California bill seeks to ban Clear from state's airports

California state Sen. Josh Newman has introduced a bill that would ban Clear, a service that lets travelers who pay a yearly fee skip security lines, from the state's airports. Carter Evans reports.
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[@zion9860]

TSA pre-check is much better than clear.

[@davidh9844]

And since my favorite credit card company covers most of the cost of Global Re-entry, which includes TSA pre-check, that's where I'm heading next when my current Pre Check expires. Consider it part of my White Privilege.

[@saltymethods2637]

TSA pre-check is the same thing. But you’re paying the government instead.

[@pdxwino]

Not true. TSA lines are now longer than ever. Not so with Clear.

[@bobbullethalf]

100%, just get an appointment and get it done.

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

@@pdxwinotbh. Depends on the timing but tsa is never a fun experience.

[@lstockton8468]

TSA pre-check is more secure, cheaper (free with some credit cards), the lines move faster, and you don't give up bio-identity information to a 3rd party company with lapses in its security.

[@ajs11201]

^ its

[@lstockton8468]

@@ajs11201 Thanks for the catch

[@lambertlum1087]

If TSA can out-compete a private a company with superior service, then let them duke it out. No need for government intervention to squash a private company, when the TSA can do the same by stealing all the customers.

[@hefoxed]

​@lambertlum1087 Clear sells priority access to public/tax funded TSA line -- it's not providing it'd own line in the cases being talked about. To rephrase, it's a private company that is not paying for the government service it's selling access to. So, the bill would make it have its own line that it's paying for, instead of selling priority access to the tax funded line. This private company is extending wait times to tax payers who aren't paying them, for a service tax payers are funding. That's egrocious. I had no idea that was what was happening -- that's obviously not fair.

[@lambertlum1087]

@@hefoxed And the TSA can also provision eye scanners, but they don't. If private companies can fill in where the government doesn't, then let people pay the premium. There is nothing egregious about paying more to get more. I shop at Walmart. I don't begrudge people who shop at Nordstrom.

[@bruintoo]

Isn't that the business model?! First class ticket holders get to security faster usually.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

I pay for first class tickets and I pay for Clear, Pre-Check and Global Entry all with my own money. I pay a lot more for these services to save myself time which is money. If I have the means and decide that’s where I choose to spend my money then I should get the perks that come with my choice. Disney has “Fast Pass”, CalTrans has “Fast Track”, USPS has “Priority Mail”, Airlines have “First Class & Premium Economy”, Costco has “Memberships” …and I can go on and on in both private and government sectors. If they want to do away with one paid perk, then do away with them all.

[@SL-lz9jr]

Don’t they usually have their own lines? That’s what they’re trying to do here. At the very end of the video they clarify they don’t want to ban Clear but for Clear to have its own line. Rather than let people cut in line. If Clear has its own line, then these customers are better off just getting TSA precheck.

[@earthwormscrawl]

Gotta wonder, do these state lawmakers get preferential treatment and get to skip lines because of their position?

[@Strange_Shadow214]

​@@earthwormscrawlyep they do...if they don't have their own jet 😂

[@s.r6331]

Yup. It's all about $ w these ppl. Smh. Y should those who pay for this service be penalized

[@mdk03]

0:43 this is by far the worst justification for banning clear I've ever heard....if you have the money to pay for a service, that doesn't mean you must think yourself better than someone else

[@robertogurrola7465]

But the thing is, most clear passengers think they are better than regular passengers.

[@derpydude2739]

@@robertogurrola7465No they don't. I'm a Clear passenger, and I have literally never thought that due to my ability to go in front of you in the airport line. This is the first time I even heard this argument.

[@kimeiga]

@@derpydude2739same. This is like banning business and first class seats

[@MikeF1189]

If you have the money to pay for a service that someone else cannot pay for, then by definition, you are better than them.

[@stompgrounds]

⁠@@MikeF1189 that’s a terrible take. It only means that you have more resources. Nothing else.

[@trinsit]

This was literally the entire purpose of security theater. It's always been about scraping money out of people for no reason.

