Clear ceases operations & is back [merged threads]
Jun 22, 2009, 9:49 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 168
Seems so sudden. I've always felt uncomfortable about this program but bit the bullet and signed on to save time. It certainly did help sometimes. However, I do not like that we had to give all of our personal information to this company. Shady.
Jun 22, 2009, 9:52 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Plat, SPG Gold, Delta Platnium
Posts: 80
Clear to Cease Operations
Just got this note from Clear:
At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.
After today, Clear lanes will be unavailable.
I hope people are going to get their money back.
At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.
After today, Clear lanes will be unavailable.
I hope people are going to get their money back.
Jun 22, 2009, 9:54 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, SWG Plat
Posts: 102
I was a big fan of Clear. Definitely very sad to see this news. It saved my hide at least a few times when I was cutting a flight very close.
Jun 22, 2009, 9:57 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,221
Walked past a group of Clear sales personnel in JFK today and let them know their company had just ceased operations. They laughed at first cause they thought I was joking, then stopped slowly, realizing I was being serious.
Jun 22, 2009, 9:58 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
Jun 22, 2009, 10:03 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Didnt get a chance to use it, but sucks for all that lost $ on it.
Jun 22, 2009, 10:21 pm
#52
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Please follow in our Travel Safety/Security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Jun 22, 2009, 10:25 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, SWG Plat
Posts: 102
Jun 22, 2009, 10:30 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 50
Good riddance to the Clear lanes. Not because they weren't time-savers, but BECAUSE they were.
The absurdist theater that is the TSA won't change without sustained pressure from those in positions of influence. Anything that insulates those influential elites from the pain and frustration of TSA's boorishly incompetent 'service' will only slow the pace of change.
To use a fitting analogy, given how the TSA treats travelers: think of how much more humane and well managed our prison system would be if members of the influential class had the same incarceration rate as the underclass.
The absurdist theater that is the TSA won't change without sustained pressure from those in positions of influence. Anything that insulates those influential elites from the pain and frustration of TSA's boorishly incompetent 'service' will only slow the pace of change.
To use a fitting analogy, given how the TSA treats travelers: think of how much more humane and well managed our prison system would be if members of the influential class had the same incarceration rate as the underclass.
Jun 22, 2009, 10:33 pm
#56
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Gee, all Clear enrollees' personal data will be destroyed... when?
Jun 22, 2009, 10:36 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
Jun 22, 2009, 10:42 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, UA 2P
Posts: 1,453
FOR SALE: Clear Pax Private Data & Biometrics
While it is doubtful that failed publisher and privacy rapist Steve Brill will be taking-out a Craigslist ad with the above headline, it is only a matter of time before all of the personal data provided by a few deluded rubes to Clear is sold (and resold, and resold) off to whomever is willing to pay for the information.
You can change a lot of things if your identity is exploited: fingerprints are not on that list.
So, who will buy the data? Axciom? ChoicePoint? Scientology? Place your bets!
You can change a lot of things if your identity is exploited: fingerprints are not on that list.
So, who will buy the data? Axciom? ChoicePoint? Scientology? Place your bets!
Jun 22, 2009, 10:49 pm
#59
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
FYI, a list of other registered traveler companies is here... http://www.rtconsortium.org/ApprovedVendors.cfm
Jun 22, 2009, 10:53 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
CLEAR was a great idea with good intent, however, they too had to deal with the stupid asshats at TSA HQ too and were bound to fail. If they could have made their members immune from the shoe carnival and liquid paranoia it might have been more successful.
I refused to use them for a variety of reasons, and I'm now even more glad I never gave them a dime or my personal info.
I refused to use them for a variety of reasons, and I'm now even more glad I never gave them a dime or my personal info.