Clear officially opened lanes March 19 at Reagan National and Dulles International airports, amidst record breaking traffic in a pre-launch test period. Clear provides its members with an unprecedented and inspired solution to the security bottlenecks that have become a routine aspect of flying. Over 300 Clear members used the lanes in the first day of unannounced testing during the previous week. “It was like serving food at a new restaurant before its lights were even on or its opening was even announced,” said Clear CEO Steven Brill. “All of these people just showed up, some from DC, where we’ve already signed up about 3,500 people and others from among the more than 118,000 people who have signed up across the country and who’ve been waiting for Reagan and Dulles to get Clear. We were stunned by the demand but grateful that we were able to speed them through without a hitch. This is a great sign that the program is going to be an unprecedented success in the nation’s Capital.”
Clear members are pre-screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and, after application approval, are provided with a card that allows exclusive access to Clear’s security lanes nationwide. The innovative, high-tech Clear card verifies a fingerprint or iris image selected by members during enrollment.
“Finally, we have a chance to see the registered traveler program in action,” said Representative Dan Lungren, Ranking Member, Transportation Security Subcomittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. “I have always believed we could combine customer friendly innovation with a continued commitment to aviation security. This is one more step in that direction.”
“New Registered Traveler lanes at Washington Reagan National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport bring the number of U.S. airports with Registered Traveler to 16,” said Bill Connors, Executive Director and COO, National Business Traveler Association. “As the program continues to expand, the country will see increased benefits: business travelers participating in the program will save time and increase productivity; all security lines at participating airports and terminals will be shorter; and–because registered travelers have already been pre-screened–precious airport security resources can be used more effectively.”
Clear enrollment stations are already operating at the American Express Travel Office at 15th and K Streets and in the Congressional Federal Credit Union in the Longworth House Office Building. Clear will open an enrollment station in the Pentagon Federal Credit Union lobby for the convenience of Credit Union members in the following weeks. Clear has also brought its enrollment kiosks onsite to area businesses and is scheduling new appointments to come onsite for area law firms, corporations, government offices and other businesses.
Clear’s hotel partner, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, has actively promoted Clear to members of its Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty program since it formed a partnership with Clear over two years ago. Hyatt purchased memberships so that its Diamond and Platinum Gold Passport members receive a complimentary year of Clear.
All government employees (federal, state and local) receive 13 months for the price of 12 when enrolling in Clear. This discount will be available to all first responders, emergency workers, legislators and their staffs, and law enforcement officers, among others, at the local, state and federal levels. Since last year, Clear has also been providing free Clear cards to active duty military that choose to enroll in the program–an offer that will continue and be available at all Clear enrollment locations.
With Clear lanes already operating in airports in Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, New York’s LaGuardia and JFK, Newark, San Francisco, and others, the opening of lanes in both Washington’s Reagan and Dulles airports will ensure that the annual fee of $100 plus a $28 TSA vetting fee is a small price to pay for less hassle travel from locations across the U.S. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/thirdfactor-4.gif)