[@quantumtechcrypto7080]

Actually it’s more nefarious than that. Communism is incremental just research history and you’ll see how progressive it is here. Security state is here. Soon digital currency loss of freedom

[@Rosarium2007]

I have TSA Pre-Check. Much better than Clear. More secure. And I can breeze through the line with my shoes on and my MacBook stashed in my carry-on almost like it is 1999. 😎

[@PeterMasella]

You can use CLEAR to access TSA-PreCheck too. I have both and it gets me to the front of the TSA Prechek line. It's a great combo!

[@ajs11201]

@@PeterMasella It depends on the airport. I don't personally have clear, yet at one of the major airports I use frequently, I see the Clear passengers maybe only one or two ahead of me in line. Some airports keep those precheck lines moving so fast, that the extra expense of Clear comes down to $200/year to jump ahead two positions in line. For that, I'll save my money and spend it on an upgrade or something else.

[@LadyVenVen]

I mean… Most people that have clear also have TSA pre check, it’s not like we don’t enjoy the added benefit of skipping the TSA pre check line. Especially in east coast airports. So I would say my way is much better.

[@EhCloserLook]

(Hey!)🤫🤫🤫🤫

[@RayCromwell]

I use Clear PLUS TSA-Pre and in most cases, I have no line, almost just go through and drop my stuff on the scanner, no opening bags, no taking off belt. Since I got that, I've been arriving at the airport literally 10 minutes before the boarding starts, and still end up getting to the gate early. This whole "haves and have nots" storyline is dumb. Air Travel is full of this. From seating, to boarding order, to private security and lounges, if you're willing to pay, you can get in front of other people, or get preferential treatment.

[@L6Jeremy]

"I paid $189 because I think i'm better than you" is a wild thing to say/ believe lmao.

[@idwtgymn]

Step one of the woke playbook is always to turn it into a class war

[@xx5zi]

​​@@idwtgymnThe entire fascist playbook that the GOP now follows is based on perpetuating class warfare

[@hawavideouploader]

People in this country buy f150 because they just want to show who's got the bigger car or truck. So, yeah, Americans are small minded in general.

[@xx5zi]

The entire GOP playbook is based on authoritarian fascism, and that, like communism, is deeply rooted in a two-class system- the very comfortably wealthy who"ve never worked or served in the military, and a very poor working class.

[@xx5zi]

@@idwtgymn Your comment is perplexing, since you can neither read nor count.

[@DameDiabolique]

This legislation needs to make more sense. When I flew from San Diego Airport, CLEAR and TSA had separate lines. That's the incentive for paying the extra fees and going through the extra background checks and security. It sounds like the issue is with the airports.

[@grizzleg8729]

Exactly. What’s the difference between Clear and TSA?

[@ml-jt6eg]

Ones federally governed and ones a private company

[@ebeard01]

Yes but in some airports, Clear uses the Pre-Check lines and shove their customers ahead.

[@fanofMcGonagall]

This headline is clickbait. You say it yourself in the actual article: "they don't want to ban Clear completely, just separate the laws." And the media wonders why people don't have a lot of respect for them anymore...

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

Separate the “line”. Not laws.

[@FriendofMineralTown]

They shadow ban people for pointing out flaws.

[@agrant06]

😂

[@Willtellthetruth]

That's a naive interpretation unless you've already confirmed that separate *lines* are a practical (and practicable) solution. You haven't confirmed such. But hey, please continue being the big tough guy media critic complaining about coverage.

[@benbaggen2375]

It's not a matter of laws, it's simply entitled broke people who think it's "not fair"

[@gnryushi]

Complete stupidity. We have Fastrak here in CA. You pay to "jump the line" and avoid traffic on all the other lanes. Why are these idiots complaining about Clear to begin with?

[@erle777able]

Because clear scams!!! Required us and it was not required!

[@erle777able]

The system and app are disfunctional and very not functional!

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

If I was a peasant stuck in traffic, I would want a ban on Fastrak too.

