Clear ceases operations & is back [merged threads]
Jun 23, 2009, 1:08 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
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
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
Jun 23, 2009, 2:09 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, UA 2P
Posts: 1,453
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...
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...
OUTRAGE
PS: Good luck getting new fingerprints.
Jun 23, 2009, 5:12 am
#78
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
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.
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.
Jun 23, 2009, 5:22 am
#79
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Now only if the other TSA nonsense -- like that related to use of ID checks as part of supposed security checks -- also ceases.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jun 23, 2009 at 5:59 am
Jun 23, 2009, 5:29 am
#80
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
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.
To whom will customer data be sold?
Jun 23, 2009, 5:44 am
#81
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 628
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.........
Oh well. Back to 1 hour waits in security some days. Where did I put my bottle of whiskey.........
Jun 23, 2009, 5:47 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
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.
* 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.
Jun 23, 2009, 5:55 am
#83
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
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.........
Oh well. Back to 1 hour waits in security some days. Where did I put my bottle of whiskey.........
Jun 23, 2009, 6:05 am
#84
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
I googled "Paul Schwartz privacy expert law professor." I will call the professor listed at Berkeley today and let you know what happens.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:25 am
#85
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: MCO
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Delta Plat
Posts: 6
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!!!
Jun 23, 2009, 6:27 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
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.
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.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:27 am
#87
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
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.
* 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.
People should have been howling for TSA's blood, instead of handing over their money and their personal information.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:43 am
#88
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Programs: AA Plat, Sixt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Avis First, Caesars TR Diamond, Mlife Gold
Posts: 4,928
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!!
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
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
Jun 23, 2009, 6:46 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL DM & 5MM, WN
Posts: 1,451
Now, do you like my list of next steps?