Registered Traveler (Fly Clear) (Merged Threads)
#77
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: RNO
Posts: 375
#79
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
There's a Washington Post article today about IAD and DCA awarding a contract for this yesterday:
LINK
LINK
Originally Posted by WaPo
The airport authority will receive a $500,000 minimum total annual payment from Verified to operate at the airports, Hamilton said.
#80
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,620
I wouldn't call it extortion, any more than allowing hybrids to drive in the carpool lanes forces me to buy a hybrid. I probably spend 10 hours a year waiting in line at OAK, so paying $100 or so to cut that by 75% would be entirely reasonable.
#81
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
Clear spares you only the line.
It is simply wrong that billions upon billions of our tax dollars fund the workfare program that is the TSA, but a citizen must expend an additonal $128 for just a smidgen of the efficiency that we all should be enjoying now given what we collectively pay.
It is simply wrong that billions upon billions of our tax dollars fund the workfare program that is the TSA, but a citizen must expend an additonal $128 for just a smidgen of the efficiency that we all should be enjoying now given what we collectively pay.
#82
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,065
Clear or unclear, keep in mind that you can go through either T1 (everyone but Southwest) or T2 (Southwest) security, regardless of where your gate is. This can easily save you 20-30 minutes at peak times.
If you face a really long line at one terminal, do a quick jog over to the other to see if you can save some time. In my experience, T1 follows a business traveller pattern, with heavy traffic in the morning and a big drop off after that. T2 has more of a leisure pattern, with hoards of people on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
If you face a really long line at one terminal, do a quick jog over to the other to see if you can save some time. In my experience, T1 follows a business traveller pattern, with heavy traffic in the morning and a big drop off after that. T2 has more of a leisure pattern, with hoards of people on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
#83
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
WOW! I'll finally be able to book flights from OAK again. The morning madness was so awful at both terminals I have avoided it for about a year. I use it at SFO and SJC. It works great. I can get up forty minutes before my flight boards out of SJC, shower, drive to the airport, park, clear security, and still have time to read the paper before boarding begins.
#84
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Clear spares you only the line.
It is simply wrong that billions upon billions of our tax dollars fund the workfare program that is the TSA, but a citizen must expend an additonal $128 for just a smidgen of the efficiency that we all should be enjoying now given what we collectively pay.
It is simply wrong that billions upon billions of our tax dollars fund the workfare program that is the TSA, but a citizen must expend an additonal $128 for just a smidgen of the efficiency that we all should be enjoying now given what we collectively pay.
"On the other hand", FYI, since OAK's kluge hasn't materially changed yet: Hyatt Gold Passport has a running promotion to join Clear free for a year. I don't remember if it's targetted. I'll try to find the link, but for those intrested, there's a thread about it on the Gold Passport board.
On the other hand again, there was an article in USA Today a couple of weeks ago, saying that there's been a very low uptake (enrollment) with a parallel program that has a more generic name. Price and the fact that most people in the bull's eye already have elite lines were cited as the reasons. (No mention of Clear, per se.)
Perhaps Clear should co-market with Southwest instead of Hyatt?
Last edited by Firewind; Jan 17, 2008 at 11:53 pm
#86
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,181
#87
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 95
Correct. They offer a free year of Clear to their upper elite members--Diamond and possibly Platinum also.
"On the other hand", FYI, since OAK's kluge hasn't materially changed yet: Hyatt Gold Passport has a running promotion to join Clear free for a year. I don't remember if it's targetted. I'll try to find the link, but for those intrested, there's a thread about it on the Gold Passport board.
#88
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Home
Posts: 1,910
I have no problems with Clear. I am also ok with the Hybrid/CNG Car Pool lane use.
For those of us who have paid, it clearly is worth the $$ spent. I can arrive at the airport in SJC 30 mins before my flight and still make it. This is because they put you at the very start of the line, only 1 person or so in front of you.
Of course, if too many people start using this service, it *might* backup. But for now, Thank you CLEAR for going to OAK!
For those of us who have paid, it clearly is worth the $$ spent. I can arrive at the airport in SJC 30 mins before my flight and still make it. This is because they put you at the very start of the line, only 1 person or so in front of you.
Of course, if too many people start using this service, it *might* backup. But for now, Thank you CLEAR for going to OAK!
#90
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Article in the Washington Post states that Clear has contracted with the folks that run DCA and IAD. There is a guaranteed payment from Clear to the Airport Authority in excess of $500,000 per year.
By the time they pay that, plus the screening fees, plus the people to run the lines, they've got to have a LOT of people signed up. And the only real way to do that is to make the other lines unbearable. The airport authority now has a vested interest in eliminating elite lines and slowing down performance of the main lines to make people want to go with Clear.
By the time they pay that, plus the screening fees, plus the people to run the lines, they've got to have a LOT of people signed up. And the only real way to do that is to make the other lines unbearable. The airport authority now has a vested interest in eliminating elite lines and slowing down performance of the main lines to make people want to go with Clear.