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-   -   Clear ceases operations & is back [merged threads] (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/967565-clear-ceases-operations-back-merged-threads.html)

Ari Jun 23, 2009 1:08 am

And then there were four:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...perations.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...down-damn.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...perations.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...perations.html

. . . and a distant relative:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...iometrics.html

BillScann Jun 23, 2009 2:09 am


Originally Posted by td_in_training (Post 11953261)
received my "we discontinued service an hour ago" email a few hours ago... this is an OUTRAGE!!

<<snip>>

If you miss a flight because of this CLEAR BS, please do your best to maximize your rebooking fees and then blame everything on your airline - especially if they comp'd your CLEAR membership at some point...

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::td::td::td::td:
OUTRAGE
:td::td::td::td::td::td::td::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Don't blame the airline, blame yourself for drinking Steve Brill's Kool-Aid and giving your privacy pearls to swine.

PS: Good luck getting new fingerprints.

jfulcher Jun 23, 2009 5:12 am


Originally Posted by Dovster (Post 11953234)
Sunday night, I was supposed to fly JFK-TLV on Delta. The check in and TSA lines in Terminal 3 were extremely long. As far as I could see, there was no Clear or FC/Medallion lines.

I took a voluntary bump, was given an upgrade to Biz Elite for the following evening, and showed up at JFK at the exact same time. This time, I used Terminal 2, which is reserved for FC/Medallions.

There was a Clear line there, but nobody was using it. The usual TSA lines (which in Terminal 2 get only FC/Medallions) had only a few passengers. In fact, I was able to walk right to the front.

This made me think that Clear was bound to fail (at least at JFK). Anyone who uses it often enough to make it worthwhile paying for is going to have Medallion status -- and would not have to wait very long even without it.

Of course, even if enough people did sign up to make Clear profitable, it would soon mean that the Clear lines would be very long -- and that would negate any reason to continue paying for it.

Clear was well used in ATL on Monday mornings - which are the worst time in the ATL airport. It's a sad loss for the otherwise poorly run ATL airport.

GUWonder Jun 23, 2009 5:22 am

Now only if the other TSA nonsense -- like that related to use of ID checks as part of supposed security checks -- also ceases.

GUWonder Jun 23, 2009 5:29 am


Originally Posted by Galla47 (Post 11952743)
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.

Customers won't be getting all of their customer data back even if they manage to get some or all of their money back.

To whom will customer data be sold?

Seminole_Kev Jun 23, 2009 5:44 am

Saw this story this morning. Good grief this stinks. I know there are a lot of people who hated this program, but for being based out of MCO (Orlando) it was a Godsend. This stinks. I don't care about the money, it was the time and reduced aggravation that made it worth while (at least out of Orlando).

Oh well. Back to 1 hour waits in security some days. Where did I put my bottle of whiskey.........

Justin026 Jun 23, 2009 5:47 am

Appreciate the right to put up the running comments from the negative posters, but am just not sure who they are actually speaking with. Might be a need for two threads, one for comment and one for consumer action, because it seems like we also need some posts on some important subjects:

* Strategies for having people get their money back. Clawing back on the credit card, both prior to and after the 60-day rule.

* Seeing how the company's core security function is managed -- protecting the data, including a restart.

Several groups need to be involved:

* Travel partners that promoted the program -- Delta and AirTran locally, for example.

* TSA. There is a program for certifying and monitoring these private screening companies and presumably their oversight will need to kick into action. The integrity of the security information, for example, is an issue for the government as much as the customers.

* Landlords (airport authorities).

* Identity of the "senior creditor" involved in this latest action with Clear. Hopefully, they are a going concern that has a responsibility to, at the least, have the shutdown occur smoothly.

* The role of the Privacy Ombudsman for CLEAR, who is a "Law Professor" named Paul Schwartz. Contact information for him.

*Clear's officers and their actions.

