CLEAR Airport Verified Identity Pass calls it Quits

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I never understood the cost side of the biz model

I loved Clear. The time it saved me on frequent business travel easily paid for the annual fee.

But here is what I don't understand. Why invest millions of dollars in the biometric scanners and deal with the hassle and expense of securing the data when all you let people do is go to the front of the line and go through the same TSA security as everyone else?

It seems like the only reason for the machines was to verify that you were the person that paid the annual fee. If they let you straight through to the gate with no stop at TSA that would be one thing, but just letting you cut in line doesn't require such machines.

Here's a proposal for Clear 2.0: Give each paying member a number they can use like a frequent flyer number when they make their reservations. Partner with as many airlines as possible. When the airline prints the boarding pass, they check the number, and print a special bar code on the boarding pass. As an incentive, kick a percentage of the $100 annual fee back to the airlines for participating.

At the Clear 2.0 line the only special equipment is a bar code scanner to verify the code. Once scanned, the passenger proceeds to the front of the line. It's quick, easy, and much more scalable across airports and airlines at a much lower cost.

Every business traveler I know would pay $100/yr. for this streamlined service. The comments of travelers above are typical. Even if you have elite status on an airline or two, you always end up stuck in line several time a year when flying with someone else.

Posted by: vengroff@...   Posted on: 06/23/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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