Over the years I’ve been a pretty regular, if not “frequent”, traveler – business, pleasure, and blog. (I always fly coach but usually “upgrade” to exit row seating for a fee – which I expect to be fully refunded in the event I’m called upon to evacuate the plane.) When I learned of the Clear card program, enabling one to zip through airport security as pre-screened flier, I started weighing the options.
The annual fee (now up to $199) was an initial deterrent. But time is valuable and I’m impatient, ultimately figuring I’d recoup that expense if saving even just ten minutes at each airport security checkpoint.
The bigger issue was giving up my digital identity. The Clear program scans and archives all fingerprints and both irises, which are mated with your personal information. When I began the registration process, I was under the impression I was dealing with a government initiative (which would be rolled out to all major US airports). As it turns out, Clear is a TSA-blessed private sector company/program (that must negotiate space/service in each airport). I’m not sure if that made me more or less comfortable. But it is what it is and we all have our price. So I reluctantly allowed my biometric markers to be recorded in order to save a few minutes.
After having sporadically used the card/lane, I’m letting my Clear service lapse today. In reality, the actual TSA airport screening process is no quicker. You’re essentially paying for a Clear queue that’s significantly shorter. In fact, it’s often devoid of travelers. However, my most frequently utilized airport (Washington Dulles, IAD) provides a “Diamond” security lane (for “expert” travelers) nearby that’s also pretty efficient. Not to mention I often travel with others and will end up waiting for them one way or another. May as well be sociable in line. But my biggest beef with Clear has been the lack of new airport outposts. Most notably the Las Vegas and Florida airports I hit several times a year. (Anyone who’s stood around 90 minutes to pass through security at LAS during CES feels my pain.)
So my just concluded work trip to Wyoming is my last with Clear. Which raises the question: What happens to all that personally identifiable data? According to Clear:
When your account is cancelled for any reason, we will remove your personal information from our system automatically after 90 days. There are some limited exceptions. Our credit card processors require us to retain a record of the financial transactions we conduct for 24 months. This includes your name, credit card number, address, and email address, so we can notify you if the financial transaction is disputed. Also, a copy of your biometric information (but not your name) is retained by the Transportation Security Clearinghouse to prevent fraudulent enrollments under alternate identities.
Assuming the process works as described, some of my information will be removed. Although, much will be retained (by Clear and TSA) though decoupled. I’m not sure what this means but doubt there’s a significant risk of abuse. And there hasn’t been any as far as I know. However, I raise this discussion point as we become increasingly digital (along with the bad guys).