Comments on: Clear In The DeadPool. So Much For Zipping Through Airport Security http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:13:35 -0800 hourly 1 By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="1042365571">Mark Freedman</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2827059 Mark Freedman Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:47:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2827059 Was working last night at Orlando International, and there was a small sign at the security zone noting the demise of FlyClear and all their scanning devices had been removed. Feel bad for all the FlyClear employees and Orlando is not a particular good place to be hunting for a new job. Was working last night at Orlando International, and there was a small sign at the security zone noting the demise of FlyClear and all their scanning devices had been removed. Feel bad for all the FlyClear employees and Orlando is not a particular good place to be hunting for a new job.

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2824262 Mark Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:54:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2824262 I just received the following from Clear today: --- Clear Member Update Dear [removed], In response to questions raised by our members, Clear would like to offer the following information: Clear Lanes Are No Longer Available. At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear ceased operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc., was unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations. Verified Identity Pass regrets that Clear will not be able to continue operations. How is Clear securing personal information? Clear stands by our commitment to protect our customer's personally identifiable information - including fingerprints, iris images, photos, names, addresses, credit card numbers and other personal information provided to us - and to keep the privacy promises that we have made. Information is secured in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration's Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards. How is Clear securing any information at the airports? Each hard disk at the airport, including the enrollment and verification kiosks, has now been wiped clean of all data and software. The triple wipe process we used automatically and completely overwrites the contents of the entire disk, including the operating system, the data and the file structure. This process also prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis. How is Clear securing any information in central databases and corporate systems? Lockheed Martin is the lead systems integrator for Clear, and is currently working with Verified Identity Pass, Inc. to ensure an orderly shutdown as the program closes. As Verified Identity Pass, Inc. and the Transportation Security Administration work through this process, Lockheed Martin remains committed to protecting the privacy of individuals' personal information provided for the Clear Registered Traveler program. Lockheed's work will also remain consistent with the Transportation Security Administration's federal requirements and the enhanced security and privacy requirements of Verified Identity Pass, Inc. The computers that Verified Identity Pass, Inc. assigned to its former corporate employees are being wiped using the same process described for computers at the airports. Will personally identifiable information be sold? The personally identifiable information that customers provided to Clear may not be used for any purpose other than a Registered Traveler program operated by a Transportation Security Administration authorized service provider. Any new service provider would need to maintain personally identifiable information in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration's privacy and security requirements for Registered Traveler programs. If the information is not used for a Registered Traveler program, it will be deleted. How will members be notified when information is deleted? Clear intends to notify members in a final email message when the information is deleted. Who is monitoring this process? Clear is communicating with TSA, airport and airline sponsors, and subcontractors, to ensure that the security of the information and systems is maintained throughout the closure process. Clear thanks these partners for their continuing cooperation and diligence. How can I contact Clear? Please visit our website, www.flyclear.com, for the latest updates. Clear's call center and customer support email service are no longer available. Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear? At the present time, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds due to the company's financial condition. Has Verified Identity Pass, Inc. filed for bankruptcy? At the present time, Verified Identity Pass has not commenced any proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code. Clear Customer Service Clear, 600 Third Avenue 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016 www.flyclear.com I just received the following from Clear today:

—
Clear Member Update

Dear [removed],

In response to questions raised by our members, Clear would like to offer the following information:

Clear Lanes Are No Longer Available.

At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear ceased operations. Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc., was unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations. Verified Identity Pass regrets that Clear will not be able to continue operations.

How is Clear securing personal information?

Clear stands by our commitment to protect our customer’s personally identifiable information – including fingerprints, iris images, photos, names, addresses, credit card numbers and other personal information provided to us – and to keep the privacy promises that we have made. Information is secured in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration’s Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards.

How is Clear securing any information at the airports?

Each hard disk at the airport, including the enrollment and verification kiosks, has now been wiped clean of all data and software. The triple wipe process we used automatically and completely overwrites the contents of the entire disk, including the operating system, the data and the file structure. This process also prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis.

How is Clear securing any information in central databases and corporate systems?

