Comments on: Clear, aka the "TSA fast pass," shuts down http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 02:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: benenglish http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524044 benenglish Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524044 Too bad for a few folks. One of the training companies used extensively by my employer is headquartered in Florida. All of their staff signed up for Clear and said it was worthless pretty much everywhere EXCEPT Orlando. There, seasoned travelers frequently found themselves in line behind hundreds of Disney-vacationing families with little kids, families unused to flying and doing everything wrong while still trying to herd the ankle-biters. It was supposedly a nightmare. For that airport and that airport alone, those guys thought Clear was a godsend. Everywhere else? Their attitude was...meh. Too bad for a few folks. One of the training companies used extensively by my employer is headquartered in Florida. All of their staff signed up for Clear and said it was worthless pretty much everywhere EXCEPT Orlando. There, seasoned travelers frequently found themselves in line behind hundreds of Disney-vacationing families with little kids, families unused to flying and doing everything wrong while still trying to herd the ankle-biters. It was supposedly a nightmare. For that airport and that airport alone, those guys thought Clear was a godsend.

Everywhere else? Their attitude was…meh.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524048 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524048 the "second baby turkey" line made me smile. thanks Xeni! the “second baby turkey” line made me smile.

thanks Xeni!

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524052 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524052 +1, I can imagine. Don't get me wrong, I hate the TSA lines, hatehatehate the screening process and the sad, wasteful inefficiency by design. But this thing was doomed to epic fail. +1, I can imagine. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the TSA lines, hatehatehate the screening process and the sad, wasteful inefficiency by design. But this thing was doomed to epic fail.

]]> By: Selectee http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-540184 Selectee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-540184 Another TSA whizbang idea bites the dust. This agency really needs to be reduced in size to the bare minimum needed to handle the checkpoint searches at airport concourses. Everything else is mission creep. Selectee http://www.thousandsstandingaround.org Another TSA whizbang idea bites the dust. This agency really needs to be reduced in size to the bare minimum needed to handle the checkpoint searches at airport concourses. Everything else is mission creep.

Selectee
http://www.thousandsstandingaround.org

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524062 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524062 <a href="http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/">I prefer this Steve Brill</a>. I prefer this Steve Brill.

]]> By: paulj http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524066 paulj Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524066 This was based on a serious misreading of the market. At most airports, the quickest way through security is by using a frequent flyer-only line. They're almost always shorter and the people in these lines know the drill better than the once-a-year vacationers. Only a frequent flyer would bother with Clear, and if wasn't available at every major airport, what's the point? This was based on a serious misreading of the market. At most airports, the quickest way through security is by using a frequent flyer-only line. They’re almost always shorter and the people in these lines know the drill better than the once-a-year vacationers. Only a frequent flyer would bother with Clear, and if wasn’t available at every major airport, what’s the point?

]]> By: DWittSF http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524070 DWittSF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524070 Here's an idea, lets rewind the TSA to pre-9/11. Are we really any safer due to the post 9/11 security theater we've been subjected to? Here’s an idea, lets rewind the TSA to pre-9/11. Are we really any safer due to the post 9/11 security theater we’ve been subjected to?

]]> By: Chris Spurgeon http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524337 Chris Spurgeon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524337 Good riddance. I remember when I first saw an ad for Clear (on Boing Boing of all places) I assumed it *had* to be a parody by the Yes Men or something. I now look forward to former Clear card holders being immediately behind large slow-moving families like the rest of us. I hope they complain about how they used to be Clear members, so I can point at them and laugh. Good riddance. I remember when I first saw an ad for Clear (on Boing Boing of all places) I assumed it *had* to be a parody by the Yes Men or something. I now look forward to former Clear card holders being immediately behind large slow-moving families like the rest of us. I hope they complain about how they used to be Clear members, so I can point at them and laugh.

