Clear shuffles through its last upstanding citizen, tells the rest to fall in line

Let's face it: no one digs long security lines at airports. But if you reckoned a healthy amount of folks would be willing to pay $128 per year in order to bypass said lines at only a few airports in the world, you'd be wrong. After launching with high hopes back in 2005, Clear has quietly folded after failing to "negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations." There's no word on what'll happen to existing paying customers, but we get the feeling they'll be directed towards a somewhat unpleasant creek sans a paddle. Or, you know, that poorly staffed lane to the left with 384 (give or take) cantankerous, shoeless travelers.

[Image courtesy of Airliners]

[Signal11 Posted Jun 23rd 2009 6:47PM]

My membership expired a few months ago and I got the big round of subscription emails in the past few weeks.

I didn't renew for two reasons. One, not flying much this year. Two, Clear was a 50/50 shot. Since I fly when the job needs me to fly, not when I want to, I couldn't plan to get to the Clear gates when they were open.

When they were staffed, it was great. It's just that they're not staffed and there weren't enough Clear gates.

Would be much nicer if they operated like the fast/secure traveler system for Schiphol/Amsterdam.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 4:12AM]

add another 3 months please!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 3:24PM]

I use to work for Clear up until they shut down on Monday and to be honest with everyone else the closing of the company came as much of a shocker to those who worked for Clear as to everyone else. We found out that they cease operations the day they decided to shut down, not because they told us but from the website. Nobody knew they were going bad but i guess now that i put all the signs together it was obvious that it was doomed for failure. The CEO of the company stepped down if February and i'm sure that was probably a big sign cause he probably knew that Clear was going to go downhill.What really sucks is that the past few months Clear has been pushing us to get members to renew and all of a sudden those people who renewed are out of $179. I don't know if it really makes a difference now but Clear offered a pro-rated refund on the months that are unused if people decide they don't want. Although the website says that they are unable to offer refunds at the moment, maybe someone can bring the fact that they did promise a pro-rated refund policy before they file for bankruptcy or something? hopefully for those who just renewed or joined in the recent months, i dunno?