I’ve had Clear for years and used them weekly pre-pandemic, and are now using them more frequently again. In addition to much larger lines than they had in the past, I’m continuously butting up against agents who insist on seeing my boarding pass before they let me scan (or even access the lane).

The Clear website does not mention (as far as I can find at least) anything about boarding pass checks prior to scanning the pass. I suspect this is an operational move because some travelers don’t actually have their correct boarding pass up and they want to flag those travelers earlier. But I signed up for Clear primarily for the privacy angle (albeit understanding the biometrics come with their own set of issues)…to avoid the ‘papers please’ experience of the regular TSA interaction. Pre-COVID I would occasionally get asked for my pass but I was always able to demur and just confirm I was clear, I had PreCheck, etc. I’ve now been outright turned away several times, even after I’ve tried very kindly to explain I had privacy concerns with showing my boarding pass, and even after offering assurances I’ll happily scan my pass on the kiosk as per protocol. Uniformly the customer service has been terrible, with “this is our job” explanations and basically telling me I can take it or leave it.

Given the longer lines, the price increase, and now this issue I’m considering cancelling. To be fair I’m also considering just sucking it up and sacrificing my principles, and using Clear when the PreCheck line is long.

Has anyone else noticed this change? Is there any other strategy I could employ here…I’m not trying to Karen/Ken the staff but I really do see this as an undocumented, customer unfriendly change from the way the system worked in the past.