]]> By: gobo http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524089 gobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524089 Clear, as an idea, was pretty cool -- pre-registering with the TSA, essentially, and walking through without any of the shoe-removing pants-frisking ridiculousness. They'd even meet you in the lobby and waltz you through. But with their slow adoption nationwide, how many people really needed to pay that much to save a few minutes and feel like big kahunas in the airport? Clear, as an idea, was pretty cool — pre-registering with the TSA, essentially, and walking through without any of the shoe-removing pants-frisking ridiculousness. They’d even meet you in the lobby and waltz you through. But with their slow adoption nationwide, how many people really needed to pay that much to save a few minutes and feel like big kahunas in the airport?

]]> By: sworm http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524090 sworm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524090 Yes we're safer. Terrorists attempting to hijack a plane now would get so annoyed waiting for sweaty fat people who seem to have metal objects hidden all over their person that they give up and go home instead of going through the ritual. I mean, you can buy a ceramic blade for under 10$, but why bother when you have to be fondled by an alcoholic with acne and halitosis before you even get to stab anyone. (I don't wish to apologize in advance to anyone who thinks the above rant is in bad taste) Yes we’re safer.

Terrorists attempting to hijack a plane now would get so annoyed waiting for sweaty fat people who seem to have metal objects hidden all over their person that they give up and go home instead of going through the ritual.

I mean, you can buy a ceramic blade for under 10$, but why bother when you have to be fondled by an alcoholic with acne and halitosis before you even get to stab anyone.

(I don’t wish to apologize in advance to anyone who thinks the above rant is in bad taste)

]]> By: WA http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524096 WA Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524096 Like many things having to do with air travel, uncertain and limited availability probably hurt this significantly. There are many other examples of this problem in the industry, like in-flight wireless connections and power outlets. Why should I bother buying and bringing along a special adapter for my laptop if I can't know beforehand whether the planes I'll be flying on will actually work with them? How can I seriously use a wireless connection if I can't rely on the plane having that feature? In the same way, why would I go through the hassle of getting a card like this if I couldn't know whether it would be useful on the flights I might decide to take? $99 a year would be a very low price for being able to skip lines and annoying security procedures, but not for being able to only unreliably do so. Like many things having to do with air travel, uncertain and limited availability probably hurt this significantly.

There are many other examples of this problem in the industry, like in-flight wireless connections and power outlets. Why should I bother buying and bringing along a special adapter for my laptop if I can’t know beforehand whether the planes I’ll be flying on will actually work with them? How can I seriously use a wireless connection if I can’t rely on the plane having that feature?

In the same way, why would I go through the hassle of getting a card like this if I couldn’t know whether it would be useful on the flights I might decide to take? $99 a year would be a very low price for being able to skip lines and annoying security procedures, but not for being able to only unreliably do so.

]]> By: certron http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524097 certron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524097 Who would have thought I could use this screenshot more than once? I don't think I'll get another chance... http://www.semimajor.net/img/bb_airportsecurity_clear.jpg Was there any sort of remediation program in case you lost your card? I mean, it has your name on it and some information on the chip... I guess they took care of that risk by losing the 33,000 name laptop, though. Who would have thought I could use this screenshot more than once? I don’t think I’ll get another chance…

http://www.semimajor.net/img/bb_airportsecurity_clear.jpg

Was there any sort of remediation program in case you lost your card? I mean, it has your name on it and some information on the chip… I guess they took care of that risk by losing the 33,000 name laptop, though.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524100 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524100 Bruce Schneier already pointed this out: the problem with pre-9/11 in-flight security was resolved with the addition of locked & armored cabin doors. The rest is theatre, and Clear was just privileged box seats. <yawn> Bruce Schneier already pointed this out: the problem with pre-9/11 in-flight security was resolved with the addition of locked & armored cabin doors. The rest is theatre, and Clear was just privileged box seats.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524101 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524101 Hopefully now that more “politically powerful” travellers are inconvenienced like the rest of us by the TSA, we’ll start seeing more pressure to end the ridiculous shoes-off, computers-unprotected, no-liquids theatre and start providing actual security. (Not that I’m particularly hopeful in that regard since congress is busy introducing bills to <a href="http://consumerist.com/5298134/bill-would-boost-the-size-of-carry+on-bags-charge-tsa-with-enforcement">make the TSA our national carry-on bag size enforcers</a>. Sigh.) Hopefully now that more “politically powerful” travellers are inconvenienced like the rest of us by the TSA, we’ll start seeing more pressure to end the ridiculous shoes-off, computers-unprotected, no-liquids theatre and start providing actual security. (Not that I’m particularly hopeful in that regard since congress is busy introducing bills to make the TSA our national carry-on bag size enforcers. Sigh.)

