My guess is that TSA will make sure that the body scanners are on the Clear line.

Given that TSA already gets the chance to run a background check on every passenger ("secure flight"), there is little or no value proposition to Clear.

....again unless you're an MCO based frequent flyer. In that case, it was worth its weight in gold, despite no real security enhancements whatsoever. Just getting through the line in a consistent 5 minute window versus spinning the wheel of "I hope there's not 2 - 747 flights bound for the UK and 37 Southwest flights leaving at the same time as I hit the security line".

I know MCO is always going to be a challenge for speedy security due to all the families who are not frequently fliers, but I'd love a massive overhaul of TSA there. Between how it is managed/laid out, and from some of the cranky staffers there.

Yes I do MCO about 3 times a year. It looks very disorganized and I can imagine it could get very bad at times. When I go to MCO I am usually a solo traveler, I go for business. I have been able to use the diamond lane without much delay, but it seems others find that the diamond lane gets crowded when they travel.

MCO needs a complete overhaul. My thinking is, MCO probably attracts a lot of SP flyers anyway and so there is almost no advantage to forcing them into a limited number of lanes. I cannot otherwise understand why they do not have a better system there. But for me it has not yet been a problem.

I do feel badly for the people who have to fly out of there regularly.

Because to "fix it" it will cost money that the TSA, airport, and airlines do not want to spend. It doesn't cost them any money to have you wait...

Yes, there is no extra security value with Clear, it is just a fast-lane pay option.

So why not actually make it this? Drop the entire security charade from clear and have pay lines that one can order by year or per flight or whatever.

Better yet, let's start tipping the TSA agents instead of paying the fees @:-)

Oh, I agree. And even though IAD has gotten better of late, it was still worthwhile there (duly noted that the diamond lane - where Clear was - is now the designated wheelchair lane).

Bad idea. Then they'll shake us down more than they do now.

I hope not... If it comes back to MCO I will PAY a preimum to get out of that disaster.

Exactly. Which is why the personal information was irrelevant. Clear was never able to leverage a background check to take over operation of the line or reduce the level of screening.

This is what there should be. Leverage Global Entry's process, expand it, and create separate screening lines for Global Entry members.

What amazes me is how asinine TSA is. In Tampa, they have the Trace Portal (puffer) machines to detect explosive residue. But if you get randomly selected for puffing, you still have to remove your shoes and have them X-rayed. Remember why we remove our shoes: Richard Reid hid a bomb in his shoe. The TSA is so incredibly metaphysically stupid they do not realize if you make through the puffer, there is no explosives on you.

It is the same thing with this obsession with backscatter "strip search" scanners. They would not detect an underwear bomb. But a Trace Portal will. So what does TSA invest in? Backscatter machines. And of course they send those who go into the Backscatter through the magnetron (metal detector) as well.

Yes and no. the lost revenue is happening more and more. The airlines/ airports keep talking about loosing customers do to the hassle factor. As for TSA I do not think they care about much honestly as they are becoming more and more of a bureaucracy.

Wait times cost the airlines millions of dollars. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are driving these days to avoid flying on relatively short trips.

That is correct, which is why the new home of this thread is now the Travel Safety/Security forum.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta SkyMiles forum

Largely the hate comes from clear being unnecessary and pointless. You still need to show ID and be screened. It also has the potential to ruin and replace elite security lines that anyone who travels any real amount can access. The airport where this could best be seen was Orlando. Not a great airport and filled with families. They refuse to have elite lineups and people there think that clear is somehow a good thing.

The value proposition is just a shorter queue. Back when I had Clear, in places like DEN and SFO, it made a world of difference.

Even at DEN or SFO, there are multiple options for elite security, allowing you to visit another checkpoint if the one you are trying to visit is clogged up...

In SFO the elite lines can often take 15-20mins. When Clear was there it was nice, also for myself I fly SNA-SJC at least once a month and all but WN have abandoned SNA-SJC and the SJC lines could easily take north of 45mins thurs/fri late afternoon/evening. Now its better now in the new terminal that my 1K card seems to work fine and now WN has Business Select but when Clear was around neither of those were the case. Even now the BS seats are typically sold out more than a week out.