Clear vs Elite Security
 

I apologize if this has been covered before though I couldn't find it in a search.

I have been trying to decide if it makes sense to sign up for the Clear pre-screened passenger thing or if it is still just about as fast to go through the elite check in lines. Does anyone have experience with this in terms of United check-in and screening points across the country?

I would see myself mainly using it at SFO and JFK. At SFO the elite line is usually pretty sparse, though it can sometimes take 10 mins if it is crowed. The one exception being if I was going to fly international where there is no elite line though there is a Clear stand. At JFK I have never really seen the security line more than about ten people and never anyone in the C/F line.

Do other people have separate thoughts or other experiences at different stations?

1 - this belongs in TS&S not in UA
2 - why give $$ for a program is not and will likely never save you any time, will take your money, investigate (and keep tabs) on your personal life and likely share your data with the world due the carelessness of the govt, contractor or sub-contractor involved with the process.

Doesn't that pre-screening program just exempt you from secondary screening should you otherwise be selected to be SSSS'd? I don't think it allows you to skip any lines and you still have to go through the regular security screening so unless you are getting repeatedly SSSS'd why bother? Maybe there's something else that I'm missing that I'm not aware of.

If part of the decision involves money, you can try getting complimentary CLEAR for a year if you are Hyatt PLAT of DIAMOND level. I just saw a link on their web site myself (it used to be targeted through emails).

I was thinking of posting it in TS&S though I really only care about how it is in comparison with United's own elite screening lines. I decided it was a waste until I realized recently that it had expanded to SFO. So mods I guess you guys can make the decision.

There are separate CLEAR stands at some airports and going through them will bump you to the front of the regular security line. I think some airports even have a separate line for CLEAR users.

My company paid for me to try out CLEAR for a year. Signing up on the website was fast and easy and the questions were not intrusive at all. In fact, I have filled out credit applications that required a lot more information. After your application is approved on the website, you have to stop by one of the CLEAR kiosk in a participating airport to finish the process. There your fingerprints and iris are scanned and the whole procedure takes about 10 minutes. Two weeks later you get your CLEAR card after they do the security check. I tried out my CLEAR card on two trips through SFO domestic last week. The first trip was on Wednesday morning and the security lines were not crowded so I don't think it was any difference in speed going through security. You enter through a dedicated CLEAR channel and you still have to show your picture I.D. , boarding pass, and CLEAR card. The you step up to a machine to have your iris scanned. Once the machine confirmed your identity, you move over to a table where you still have to take your laptop and plastic baggie out of your carry-on. You also have to remove your shoes. One of the CLEAR personnel than take your tray to the front of the security line and put it on the conveyor belt for the Xray machine. Net effect is that you get to cut through the line of everybody waiting to put their carry-on through the scanner. The second time I used the CLEAR channel was Friday afternoon. SFO was busy and the UAL Premier security line was packed with people. I got through security in the same time as my first trip 2 days before but this time it clearly saved me 15 or more minutes. So my answer for the OP is that if you travel at busy times through airports with the program, CLEAR membership is definitely an advantage. My home airports of LAX and BUR do not have the CLEAR program so I don't know what my eventual advantage would be but I connect frequently through SFO and I like to go outside security for a smoke between flights so I can see it working for me at busy times.

CLEAR doesn't save you ANY screening at all, it is just a line cutting program. It's not even apparent that it saves you from being SSSS'd if you were otherwise going to be.

Only value is if you get it for free through the Hyatt program which ends December 31. Then you only get 1 year for free.

I just joined the Clear program as a result of my Hyatt status, and I don't think it's that useful, unless you plan on consistently arriving 30 min prior to your flight. It doesn't shorten the process at all: you still have to remove your laptop, shoes, and jacket...I had thought this process would be shortened as well, but it is only a cut pass, and you end up in the normal UA line at SFO, and people just look at you funny, like you just cut in front of them.

It's quite analogous to the UA Elite line, although it may be useful if you take 6am flights out of SFO, when all security lines are really full.

The program has no advantages whatsoever, and stores your personal biometric info. NO WAY.

What do you mean? For $100, everyone in the world can find out if they're on a watch list! I'm sure terrorists are already clamoring to get in line for this one.

CLEAR is the single supidest idea to come out of the TSA ever.

I've been a clear member for about a year.
The screening part of the application process took months - 3-4 total, I think.
In my year of membership Clear has saved me only about 40 minutes total - most of that came from two flights out of SJC when flying Southwest. In one of those cases I got through early enough to get on an earlier flight so that was well worth it.
In most cases where I have used it at JFK, RNO, IND - I have only shaved a few minutes off the security process.
The TSA security people aren't always 100% cooperative with their part of the process which reduces efficacy to some degree.

Correct. And that's indeed where it will go.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

When I signed up, I did so for two reasons.

1- I lived in Orlando and only had elite status with AA, so no elite screening.

2- They guaranteed no SSSS at the time.

Once I got SSSS'd twice in the same itin, I cancelled my membership, and surprisingly got a full refund.

Now I live in SJU which has AA elite lines :D

Clear was a huge waste of money (up front), my time (waiting in line at the airport once I passed their background check), and my vision (holding my eyes open for the retinal scan was not a fun experience, especially when it took like 6 attempts to get a scan).

I just canceled my membership. Tried Clear 3 times, LIT, SJC, DEN. It took longer than the normal security lines. My eye scans took several times then made me do fingerprints. Yesterday I just turned around went under the rope and through normal security line. Other stupid thing is they ask you for photo id to get in line to have retina scan.

Not worth it in my opinion. When you can keep from having to take shoes off then I will reconsider.