The role of all of the above parties to monitor that in some way that the company had a cashflow adequate for some period of forward operations is going to be an important issue.

GUWonder Jun 23, 2009 5:55 am


Originally Posted by seminole_kev (Post 11953800)
Saw this story this morning. Good grief this stinks. I know there are a lot of people who hated this program, but for being based out of MCO (Orlando) it was a Godsend. This stinks. I don't care about the money, it was the time and reduced aggravation that made it worth while (at least out of Orlando).

Oh well. Back to 1 hour waits in security some days. Where did I put my bottle of whiskey.........

Have you considered complaining to your Congressperson in the US House of Representatives and to your two US Senators about the situation out of MCO? They can help put pressure on the TSA to stop with the foolishness consumes passengers' time and produces aggravation when it comes to the security screening at the airport.

Justin026 Jun 23, 2009 6:05 am

I googled "Paul Schwartz privacy expert law professor." I will call the professor listed at Berkeley today and let you know what happens.

TomGCM Jun 23, 2009 6:25 am

I'm also based out of MCO and I can't begin to tell you how bad this is! Delta, PLEASE put up a Medallion line in Orlando!!! :mad:

emanon256 Jun 23, 2009 6:27 am

I have to say this is quite sad. I know many people flamed me when I talked about clear being good, but I still stand by it.

As someone who leaves for work every Sunday, it gave me an extra hour with my family each week. The lines at DEN can be quite long, even the frequent flier line can take 45 minutes or more during heavy travel times.

I am fortunate as I didn't renew yet, and only lost out on 4 months. But I feel really badly for those who paid to renew recently. Especially the poster who paid for two 3 year extensions.

Clear, you will be missed.

Spiff Jun 23, 2009 6:27 am


Originally Posted by Justin026 (Post 11953808)
Appreciate the right to put up the running comments from the negative posters, but am just not sure who they are actually speaking with. Might be a need for two threads, one for comment and one for consumer action, because it seems like we also need some posts on some important subjects:

* Strategies for having people get their money back. Clawing back on the credit card, both prior to and after the 60-day rule.

* Seeing how the company's core security function is managed -- protecting the data, including a restart.

Several groups need to be involved:

* Travel partners that promoted the program -- Delta and AirTran locally, for example.

* TSA. There is a program for certifying and monitoring these private screening companies and presumably their oversight will need to kick into action. The integrity of the security information, for example, is an issue for the government as much as the customers.

* Landlords (airport authorities).

* Identity of the "senior creditor" involved in this latest action with Clear. Hopefully, they are a going concern that has a responsibility to, at the least, have the shutdown occur smoothly.

* The role of the Privacy Ombudsman for CLEAR, who is a "Law Professor" named Paul Schwartz. Contact information for him.

*Clear's officers and their actions.

The role of all of the above parties to monitor that in some way that the company had a cashflow adequate for some period of forward operations is going to be an important issue.

These are all issues that you should have raised before being parted with your money and your personal information. @:-)

People should have been howling for TSA's blood, instead of handing over their money and their personal information.

gkbiiii Jun 23, 2009 6:43 am

Very Sad Day for Clear--Cease Operations
 
I really hate banks, Clear was a great company that had real need. Here in Orlando, Clear was a much enjoyed option, to the normal TSA process. I don't understand why the banks rather kill such an innovative business, rather than allow it to grow and prosper. Truly a sad day for all!!:mad::confused::eek:




Clear to Cease Operations
Dear George,

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.


Sincerely,
Clear Customer Support

Justin026 Jun 23, 2009 6:46 am


Originally Posted by Spiff (Post 11953941)
These are all issues that you should have raised before being parted with your money and your personal information. @:-)

People should have been howling for TSA's blood, instead of handing over their money and their personal information.

Read it in various posts above. Blood, swine and the kool-aid. Got it. Get it.

Now, do you like my list of next steps?

geckoflyer Jun 23, 2009 6:51 am

see: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ns-merged.html in TS&S


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