The Clear Registered Traveler program, which expedites the security-screening process for its members, has been in place at Orlando International Airport since July 19, 2005, and will expand to four more U.S. airports and possibly a Canadian airport in the near future.

Clear’s parent company, Manhattan-based Verified Identity Pass, Inc., developed the program in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and now has more than 30,000 members. Advance registration is now available for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), British Airways Terminal 7 of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC). No dates for implementation at these airports have yet been announced. Clear also has an agreement with Toronto Pearson International Airport to establish the program there, and is currently working with the Canadian government to gain its approval. The TSA has approved the expansion of the program to as many as 20 airports in North America. Denver (DIA), LAX and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) have all requested quotes from Verified Identity Pass for implementing the Clear program.

After completing an online registration, form, an applicant must bring two forms of government identification (e.g., a passport and driver’s license) to a Clear enrollment station at the airport where Clear uses biometric technology to take a picture of each member’s irises and record their fingerprints. Clear then submits all of this to TSA for approval. Once TSA runs a security threat assessment (i.e., background check) and gives Clear the go-ahead, each member is issued an ID card, which they present at the entrance to the Clear security lane. Members typically receive their cards two-to-four weeks after registration.

“Clear Lanes” are separate from the airport’s other security lines and are staffed with attendants to expedite the security check-in process. Clear members are exempt from automatic selectee screening, the process of randomly searching passengers. Clear members also have their own designated X-ray conveyor belt for their carry-on luggage.

The Clear check-in consisting of an ATM-like “dip” of the Clear card and a fingerprint or iris scan (whichever each member prefers), takes between one and three minutes. General Electric is a partner in the Clear program, and it has developed a new kiosk-still awaiting approval from TSA-that includes shoe scanning and explosive trace detection. If approved this would allow members to keep their shoes and coats on while passing through security.

Comment on this post below

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.