Clear security lanes storming back to airports, principled travelers high five one another
By Darren Murph 
posted May 5th 2010 10:16AM
posted May 5th 2010 10:16AM
CLEAR Acquired Out of Bankruptcy
New Owners to Reinstate and Honor Subscription Terms of Previous Members
Expects to be in Major Airports in the Fall 2010
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alclear, LLC today announced that it has acquired the assets of Verified Identity Pass Inc. out of bankruptcy protection. The Company plans to re-launch CLEAR, its biometric-based, secure Trusted Traveler program, in select major airports in the fall of 2010. Enrollment for new customers is expected to begin in the summer 2010 and the subscription terms of nearly 160,000 previous members will be honored.
"We are rebuilding CLEAR with our members and for our members. We are working to build our footprint and re-introduce the program. We look forward to partnering with airports nationwide, regulators and lawmakers to ensure CLEAR's success."
CLEAR is a secure biometric identification platform that pledges predictability, expedience, and service for its members through airport security. CLEAR will activate valuable privileges and amenities both locally and nationally for its customers. Pricing plans will include: $179.00 per year flat fee for unlimited use or a family plan, for an additional $50.00 on top of the unlimited plan.
"We are thrilled to re-launch CLEAR – a service with proven demand that will increase airport efficiency and security while delivering significant value to our customers," said Caryn Seidman-Becker, Chairman and CEO of CLEAR. "We are rebuilding CLEAR with our members and for our members. We are working to build our footprint and re-introduce the program. We look forward to partnering with airports nationwide, regulators and lawmakers to ensure CLEAR's success."
CLEAR's Board of Directors will include Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Craig Coy, former President and COO of L3 Communications' Homeland Security Group and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, and Robert LaPenta, Chairman, President and CEO of L-1 Identity Solutions. The Company is assembling a world class management team with significant experience in the aviation, marketing, and security industries.
About CLEAR
CLEAR, the original Registered Traveler program, will offer a biometric-based secure identification platform to deliver significant value for customers, increase predictability and enhance airport security. For more information please visit www.flyclear.com.
@tosvus Sorry, I wasn't clear. The security hole is with the "No Fly List" and the additional scrutiny for travelers meeting a certain profile. If someone was going to be flagged, they could find out ahead of time by signing up for the program.
Yeah! This is a great idea! I mean, lets spend millions of dollars making airports "safe." Only to give our cards that let you bypass all security. I mean, not like these cards could get lost, or people could be bribed, or that people ever change or anything. Great idea guys!
@PQ Maybe you should read the press-release? It uses biometric security which is in fact safter than some $8/hour TSA person checking out your drivers license. I'm absolutely positive you still have to go through a body scanner as well as your luggage being checked.
@PQ Read the press-release please. It's clearly biometric, which is safer than some $8/hr TSA employee glancing at your driver's license. There is no way the government would allow anyone to bypass body/luggage scanners either - this is just a speed lane.
Ah geez, I probably shouldn't even comment since I really don't have anything nice to say. It's like an amusement park, you get the "speed pass" and skip the lines...for a price. We're all so brainwashed with the idea that it's a wonderful convenience when in reality, it's an exploit. The results of 9/11 have made way too many people rich and we're complacent enough to contribute. Where's the contempt?
Ok, rant over. Whew!
This kind of scares me. I don't want this back.
this is great news i cant tell you how many times i been saved from missing a flight using clear. cant wait to reactivate my account
That Hajii that just tried to turn Times Square into a parking lot (FAIL) probably couldve cleared for one of these cards, so really, what's the point.
$179? Osama could never afford one of these.
Clear gave me cancer.
I travel a lot. With Clear I could cut to the front of the line. In front of old people. In front of pregnant ladies with two toddlers. In front of semi-homicidal sales drones. Every one of them projecting hate beams at me. The beams effect over time is causing cellular disintegration. But it was worth it.
Unless this system returns the freedoms to me that were supposedly guaranteed by the constitution... It's pointless.
I take 5-10 flights a month, and the security lines usually aren't THAT bad. what's ridiculous that I can't even take a small pocket knife or nail clippers, which are TOOLS by the way, not weapons! I could do a lot more harm with a hefty blunt object than a swiss army knife.
And it's really annoying to me that you can't even take a bottle of water or something... oh, unless you're a mother. Yeah, 'cause terrorists would never use children as a way to sneak in liquid explosives, riiight.