Lockheed Martin is the lead systems integrator for Clear, and is currently working with Verified Identity Pass, Inc. to ensure an orderly shutdown as the program closes. As Verified Identity Pass, Inc. and the Transportation Security Administration work through this process, Lockheed Martin remains committed to protecting the privacy of individuals’ personal information provided for the Clear Registered Traveler program. Lockheed’s work will also remain consistent with the Transportation Security Administration’s federal requirements and the enhanced security and privacy requirements of Verified Identity Pass, Inc.

The computers that Verified Identity Pass, Inc. assigned to its former corporate employees are being wiped using the same process described for computers at the airports.

Will personally identifiable information be sold?

The personally identifiable information that customers provided to Clear may not be used for any purpose other than a Registered Traveler program operated by a Transportation Security Administration authorized service provider. Any new service provider would need to maintain personally identifiable information in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration’s privacy and security requirements for Registered Traveler programs. If the information is not used for a Registered Traveler program, it will be deleted.

How will members be notified when information is deleted?

Clear intends to notify members in a final email message when the information is deleted.

Who is monitoring this process?

Clear is communicating with TSA, airport and airline sponsors, and subcontractors, to ensure that the security of the information and systems is maintained throughout the closure process. Clear thanks these partners for their continuing cooperation and diligence.

How can I contact Clear?

Please visit our website, http://www.flyclear.com, for the latest updates. Clear’s call center and customer support email service are no longer available.

Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear?

At the present time, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds due to the company’s financial condition.

Has Verified Identity Pass, Inc. filed for bankruptcy?

At the present time, Verified Identity Pass has not commenced any proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code.

Clear Customer Service

Clear, 600 Third Avenue 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016
http://www.flyclear.com

]]> By: Anony http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2822779 Anony Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:11:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2822779 If purchased in the last 90 days, call your credit card company for a refund... If purchased in the last 90 days, call your credit card company for a refund…

]]> By: Marc Samuels http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2818683 Marc Samuels Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:22:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2818683 That is a ridiculous thought... these guys were given 44 million and pissed through it pretty fast without showing they can recoup the money for the investors. They only had one method for making money as opposed to multiple revenue streams and they were very short sighted in how they worked with their small consumer base. Add to this that the application savings is based on when and where you travel from or their is, or was, no reason to join and you have a potential disaster. That is a ridiculous thought… these guys were given 44 million and pissed through it pretty fast without showing they can recoup the money for the investors. They only had one method for making money as opposed to multiple revenue streams and they were very short sighted in how they worked with their small consumer base. Add to this that the application savings is based on when and where you travel from or their is, or was, no reason to join and you have a potential disaster.

]]> By: Bengoshi http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817911 Bengoshi Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:18:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817911 Oh please, spare us. "Sheer arrogance"? Every time someone pays extra for different treatment its sheer arrogance? I guess life is only fair if everyone is equally inconvenienced. Brother Oh please, spare us. “Sheer arrogance”? Every time someone pays extra for different treatment its sheer arrogance? I guess life is only fair if everyone is equally inconvenienced. Brother

]]> By: Clear In The DeadPool. So Much For Zipping Through Airport Security | Saving Money News http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817853 Clear In The DeadPool. So Much For Zipping Through Airport Security | Saving Money News Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:42:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817853 [...] here to see the original: Clear In The DeadPool. So Much For Zipping Through Airport Security Share and [...] [...] here to see the original: Clear In The DeadPool. So Much For Zipping Through Airport Security Share and [...]

]]> By: TripIt Goes Pro, Launches Premium Flight Monitoring And Alerts | Design Website http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817722 TripIt Goes Pro, Launches Premium Flight Monitoring And Alerts | Design Website Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:10:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817722 [...] a way to take the burden out of flying, and now that they’ll no longer be able to pay $199 to skip airport security lines, this might prove a good alternative for reducing those headaches. [...] [...] a way to take the burden out of flying, and now that they’ll no longer be able to pay $199 to skip airport security lines, this might prove a good alternative for reducing those headaches. [...]

