Originally Posted by
Harry IAH
There seems to be a lot of confusion over these programs.
Global Entry: Allows you faster access through Passport Control when arriving into the US on an international flight. You can use computer kiosk terminals, usually with no waiting, instead of the potential long lines in the arrivals hall. Also, there might be an expedited line for exiting through Customs after you get your baggage.
Pre-Check: Allows you faster access through TSA Security Screening for 12 US-based airlines. Dedicated line for Pre-Check through to screening. Pre-Check is airline-specific. Once you have been approved by TSA for Pre-Check (or if you are already a member of Global Entry, Nexus, Trusted Traveler), you enter your 'Known Traveler Number' in your airline profile. If you are selected for Pre-Check on a specific upcoming flight, it will be printed on your boarding pass, and then you can use the Pre-Check lane at security. Not guaranteed, and dependent on your flying on Pre-Check airlines.
Clear Security: Allows you faster access through TSA security screening at 13 airports. Once registered, you use the Clear lane at security for every flight, regardless of airline or destination, with the Clear computer kiosk. This skips you past TSA ID check and into security screening. I used this 2 weeks ago on a British Airways flight at IAH Terminal D security. Jumped me right ahead of everyone waiting for ID check (including Pre-Check people), but mucked in with everyone else waiting for the scanner.
And that is why I find CLEAR useless. Very few airports and all it gets you is a possibly faster experience between the ID check and scanner. GE/Pre-Check gets you a magnetometer, no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no lapto, 3-1-1 baggie removal and an overall much faster experience.
Now that the "managed inclusion" people are largely gone, the CLEAR thing might save on average 30 seconds while the access to the pre-check routinely takes me anywhere from 15 seconds to 2 minutes at most airports.