"'Clear' Airport Security Program Under Fire"

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

'Clear' Airport Security Program Under Fire
KNTV Ch 11 (NBC), San Francisco (CA)


People who pay about $100 a year to breeze through airport security may not
be getting their money's worth. 

Known as Clear, the relatively new program is in place at two Bay Area
airports. 

The idea behind the program is that its members would be able to avoid the
hassles that other travelers experience in the airport security lines.

The program, which took off earlier this year at Norm Mineta and San
Francisco International Airport, is like Fastrak for travelers. After paying
a $100 annual fee and passing a background check, travelers receive a
biometric identification card that gives them access to a special registered
traveler lane to avoid the long security lines.  

The New York Times reports that Clear has become more of a "go to the front
of the line" pass where members are basically treated just like everyone
else.

Registered Clear travelers must show their driver's license since the
biometric card doesn't have a photo on it. They are also still required to
take off their shoes for a security check. The Clear program has a special
electronic shoe scanner that's supposed to allow members to keep their shoes
on, but the Transportation Security Administration has yet to approve that
technology.

A representative at San Jose's Norm Mineta Airport told NBC11 News that he
has not heard any complaints about the program. The representative said
Clear travelers get through security in five minutes -- about 10 to 15
minutes faster than standard travelers.

On the web:
The Commodification of Airport Security Access
http://www.californiaaviation.org/weblog/2007/01/commodification-of-airport-
security

Click or paste the link to view the video:
Clear Users Not Satisfied With Product
http://video.nbc11.com/player/?id=189023


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************