]]> By: Roger http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817709 Roger Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:02:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817709 I 100% agree with Mark. Incredibly simple for TSA to have an express lane that you pay for - $20, cash only -- if you want to get thru faster. I'd pay every bloody time. They'd make a boat-load of cash that (assuming the staff didn't pocket it) could be spent on more x-ray machines and magnetometers. Of course, the objection will be "oh, no, 9/11 was a national trauma, we're all in this together, it's not fair if the more affluent get to avoid the lines...". That's B/S of course, but that's what the whiners will say. I 100% agree with Mark. Incredibly simple for TSA to have an express lane that you pay for – $20, cash only — if you want to get thru faster. I’d pay every bloody time. They’d make a boat-load of cash that (assuming the staff didn’t pocket it) could be spent on more x-ray machines and magnetometers. Of course, the objection will be “oh, no, 9/11 was a national trauma, we’re all in this together, it’s not fair if the more affluent get to avoid the lines…”. That’s B/S of course, but that’s what the whiners will say.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="1042365571">Mark Freedman</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817639 Mark Freedman Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:20:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817639 Working at Orlando International, it was clear to me that Fly Clear was going to bust. In exchange for giving up a substantial amount of personal information and a hefty amount of cash, you were allowed to use the same exact security line as the airport employees and disabled passengers. The difference being that a disabled passengers gets to bring traveling friends and family with them while the Fly clear passenger is SOL if they happen to be traveling with a family member, friend, or business associate(s) that doesn't have the card. So the only time you got a payoff was if the regular lines were long and you were traveling solo, or with other Fly Clear card holders. Also, on the return trip, the card was useless unless you happened to be at another Fly Clear airport. Working near the security zone, it was rare to see more than a handful of Clear passengers in any given hour. What TSA should do is offer up an express lane that's opened during peak times and charges $20.00 a pop to use if people are in a hurry - keep it simple. Working at Orlando International, it was clear to me that Fly Clear was going to bust. In exchange for giving up a substantial amount of personal information and a hefty amount of cash, you were allowed to use the same exact security line as the airport employees and disabled passengers. The difference being that a disabled passengers gets to bring traveling friends and family with them while the Fly clear passenger is SOL if they happen to be traveling with a family member, friend, or business associate(s) that doesn’t have the card. So the only time you got a payoff was if the regular lines were long and you were traveling solo, or with other Fly Clear card holders. Also, on the return trip, the card was useless unless you happened to be at another Fly Clear airport. Working near the security zone, it was rare to see more than a handful of Clear passengers in any given hour. What TSA should do is offer up an express lane that’s opened during peak times and charges $20.00 a pop to use if people are in a hurry – keep it simple.

]]> By: jennifer http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817473 jennifer Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:14:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817473 I was an early adopter of the Clear service and loved it. My initial membership was only $99 and worth it, $199 was a bit high but still worth it when my travel schedule was going to be full. It made a huge difference in both my travel time and stress levels. I recommended the service to many of my colleagues and they loved it as well (plus I got extensions on my account for the referrals). The airport reps were always kind and courteous making the start of many a trip much more positive. I expect the shut down was not a pleasant process as employees and subscribers both were caught by surprise. Yes, the lines have been shorter as of late, and the slowdown of airport expansion was disappointing, but nevertheless, I was saddened to hear the news and will miss the service, especially now that I am back to weekly flights. I was an early adopter of the Clear service and loved it. My initial membership was only $99 and worth it, $199 was a bit high but still worth it when my travel schedule was going to be full. It made a huge difference in both my travel time and stress levels. I recommended the service to many of my colleagues and they loved it as well (plus I got extensions on my account for the referrals). The airport reps were always kind and courteous making the start of many a trip much more positive. I expect the shut down was not a pleasant process as employees and subscribers both were caught by surprise. Yes, the lines have been shorter as of late, and the slowdown of airport expansion was disappointing, but nevertheless, I was saddened to hear the news and will miss the service, especially now that I am back to weekly flights.

]]> By: Lorenzo http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817455 Lorenzo Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:03:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817455 Another board reports that this is the creditor. You might want to verify before bombarding them with questions. Spark Capital 137 Newbury St. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02116 Another board reports that this is the creditor. You might want to verify before bombarding them with questions.

Spark Capital
137 Newbury St.
8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116

]]> By: DT http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817371 DT Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:19:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817371 You poor man. You poor man.