]]> By: philipb http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524103 philipb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524103 Am I missing something? This was a private company? After spending billions on the TSA we are farming security back out to contractors? Am I missing something? This was a private company? After spending billions on the TSA we are farming security back out to contractors?

]]> By: Iru http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524364 Iru Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524364 Lol, from "innocent until proven guilty" to "Guilty unless we say so and provide proof of it". The laaaand of the freeeeee ..... Lol, from “innocent until proven guilty” to “Guilty unless we say so and provide proof of it”.
The laaaand of the freeeeee …..

]]> By: semiotix http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524114 semiotix Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524114 I vaguely remember <i>Brill's Content</i> as being a decent enough idea, maybe ahead of its time in promoting the "ALL MEDIA SUXX0RS" theme that blogs took and ran with. I hadn't realized it had folded. Hell, it doesn't even have a Wikipedia page! Now THAT'S defunct. I vaguely remember Brill’s Content as being a decent enough idea, maybe ahead of its time in promoting the “ALL MEDIA SUXX0RS” theme that blogs took and ran with. I hadn’t realized it had folded. Hell, it doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page! Now THAT’S defunct.

]]> By: Scott Bieser http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524115 Scott Bieser Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524115 Once upon a time, I loved flying, I loved airports. The metal detectors installed in the '70s were a bit of a nuisance but were tolerable. Now I hate the whole degrading scene. I only fly when I absolutely have to for business, and "have to" means traveling more than 1200 miles. Once upon a time, I loved flying, I loved airports. The metal detectors installed in the ’70s were a bit of a nuisance but were tolerable. Now I hate the whole degrading scene. I only fly when I absolutely have to for business, and “have to” means traveling more than 1200 miles.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524121 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524121 I fly about every week for work and I have a Clear membership. My home airport is Denver, which had three Clear lanes. It has saved me so much time in the last two years. Sometimes the freq flyer line is very long, and the traffic management mixes everyone together, so it can be a pain to get behind a family or elderly people. What I want to know is if I get any of my membership money back. Previously if you canceled, you were entitled to a pro-rated rebate of unused time. I fly about every week for work and I have a Clear membership. My home airport is Denver, which had three Clear lanes. It has saved me so much time in the last two years. Sometimes the freq flyer line is very long, and the traffic management mixes everyone together, so it can be a pain to get behind a family or elderly people.
What I want to know is if I get any of my membership money back. Previously if you canceled, you were entitled to a pro-rated rebate of unused time.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524135 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524135 I haven't gotten on a plane since 9/11, and don't plan to. Even on Greyhound four or five years ago they made a show of looking in everybody's bags, even though the poor security guards obviously didn't care what was actually in there. And the buses still picked people up off the highway at regular rural stops with no security whatsoever. I haven’t gotten on a plane since 9/11, and don’t plan to. Even on Greyhound four or five years ago they made a show of looking in everybody’s bags, even though the poor security guards obviously didn’t care what was actually in there. And the buses still picked people up off the highway at regular rural stops with no security whatsoever.

