to bypass security all together - as if they were law enforcement officers or TSA Workfare employees.
PT Barnum was right once again with Clear. I'm sorry if you were one of those born every minute and subscribed to Clear.
It is none of the government's or anyone else's business who flies, when, where, or why. We should NEVER have to identify ourselves to travel.
PS: Good luck getting your personal information destroyed.
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for change.
No one should have had to pay money and give biometric + personal information in exchange for what should have been a normal, not the exception to, the screening process.
Clear couldn't even deliver on that. People still got the Shoe Carnival and Liquids Idiocy, even if they had sold out to Clear.
Clear should have allowed its suckers to bypass security all together - as if they were law enforcement officers or TSA Workfare employees.
PT Barnum was right once again with Clear. I'm sorry if you were one of those born every minute and subscribed to Clear.
It is none of the government's or anyone else's business who flies, when, where, or why. We should NEVER have to identify ourselves to travel.
PS: Good luck getting your personal information destroyed.
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, QF WP, DL PM, US Conscientious Objector, TED Boycotter, SPG PLT, TSA Disparager Diamond
Posts: 37,456
Quote:
Originally Posted by elCheapoDeluxe
A little late, but not unexpected
I have a life outside FT.
Do you have something to say about my post, or are you just going to make a meaningless addition to your post count? It may not get you your Clear money back, or your personal data, but perhaps you feel better?
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for change.
Do you have something to say about my post, or are you just going to make a meaningless addition to your post count? It may not get you your Clear money back, or your personal data, but perhaps you feel better?
Considering CLEAR is now dead, complaining about how useless it was when it was around is a more meaningless addition to post count, in my mind. But, if it makes you feel better to spout off your paranoid conspiracy theories and flame products because they don't meet *your* needs, by all means, feel free.
I'm going to really miss CLEAR and the 10+ minutes it saved me every time I flew. And that's over the elite lines at DEN. I'm just glad I have those to fall back on since they still save me 20+ minutes over the regular lines. That time really added up, and, while I was still on a free trial thanks to SPG, I would happily have renewed at the end of my period.
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, QF WP, DL PM, US Conscientious Objector, TED Boycotter, SPG PLT, TSA Disparager Diamond
Posts: 37,456
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcasner
Considering CLEAR is now dead, complaining about how useless it was when it was around is a more meaningless addition to post count, in my mind. But, if it makes you feel better to spout off your paranoid conspiracy theories and flame products because they don't meet *your* needs, by all means, feel free.
I'm going to really miss CLEAR and the 10+ minutes it saved me every time I flew. And that's over the elite lines at DEN. I'm just glad I have those to fall back on since they still save me 20+ minutes over the regular lines. That time really added up, and, while I was still on a free trial thanks to SPG, I would happily have renewed at the end of my period.
And how's that working out for you now?
You chose to trade your money and your personal information for convenience instead of calling for the hide of TSA for imposing such restrictions in the first place. That was your choice; c'est la vie.
Now, you should hope that Clear doesn't choose to "lose" your personal information that you so willingly traded for 10 minutes of convenience instead of questioning the need for Clear in the first place. Good luck.
PS: I've never waited more than 3 minutes at either elite lane in DEN.
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for change.
You chose to trade your money and your personal information for convenience instead of calling for the hide of TSA for imposing such restrictions in the first place. That was your choice; c'est la vie.
As I said in my post, I didn't pay for it, but would happily have done so. Now, if you're suggesting that TSA is going to go away, that's just ridiculous. Should it, absolutely. Will it? Not a chance. Considering CLEAR came around 4 years after TSA, claiming that we should have spent more time trying to get rid of the TSA regulations is kind of a silly claim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiff
Now, you should hope that Clear doesn't choose to "lose" your personal information that you so willingly traded for 10 minutes of convenience instead of questioning the need for Clear in the first place. Good luck.
Just as I should hope that my bank and every one of the numerous companies that has the same information of mine doesn't lose it. Are you saying the same thing to WAMU customers? A company going out of business doesn't mean the end of the line for your personal information, which can hardly even be considered personal knowing how many organizations have it...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiff
PS: I've never waited more than 3 minutes at either elite lane in DEN.
Wish I could fly outside of peak hours. Must make life easy!
Do you have something to say about my post, or are you just going to make a meaningless addition to your post count? It may not get you your Clear money back, or your personal data, but perhaps you feel better?
You came here, on queue, and called everyone in this thread who bought and used this service suckers. If you're going to come here and call all of us suckers, that really makes you look like a jerk. Some of us got years of good use out of this product. It grew out of the vast expansion of airport security that many could rightfully say is unwarranted. But warranted or not, private enterprise stepped in and offered some alleviation to the problem. This is how new products and services come to be in a capitalist society. Clear didn't create the chaos - only offered a voluntary alternative.
Now, clear is gone. You're right again. Great. Checking identity at airport security isn't going away, though that never seems to stop you from padding your own post count with another tirade on the subject. Now - did you have anything useful to say to the people who appreciated and lost this service?