]]> By: jimmy http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817346 jimmy Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:10:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817346 why don't we all just get fingerprinted and iris scanned? Then the whole thing will go faster. Until some douche forgets he has a can opener in his carry-on. PS - why can I carry-on a Pelican Case of hard drives, laptops, cables, batteries, and camera equipment, but can't get a damn Aquafina through? why don’t we all just get fingerprinted and iris scanned? Then the whole thing will go faster. Until some douche forgets he has a can opener in his carry-on.

PS – why can I carry-on a Pelican Case of hard drives, laptops, cables, batteries, and camera equipment, but can’t get a damn Aquafina through?

]]> By: David VanMiddlesworth http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817273 David VanMiddlesworth Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:32:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817273 at http://www.flocard.com/ there is a short release that give the impression they are waiting for TSA approval for this (taking over CLEAR's locations/customers). at http://www.flocard.com/ there is a short release that give the impression they are waiting for TSA approval for this (taking over CLEAR’s locations/customers).

]]> By: J. B. http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817259 J. B. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:23:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817259 I'm going to miss them too, but I would like a refund since my pass didn't expire until 2014. I’m going to miss them too, but I would like a refund since my pass didn’t expire until 2014.

]]> By: genesis http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817243 genesis Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:15:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817243 used the service every time I travelled. These guys saved me from missing so many flights. they will be missed. Why doesnt the damn govt do something useful and take over this, continue to charge $199 to frequent flyers and businesses willing to pay for the convenience. It does make sense to separate the registered travelers from the average traveller. used the service every time I travelled. These guys saved me from missing so many flights. they will be missed.

Why doesnt the damn govt do something useful and take over this, continue to charge $199 to frequent flyers and businesses willing to pay for the convenience. It does make sense to separate the registered travelers from the average traveller.

]]> By: xclear http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817233 xclear Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:08:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817233 This really sucks for frequent business travellers. Waiting in summer security lines four or six times a week at major hubs is not a lot of fun. I'm not holding my breath for FLO Card to pick up the Clear lanes. FLRP look like a penny stock with no assets. They will probably go under as well. As for the TSA getting better, you must be flying at a different airport to me. Come back in a month and tell me how wonderful it is to fly in July. Clear had 200,000 customers, paying from $99-$199 a year based on when they signed up. And they raised $44m last year in a financing. This looks to me like a bank ('senior creditor') pulled the rug out from under them. They should be named and shamed. This really sucks for frequent business travellers. Waiting in summer security lines four or six times a week at major hubs is not a lot of fun.

I’m not holding my breath for FLO Card to pick up the Clear lanes. FLRP look like a penny stock with no assets. They will probably go under as well.

As for the TSA getting better, you must be flying at a different airport to me. Come back in a month and tell me how wonderful it is to fly in July.

Clear had 200,000 customers, paying from $99-$199 a year based on when they signed up. And they raised $44m last year in a financing. This looks to me like a bank (’senior creditor’) pulled the rug out from under them. They should be named and shamed.

]]> By: TripIt Goes Pro, Launches Premium Flight Monitoring And Alerts http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817221 TripIt Goes Pro, Launches Premium Flight Monitoring And Alerts Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:58:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817221 [...] a way to take the burden out of flying, and now that they’ll no longer be able to pay $199 to skip airport security lines, this might prove a good alternative for reducing those [...] [...] a way to take the burden out of flying, and now that they’ll no longer be able to pay $199 to skip airport security lines, this might prove a good alternative for reducing those [...]

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="510977224">John Hall</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817200 John Hall Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:44:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817200 I was a Clear subscriber right from the start of the program and, as a very frequent traveler, I'm sad to see them go -- they made it very predictable ow much time it would take me to get through security (10 minutes max from front door of almost any airport to the other side of security line) . But I suspect they were a victim of two things. 1) The TSA is getting more effecient at processing people through the regular security process and 2) the security lines are shorter because people are traveling less during the recession. I noticed the last several times I went to major airports, the regular lines were short enough that I didn't even bother going through the Clear Lane. Besides, I always felt a little guilty when I got to go to the front of the line after doing the Clear fingerprint/retina scan. Still, I hope our personal information is being properly protected in the asset sale or merger process. I was a Clear subscriber right from the start of the program and, as a very frequent traveler, I’m sad to see them go — they made it very predictable ow much time it would take me to get through security (10 minutes max from front door of almost any airport to the other side of security line) . But I suspect they were a victim of two things. 1) The TSA is getting more effecient at processing people through the regular security process and 2) the security lines are shorter because people are traveling less during the recession. I noticed the last several times I went to major airports, the regular lines were short enough that I didn’t even bother going through the Clear Lane. Besides, I always felt a little guilty when I got to go to the front of the line after doing the Clear fingerprint/retina scan. Still, I hope our personal information is being properly protected in the asset sale or merger process.