]]> By: bobhughes http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524144 bobhughes Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524144 ahhhhahahahahah!! that's what those smug bastards get for so willingly exchanging their money and liberty to avoid waiting in the same line as the rest of us rabble. schadenfreude aside, i do feel alot safer now that this risky & deeply flawed program is history. ahhhhahahahahah!! that’s what those smug bastards get for so willingly exchanging their money and liberty to avoid waiting in the same line as the rest of us rabble.

schadenfreude aside, i do feel alot safer now that this risky & deeply flawed program is history.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524147 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524147 gee, think how much money they would have saved if they had listened to say, Cory at the beginning - instead of forging ahead lining the pockets of their buddies and screwing the public. Why, it's almost as if they were stupid AND corrupt. gee, think how much money they would have saved if they had listened to say, Cory at the beginning – instead of forging ahead lining the pockets of their buddies and screwing the public. Why, it’s almost as if they were stupid AND corrupt.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524150 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524150 running out of money EVERYWHERE! http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/22/report-dhs-to-end-use-of-satellites-for-domestic-spying/ running out of money EVERYWHERE!
http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/22/report-dhs-to-end-use-of-satellites-for-domestic-spying/

]]> By: subliminati http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524926 subliminati Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524926 I'm glad this bullshit service is finally gone. The idea that some people should be able to pay to circumvent security measures we have all been told are necessary while the rest of us poor bastards stand around in our socks was ridiculous and pissed me off every time I saw it. Fuck whatever private company was running this horrible scheme, fuck the TSA, and especially fuck the administrative bureaucrats that allowed a private company to profit from their retarded, useless regulations. Good riddance. I’m glad this bullshit service is finally gone. The idea that some people should be able to pay to circumvent security measures we have all been told are necessary while the rest of us poor bastards stand around in our socks was ridiculous and pissed me off every time I saw it.

Fuck whatever private company was running this horrible scheme, fuck the TSA, and especially fuck the administrative bureaucrats that allowed a private company to profit from their retarded, useless regulations.

Good riddance.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524166 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524166 Hate the system (which I agree is hugely flawed), but calling us businessfolk who happily traded some money + *theoretical* privacy problems for real time savings "foolish"... well, that's just foolish. Unless you smug ne'er-Clear-carried folks avoid credit cards, have somehow managed to never have your info show up in Equifax, have never procured a passport (yes, the gov't has misplaced your information, too)... well, then please chill out with your tut-tut'ing. Hate the system (which I agree is hugely flawed), but calling us businessfolk who happily traded some money + *theoretical* privacy problems for real time savings “foolish”… well, that’s just foolish.

Unless you smug ne’er-Clear-carried folks avoid credit cards, have somehow managed to never have your info show up in Equifax, have never procured a passport (yes, the gov’t has misplaced your information, too)… well, then please chill out with your tut-tut’ing.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524431 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524431 I used to work for Brill at American Lawyer Media as an editor. This is classic Brill: an almost-elite idea that appeals to snobs and the nouveau riche while the truly wealth have already moved on. First class is so passe, you still have to pass the security checkpoints and breathe the same air as the hoi polloi. Charter a jet, invite some friends or bring along your posse and it's only a little more expensive than first class, and you can avoid all those little annoyances. I used to work for Brill at American Lawyer Media as an editor. This is classic Brill: an almost-elite idea that appeals to snobs and the nouveau riche while the truly wealth have already moved on. First class is so passe, you still have to pass the security checkpoints and breathe the same air as the hoi polloi. Charter a jet, invite some friends or bring along your posse and it’s only a little more expensive than first class, and you can avoid all those little annoyances.

