Originally Posted by
BigFlyer
That is not exactly correct re the car pool lanes.
You can only pay your way into a carpool lane which is determined to be underutilized. So no buying your way into the carpool lanes in the central SF Bay Area, for example.
When you buy your way into an underutilized carpool lane it is not at the expense of anyone else, i.e., no one has a longer journey because you are in the underutilized lane.
In contrast, when you use clear, when you go to the head of the line you are causing others to wait longer.
Are you sure about that? Do you live in the Bay Area? I think none of the carpool lanes are underutilized here, particularly in the South Bay. And they are talking of eventually expanding the toll lanes to all of the highways. The infrastructure needs to be built up (transponder readers, etc). In fact, I read that Hwy 85 in San Jose will be converted, and traffic on that 20 mile stretch is far worse than 101 through the central bay area.
The idea is purely for the agencies to receive the additional money, they have even admitted it.
As far as Clear delaying people in the security line: That is another reason they escort you, to minimize the delay. And the delay is very minimal, believe me, only a few seconds, because you place all your items in the trays while standing outside of the line. Then, the escort jumps in and places your items on the belt and puts you in line. I've never heard anyone complain
