Why was CLEAR closed at the airport?

The company said it was not able to negotiate a deal with its creditors. Late Monday, its Clear fast-lane security check service stopped operations abruptly. Some members received e-mail messages about the closing, while others found out at the airport when they discovered Clear lanes were cordoned off.



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CLEAR, which allows airline passengers to pay to be whisked through airport security checkpoints, is under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers following two previously unreported security incidents — including one where someone was able to go through security using a boarding pass they'd fished out of the trash.

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The service is currently available in 19 international and domestic airports: Amsterdam (AMS), Berlin (BER), Calgary (YYC), Denver (DEN), Edmonton (YEG), Frankfurt (FRA), Halifax (YHZ), Hannover (HAJ), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis (MSP), Montreal (YUL), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix (PHX), Rome ...

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Last year Clear (another U.S.-based security expediting platform that costs $189 per year) acquired virtual queuing company Whyline and has since partnered with airports in North America and Europe to develop a security line reservation system called Reserve by Clear.

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CLEAR is often faster than TSA PreCheck since it lets members verify their identity with biometrics instead of having them stand in line to show identification.

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You'll need to be 18 years or older to apply for Clear and must have one of the following forms of valid and unamended photo identification: A U.S. driver's license, a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a U.S.-issued permanent resident card, a state issued ID, a U.S. military ID, or a Global Entry card.

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In 2010, Caryn and Ken Cornick acquired CLEAR out of bankruptcy and have grown it into a global company with 50+ airport locations, hundreds of partners, and more than 16 million verified users nationwide. Ken Cornick is the President, CFO, and Co-Founder of CLEAR.

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You don't need TSA PreCheck if you have Clear, but you should know that having Clear alone only exempts you from the first part of the TSA security screening process, which is checking your boarding pass and ID. To save time and hassle at the physical security screening, you would need TSA PreCheck.

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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The short answer is that Clear allows members to verify their identity using biometric scanning ahead of airport security, whereas Global Entry expedites re-entry into the U.S. after international travel. Clear allows you to hurry through security lines faster at 50-plus airports around the United States.

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Whether or not Global Entry is worth it will depend on your personal situation. If all your travel is domestic, Global Entry may not fit your needs. But if you have international travel plans within the next five years, Global Entry can save you a lot of time at the airport.

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Can I bring a guest through CLEAR at airport? CLEAR members can add up to three adult family members to their account for just $60 each year.

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