]]> By: Chris Spurgeon http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524687 Chris Spurgeon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524687 Setting aside the "business travellers are the driving force of the American economy" bollocks, the thing that always bugged me about Clear is that it just smacked of one buying their way out of the stooopid security theater that's being foisted on the rest of us. And that just seemed inherently unfair to me on an admittedly emotional level. At least now we're all in the airport security thing together again. And now that the former Clear member titans of industry are back in the cattle pens with the rest of us, maybe they'll add their voices to the rest of us who believe that the post 9/11 airport security procedures are doing little or nothing to make any of us any safer, and it's time to dial things back to a more rational security view, saving ALL of us time and money. Setting aside the “business travellers are the driving force of the American economy” bollocks, the thing that always bugged me about Clear is that it just smacked of one buying their way out of the stooopid security theater that’s being foisted on the rest of us. And that just seemed inherently unfair to me on an admittedly emotional level. At least now we’re all in the airport security thing together again. And now that the former Clear member titans of industry are back in the cattle pens with the rest of us, maybe they’ll add their voices to the rest of us who believe that the post 9/11 airport security procedures are doing little or nothing to make any of us any safer, and it’s time to dial things back to a more rational security view, saving ALL of us time and money.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524693 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524693 I was a member for 2 years. I travel every week via San Jose Airport. Wait times there have improved a bit over the past year but prior to that, the wait was horrid, esp during the evening rush. My airline of necessity (southwest) had no vip lane until recently. The security theater wait was typically 30 to 45 minutes and having the clear card allowed me to work those extra minutes every week rather then spend them in line. At a cost of $2 a week, this was an easy purchase. My employere was happy about their return on investment. I did not renew when the lines got shorter (securlty capacity was increased via 2 extra x-ray machines and many travelers learned the drill)and SW added a VIP lane. I was a member for 2 years. I travel every week via San Jose Airport. Wait times there have improved a bit over the past year but prior to that, the wait was horrid, esp during the evening rush. My airline of necessity (southwest) had no vip lane until recently. The security theater wait was typically 30 to 45 minutes and having the clear card allowed me to work those extra minutes every week rather then spend them in line. At a cost of $2 a week, this was an easy purchase. My employere was happy about their return on investment.

I did not renew when the lines got shorter (securlty capacity was increased via 2 extra x-ray machines and many travelers learned the drill)and SW added a VIP lane.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524190 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524190 After missing a recent flight due to a shockingly long security line and getting stuck overnight in Chicago, and with a flurry of flying coming up, I decided last week to give Clear's $89 six-month signup a try. It was a pretty simple economic decision, notwithstanding with my cleanroom-grade cleanliness and very rare last name which gives me +20 protection from getting confused with a similarly-named evildoer. Got my irises scanned last Wednesday on the way to Denver. Got my "Approved!" email this evening at 7:40. Got the "Ceased operations" email 153 minutes later at 10:13. So I guess no one there saw it coming? Think I'll get my money back? After missing a recent flight due to a shockingly long security line and getting stuck overnight in Chicago, and with a flurry of flying coming up, I decided last week to give Clear’s $89 six-month signup a try. It was a pretty simple economic decision, notwithstanding with my cleanroom-grade cleanliness and very rare last name which gives me +20 protection from getting confused with a similarly-named evildoer.

Got my irises scanned last Wednesday on the way to Denver. Got my “Approved!” email this evening at 7:40. Got the “Ceased operations” email 153 minutes later at 10:13. So I guess no one there saw it coming? Think I’ll get my money back?

]]> By: Ahoj http://boingboing.net/2009/06/22/clear-aka-the-tsa-fa.html#comment-524196 Ahoj Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-524196 I actually was flying today and overheard a TSA guy tell 2 passengers that the program was discontinued at denver at 4pm MNT (they had arrived at 4:30 so missed being able to use it.) I laughed since they had to wait in the 1/2 hour long security line. (and then shook my fist at the first class bourgeoisie who got through in 5 minuets in their already separate line) but seriously, none of the security measures do much. they are just for show for about 5 of the hundreds of people waiting in line. get over it. there are more dangerous ways to cause problems in America that are being overlooked. I actually was flying today and overheard a TSA guy tell 2 passengers that the program was discontinued at denver at 4pm MNT (they had arrived at 4:30 so missed being able to use it.)

I laughed since they had to wait in the 1/2 hour long security line. (and then shook my fist at the first class bourgeoisie who got through in 5 minuets in their already separate line)

but seriously, none of the security measures do much. they are just for show for about 5 of the hundreds of people waiting in line. get over it. there are more dangerous ways to cause problems in America that are being overlooked.

]]>