How biometrics can speed up the airport screening process
The busiest time for air travel in the United States is upon us. According to Mike England, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration, airports around the country have more flyers in the period from a few days before Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day than at any other time of the year.
The agency expects to screen an average of 2.4 million flyers a day during this period; the average at other times of the year is 2 million.
Enrolling in TSA’s PreCheck is one way to get through security faster, but Clear, a biometric screening program offered at 24 airports around the country, may speed up the process even more.
Here are some answers to questions about the program.
Q: What is Clear?
A: Caryn Seidman Becker, the company’s chief executive, said Clear uses biometric technology — either a scan of your fingerprints or an iris scan of your eye — to identify who you are and help you get through airport security quickly.
Biometrics is a technology that verifies a person’s identity through their fingerprints, facial features or other physical characteristics, according to Larry Studdiford, a security consultant for airports and the founder of Studdiford Technical Solutions, a security firm in Alexandria, Virginia.
Q: How does it work?
A: Once Clear members arrive at the airport, they go through a dedicated Clear lane to a pod where they either scan their fingerprints on a fingerprint reader or look at a camera that can read iris images.
Q: Where is it offered?
A: Clear is available at 24 domestic airports including Kennedy and La Guardia in New York, Miami International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Q: Where can I enroll?
A: Enrollment can be started online at clearme.com and then completed in person at the airport where Clear is offered.
Q: Does using Clear allow me to bypass TSA screening?
A: No, said England of the TSA. After passing through a Clear kiosk, members must still go through TSA screening. However, instead of heading to the end of the security line, members go directly to the TSA employee who checks their identification.
Q: Are Clear and the TSA connected?
A: No. Seidman Becker said Clear is an arrangement between the company and the airport.
Q: How many people are enrolled in Clear, and how does that number compare with TSA PreCheck?
A: More than 1.5 million people are enrolled in Clear, compared with the 15 million or so who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck.
Q: How much does it cost to sign up for Clear?
A: Anyone can try the program free for a month. Annual membership is $179. Each additional family member who is 18 or older can enroll for $50 while children under 18 can use Clear for free when accompanied by a parent who is a Clear member.
Q: Can I use Clear for both domestic and international travel? A: Yes.
Q: I heard that Delta Air Lines has a partnership with Clear. What does this partnership mean?
A: Delta SkyMiles members get a discount to use Clear: General SkyMiles members can enroll for $99 while Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members can enroll for $79. Diamond Medallion members receive free access to the program. In addition, Delta is working with Clear at Reagan Washington National Airport: Delta SkyMiles members who are enrolled in Clear can use their fingerprints instead of their boarding pass to board any Delta aircraft at the airport and to enter the Delta Sky Club lounge.
Q: But if I’m enrolled in Clear, do I still need a boarding pass at Reagan Airport if I’m not flying Delta? Also, do I need a boarding pass at other airports where Clear is available?
A: As of now, yes.
Q: Will Clear really help me get through security faster if I’m already enrolled in TSA PreCheck? A: Possibly, but it’s hard to say how much faster.