When they were first starting up Clear years ago, it was supposed to be a sort of trusted traveler program - you would apply, be vetted, and would get to go to the head of the line AND have a less rigorous security check (leaving shoes on was going to be one of the perks.)

As I understand it, even though there is some vetting when you join, it has now lost any pretense of being any sort of trusted traveler program. You pay your money, you get to to to the head of the line, but you then get the same security check as everyone else.

Why do the airports allow the program? What is the public policy rationale for letting you go to the front of the line by paying money to a company which exists for no other purpose than taking people's money to let them go to the head of the line?

At least when the airlines have the elite lines there is some rationale related to the airline's business.

The only reason I can think of is that the airports receive rent money from Clear to allow the program.

It makes big sense to me, as I fly out of SFO often, and it saves a LOT of time. I always know that I can get through security in less than 3 minutes.

From the NY Times in May of this year

Airports have financial and logistical enticements to work with Clear. The company shares revenue from its members� fees with airports. A special Clear lane arguably eases overall congestion at security checkpoints while raising money and providing a service for which time-pressed business travelers, who cringe at long security lines, are willing to pay $179 a year.

�We paid Orlando in the first year close to a million dollars, and delivered a much better experience to their customers,� said Ms. Seidman-Becker, a prominent hedge fund manager and a co-founder of Alclear Holdings. Alclear bought the old Clear�s assets, including its signature kiosks and special technology, for about $5.7 million in bankruptcy court.

I can see the revenue incentive to airports.

I don't see how it eases overall congestion, as I believe after you go through clear you are still inspected by a TSA agent, so no net reduction in the load on the TSA.

Since SFO will start precheck at UA and Virgin/AA on Nov 14, I can't help but think it'll eat away at Clear's slice of the pie.

[email protected] to know regarding SFO PreCheck. I fly through there on the 15th. I was going to comment that the Clear line is significantly faster than even the elite lines. United has a GS line down near gate 74 (IIRC) that is too far out of the way to be a benefit. The Clear lane at SFO went where I would've put the elite line. One of my good friends is a 1K and we travel together occasionally. Her home airport is SFO, so she got Clear. We both checked in bags for a flight recently and I went through GS line while she went through Clear......surprise, surprise....she got through security first and at the central split point for the United terminal.

It will be quite interesting to see how PreCheck is implemented in SFO. It'll be even nicer to stop getting the triple beep while I'm passing through only to be told it still means nothing there.

Here's the link I found:

http://blog.sfgate.com/cmcginnis/2012/11/08/precheck-trusted-traveler-lanes-arrive-at-sfo/

I had the same question. What about the so called security if it can be bought?

So it make sense because you like it. I think OT had a deeper concern, but I may be wrong.

I'm not spending any more money unless I get to keep my shoes on.

I think you are just buying a cut in line - you get the same security check as everyone else. I believe only with TSA PreCheck do you get a lower level of scrutiny.

OK, I'll expound a bit.
The OP is asking if Clear makes sense, given that Pre-Check exists.

Pre-Check is not always available. You are not guaranteed to get Pre-Check on every flight even if you are accepted into the program. Also, GE is currently a prerequisite for Pre-Check, since it is a trusted traveler program. I was denied GE (Yes, I'm one of the "bad" guys). I fly a lot out of SFO, and with Clear, I know that I can clear security in less than 3 minutes every time. I wouldn't have that assurance with Pre-Check.

Honestly, I think a lot of folks are down on Clear only because of the $179 annual cost. But when I consider what my time is worth, the cost is minimal. In fact, even if I was accepted for Pre-Check, I would probably still keep Clear. And I can add a family member for $50. I pay more than that (and get less) for the annual dues to a professional engineering organization that I belong to.

As an added bonus, I love the open-jawed looks and stares from the pax in the 30 minute long security line as I get escorted to the front of the line. And they do escort you, so there are never any confrontations with pax.

You are not buying security. Clear only allows you to cut to the front of the line. You still get the same security check as everyone else.

Which goes back to the original question I asked.

I see the public policy rationale for having a "trusted traveler" program, which is what Clear was originally supposed to be. However, when the TSA ultimately did not allow a different inspection for Clear members as Clear initially promised, it became a program where you simply pay money to cut the line.

I assume that it is because of the initial "trusted traveler" idea that Clear still has the biometric looking checkpoints, even though that level or security really serves no purpose.

I don't see the public policy rationale for allowing some people to pay money to a private company to cut the line for a governmental service.

Just to add my .02

I was with CLEAR old and new. I was considering dropping it once the PreChk fired up at MCO, buti am gladi kept it.

I now refer to it as my insurance policy for MCO. PreChk has been good, but is not 100%. if i do not get the three beeps, it is my get out of jail card, allowing me to bypass the line on the other side. Not as good as pre, but more consistent.

CLEAR is not for everyone, but I find value in it. Pre does not work on an intl itenerary. And in MCO, Pre is only on one side of the terminal.

I just renewed me and my partner.