TalkBoard Member/Moderator: Southwest and JetBlue forums
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN CP & A-list, Interstate BBQ at MEM B17, CO Lifetime Presidents Club
Posts: 9,255
Quote:
Originally Posted by Global_Hi_Flyer
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.
I didn't realize that adding Clear gave an incentive to slow the regular lines to any entity in a position to accomplish this. Can you connect the dots as to how the airport authority would slow the regular lines? For example, are they able the control the TSA staffing levels?
I didn't realize that adding Clear gave an incentive to slow the regular lines to any entity in a position to accomplish this. Can you connect the dots as to how the airport authority would slow the regular lines? For example, are they able the control the TSA staffing levels?
Elite lines - easy.
Regular lines - plenty of things that they can do. At many airports there's a "pre-checker" that examines ID and BP before you even get in line. They can undertake "construction" projects that interfere with flow of regular lines (BWI has been "reconstructing" the floors in the new WN terminal over the last 6 months, including the floors in the screening areas. They can and do negotiate with TSA over staffing levels and access. They can make it less convenient for the lines, or route them out the terminal doors. (At SAT, for example, the lines for screening are currently set up as dual lines at Terminal 1 - they could simply route them as a long single line).
Or, they could go and get TSA authority to contract the screeners out, at which point they will have direct control of the manpower (MCI has private screeners). That cost, by the way, would likely be passed on to the airlines.
There are lots of things they could do, depending on the contracts they have with airlines and other vendors.
Remember that the airport controls the lines, TSA controls the checkpoints.
Now the real question is will they? The answer: I don't know. Doing things that slow down lines will invoke the wrath of the airlines & passengers.
My point, and my only point, is that there is an inherent conflict of interest as the airport gets concession fees from Clear. If Clear doesn't get enough subscribers, the airport will lose the fees.
I'm not familiar with the economics. Would signing up in OAK allow me access at other CLEAR airport locations too? Or do you pay by the airport?
Between CLEAR and A-List I'll feel "oh so special" when I fly LUV in OAK
Yep! One membership entitles you to access to the whole system, including registered traveller lines operated by entities other than Clear. I have used mine at SJC, SFO, IND, MCO, and RNO. Please, if there is a god - let there be Clear at LAX!
TalkBoard Member/Moderator: Southwest and JetBlue forums
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN CP & A-list, Interstate BBQ at MEM B17, CO Lifetime Presidents Club
Posts: 9,255
This thread started out covering a subject of some interest to Southwest customers but mostly about Travel Safety and Security. Then, not too surprisingly, it devolved into a typical gripe session about the TSA. So I'm moving this to TS&S to continue any "discussion" you may wish to have.
Programs: UA Global Services; UA/1K (since 1991); Marriott Platinum; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 178
Clear & The Absolute Stupidity of TSA
Gawd I'm getting sick of the stupidity of TSA and their mission creep. So I admit it, I joined Clear sometime ago. Heck, as a former government official with dozens of TS/SCI clearances, what the heck, at least move to the front of the line. And, I've corresponded with Steve Brill about the stupidity of a recent TSA ruling on ID checks, but experienced it for the first time at LGA last Friday.
Went to the Clear line, inserted my card, put my thumb on, and what do you know, the biometrics worked and identified me as who I was supposed to be. But, the poor Clear person asked me for my ID. (I knew this was coming but had to nonetheless question it). Why, I ask? "So I can show it and your BP to TSA so they can verify it." Huh? Didn't the biometrics just match me to the card and therefore, to the name on the BP? "Well, yes, but TSA requires this."
The poor kid then takes my drivers license (which is a duplicate, but think I'll get a fake one soon) and shows it to the TSA guy checking ID's, who looks it over, looks at my lovely face, back at the drivers license, and, yep, confirms, it's me!
This shows why so many people on here are sick and tired of TSA and this lousy excuse for screening. TSA is supposed to check for dangerous items, not look at drivers licenses in order to protect airline revenue. This schmuck at the screening line had no idea whether my licence was real or fake. At least Steve Brill and Clear knew I was who I said I was, but not TSA.
So, for all of you thinking about getting Clear so you can avoid some of the stupidity of TSA, hang on to your (fake) documents. The geniuses at TSA are still going to check.
Which reminds me, just what is the purpose of ID checking? They don't compare it to any watch list, they can't verify whether it's real or not; and, as we've seen on other threads you don't need ID to fly anyway.
This is why the public is becoming cynical. This is why people on here despise TSA. This is why I will continue to fight the stupidity of TSA anyway i can.
Go watch the German indy film, "Lives of Others". While others are moving toward freedom, we're inexorably moving toward a police state.
Personally, I think CLEAR is a bunch of BS. Sure, you can get through the line sooner in some airports. But is just handing over your rights on a silver platter worth the cost?
This is what our gov't is best at these days. Acting as though certain things are law, when they're not. Then, once the vast majority buys into it and stops questioning, they make the unlawful lawful.
I STRONGLY urge everyone to reject CLEAR, and go about flying as usual.
No one is asking you to trade away your rights. You have the right to stand in a long line like anyone else if you choose.
Clear has saved me the indignities of long airport lines, making my airport time more efficient. It is a fair tradeoff.
Is it one price for all CLEAR locations?
