TSA’s Speedy Line Program Gets Shut Down at 18 Airports

June 23, 2009 | Posted in: Security

Maybe you are one of those travelers that paid $200 for a year’s worth of speedy access through airport security, via the “Clear” program operated by Verified Identity Pass. If so, you’re out of luck. USA Today is reporting that Verified just went out of business. Its speedy lines are closed. Quick backgrounder: complaints about the long, slow lines at security prompted the TSA to create the Registered Traveler program – which was operated by private companies at 21 airports (and Verified had 18 of those airports). Travelers signed up, went through background checks, and then, after paying the fee, could breeze through an exclusive security line. But Verified, which dominated this business, ran into financial difficulties – and now these quick lines are available to Registered Travelers only at three airports – in Jacksonville, Louisville and Reno. No more zipping through Atlanta or Orlando or Dulles – those lines were run by Verified. So will you get your 200-bucks back? No. According to the Fly Clear website, “At the present time, because of its financial condition, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds.” But don’t forget – a lot of the airlines already offer “speedy” lines through security for elite miles members.

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One Response to “TSA’s Speedy Line Program Gets Shut Down at 18 Airports”

1. Dean Wright says:

   June 23, 2009 at 2:03 pm

   My take on the failure of Clear is that the program was not optimally marketed. First, as a frequent flyer myself, the only time I saw the program “advertised” was seeing the Clear contraption at those 18 airports (these 18 airports were not the best selections as it were). I’m not sure if the program was directly advertised to large businesses that could benefit from saving their executives time. If it wasn’t, the program should have. Second, the price was too low. Assuming there are 3 million business travelers (out of 35+mm in U.S.), that fly at least twice a month, that save 15 minutes of time with Clear, and that make $100k per year. Then $200 per year is a great deal from a time value/cost perspective. (6hr time saving X $60/hr = $360 time value is greater than the $200 cost). Further on price, the target users (or should have been) of Clear, the road warrior executive business folks, are not as price elastic as less frequent travelers/leisure travelers. Hence, Clear, in my estimate, could have gotten $500 to $750 per TARGETED user. If Clear would of charged this price, gone after the top 25 airports (2/3rds of all airport volume), and advertised to corporations/business travel magazines, Clear might still be around.