you're right, those are all good questions.

-David

There may be some confusion between CLEAR and the Trusted Traveler program (what TSA calls PreCheck).

With CLEAR, you only earn the right to go to the front of the TSA security line. Other than that, the procedure is the same. You still have to remove laptops, belts, coats, etc. In other words, no "special privileges" other than you don't have to stand in the long TSA line.

PreCheck is a separate lane where almost nothing is removed. Qualifying for that lane has nothing to do with CLEAR. It is a program operated by TSA and currently available only to select AA and DL passengers. There are no airports that have both CLEAR and PreCheck.

Isn't CLEAR also supposed to work all the time? I mean, unless there's a problem with your card, you're always taken to the front of the line - and then you go through the same routine as ordinary travellers.

PreCheck is random. Some folks have better luck than others - the info is on the BP, so even the TDC doesn't know until the BP is scanned if you are going to get an easy ride that day. Supposedly you will still be subject to random 'shoes/belts/laptops/grope' stuff. Also, I assume that if the scanner malfunctions or is lost, then no one gets an easy ride that day.

Wonder if Clear means that TSA trusted traveler will never make it to MCO or Denver.

Since the CLEAR restart, I haven't reactivate my card, which still has 5 months left. However, I don't plan to reactivate it anytime soon since I don't fly into SFO,DEN or MCO so it won't do me any good. I know that they don't refund back the money paid but someone told me of a class action suit on this. Anyone knows about this who can provide more info? thanks.

According to what I found, the suit is being led by two law firms. See this press release: http://www.schneiderwallace.com/news_detail.php?id=20

I fly out of MCO a lot and will continue to pay for clear. They do not do a good job on those black diamond lanes IMHO. Since you can self select the "bubba" family who last flew in 1970 can decide they are "expert". I have waited over an hour at that nightmare of an airport. (There is a reason clear went back in there first......one of the worst run airports IMHO)

Absolutely correct. The only time PreCheck has failed for me was on an intl flt.


+1. The "expert traveler" lane is a joke at MCO, typically ignored by TSA. Never seen only a 10 min wait, at best it is 15-30 min, often longer during busy periods.

Would agree that CLEAR is expensive, especially for those who rarely use it. But at $229/yr for both me and my wife who use it 70-90 times/yr combined, it is very well worth it to know we can avoid the unpredictable regular lines.

I don't fly out of MCO as much as I used to, or I'd get Clear in a heartbeat.
That airport, at certain times, is heinous. I can deal with regular lines once or twice a month. Any more, and I'd get Clear.
I fly THROUGH DEN, but rarely OUT of DEN. With only those two locations using Clear, it's not worth my money at present. Unless I start flying out of MCO more, or they place it in more locations, it's just not worth it to me.

Definitely understand that it takes some reasonably serious flying or lots of $$$ to justify CLEAR. However, they recently added SFO to their stable of airports is now up to a whopping THREE!

I've recently became more interested in CLEAR - I'm based out of DEN and just began the frequent flyer lifestyle. It's always seemed prohibitively expensive, especially since it didn't actually make the "screening" process any simpler. But with their recent $29/6 month promo, I decided to go for it. It will be interesting to see how worthwhile it is.