]]> By: Kenn http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817184 Kenn Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:37:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817184 This does beg the question, who now has all of our information? This does beg the question, who now has all of our information?

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817182 Jon Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:34:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817182 Paying to skip the line was exactly what it was. You still had to go through the x-ray/metal detector, you just got to ditch the line. The whole card/scan thing was just BS; why would the extra ID verification justify moving up in the line? If the FAA wanted to, why not just have a "premium line" or for extra $$ they'd let you cut. No need for an extra middleman. Paying to skip the line was exactly what it was. You still had to go through the x-ray/metal detector, you just got to ditch the line. The whole card/scan thing was just BS; why would the extra ID verification justify moving up in the line?
If the FAA wanted to, why not just have a “premium line” or for extra $$ they’d let you cut. No need for an extra middleman.

]]> By: Mat E http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817176 Mat E Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:28:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817176 I used to commute San Jose - LAX 2-3 times a week. Clear Pass was a life saver on the SJC end, which would see random line backups of up to an hour. The choice was get there at 6am for a 7.30am flight or get a Clear card. Same for Oakland (which has got much better recently) where you could easily spend an hour or more in line. We'll miss you Clear, even though you took $360 of our money last month for renewals... I used to commute San Jose – LAX 2-3 times a week. Clear Pass was a life saver on the SJC end, which would see random line backups of up to an hour. The choice was get there at 6am for a 7.30am flight or get a Clear card. Same for Oakland (which has got much better recently) where you could easily spend an hour or more in line.

We’ll miss you Clear, even though you took $360 of our money last month for renewals…

]]> By: Farhad http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817167 Farhad Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:18:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817167 I'm betting that 2.5 million processed does not mean 2.5 million paying members...I was "processed" probably close to 100 times just in the 2nd half of last year. Also, there were a serious number of people who got their first (and sometimes 2nd) year for free thru elite member bonuses through other frequent traveler programs (Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc...). I’m betting that 2.5 million processed does not mean 2.5 million paying members…I was “processed” probably close to 100 times just in the 2nd half of last year.

Also, there were a serious number of people who got their first (and sometimes 2nd) year for free thru elite member bonuses through other frequent traveler programs (Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc…).

]]> By: EastSideDanny http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817146 EastSideDanny Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:00:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817146 What I don't understand is where is TSA in all of this? Verified Identity Pass (Clear) obviously had a contract with TSA in order to be able to fast-clear passengers and even operate at the airports. Doesn't TSA vet the financial stability of the companies that they issue contracts to? Also, since VIP clearly is in possession of a wealth of information about the 250K+ people that signed up with them, and this information obviously has both value and the ability to be misused - why isn't the TSA stepping in and taking possession and custody of the data? I hate to be paranoid but..... What I don’t understand is where is TSA in all of this? Verified Identity Pass (Clear) obviously had a contract with TSA in order to be able to fast-clear passengers and even operate at the airports. Doesn’t TSA vet the financial stability of the companies that they issue contracts to? Also, since VIP clearly is in possession of a wealth of information about the 250K+ people that signed up with them, and this information obviously has both value and the ability to be misused – why isn’t the TSA stepping in and taking possession and custody of the data? I hate to be paranoid but…..

]]> By: Alan http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/22/clear-in-the-deadpool-so-much-for-zipping-through-airport-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2817123 Alan Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=75531#comment-2817123 I've flown round trip, DC to Orlando 50 times in the last year. Never been more than a 15 minute wait on either end. I’ve flown round trip, DC to Orlando 50 times in the last year. Never been more than a 15 minute wait on either end.

]]>