[@brianholloway6205]

Not exactly fast track using toll roads is not the same. There is no security check to use the highway everyday

[@Androctonus84]

The problem (one of many) with Clear, is that they are a private company making a profit by selling access to services that we all pay for with our tax dollars, without putting that money back into those services. With most other "pay to jump the line" services, the service itself is the one charging the fee, and so the money goes into supporting the services to which access is being sold. With Clear you just have a private company parasitizing a public service by selling premium access to services we all pay for with our taxes without putting that money back into the service that supports their business. That's like allowing a private company to sell access to restricted lanes on a freeway without requiring them to pay for road construction or maintenance, and paying for all of that with our taxes. This bill doesn't ban Clear - it just requires that they pay for the service that they sell access to by paying for extra security lines rather than simply collecting money for the use of the ones our taxes pay for. They would only be banned from airports where they don't pay for their own security lines.

[@Chibibandito]

Clear existing at all is proof that a lot of what TSA is about isn't necessary in the first place. $189/yr is a paltry amount to skip security. If you can pay to skip the security, it wasn't that necessary in the first place

[@krisbaker9427]

You don’t get to skip security. Do try to pay attention and keep up! They skip the long line to security.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

You don’t skip security. ​​⁠it’s not. Clear moves you the front of the line then you through the security checkpoint you are entitled to: TSA preacheck or the TSA standard line.

[@SpeedRacerXM5]

You have to be approved, by FBI 1ST. You have to go through background checks with FBI, DO A RENTA SCAN AND FIBGER PRINTS AND IF YOU PASS THEN YOU are able to go to shorter line!

[@lynn7392]

I opt for TSA PreCheck primarily to bypass the hassle of removing shoes, belts, jackets, and extracting my laptop from my bag. Moreover, PreCheck lines usually have fewer people, which means less waiting for me. It's not about feeling superior to anyone else, as someone suggested; it's about making the travel experience a bit less stressful. This same logic applies when I choose to upgrade to a first-class ticket, budget permitting. The appeal lies in the larger seats, extra space, and having just one person next to me. It’s all about comfort and convenience, nothing more.

[@Anon1mous]

I have Global Entry. I still have to remove belts or anything that sets off the alarm.

[@tomthelandloardpma7683]

Sounds like bribery wrapped up with a fancy wrapper

[@davidh9844]

Eat your heart out, shut your mouth, and stay in your line!

[@tomthelandloardpma7683]

@@davidh9844 eat a bag of your cold smoked sausage

[@tomthelandloardpma7683]

@@davidh9844 I responded to your comment however it disappeared so censored I guess

[@Timbrock1000]

It is, but instead it's called "lobbying"

[@randallthomas5207]

Before Clear, you could do a background check through the TSA website and get a clearance number card, and number which indicated that there had been an FBI background check. And it disapppeared after the private sector complained.

[@Androctonus84]

You can still do this, through two TSA programs: TSA Precheck and TSA Global Entry. With Global Entry you also get expedited passage through immigration when you return from traveling outside the country. The problem (one of many) with Clear, is that they are a private company making a profit by selling access to services that we all pay for with our tax dollars, without putting that money back into those services, whereas the TSA programs add the money from their programs back into the services that they use. What this bill does is not ban Clear, but require that they do the same if they want to operate at a given airport.

[@roachtoasties]

I'm enrolled in TSA PreCheck/Global Entry. That's good enough for me. In observing Clear, I don't see much of an advantage. You need PreCheck anyway. Depending on how busy the screening area is, Clear might even take you longer to get to the same spot. Anyway, I always get to the airport early. If Clear saves 2 minutes for $180 a year, that is no value to me.

[@adidasut11]

@roachtoasties, I used to be the same as you, but since I have an AMEX Platinum card (which reimburses for TSA Precheck/Global Entry), I also got Clear (as the Amex reimburses for that annual fee as well), and TSA Precheck on its own was pretty good, but now using the Clear line in the TSA Precheck security line, I get through far more quickly. It's worth it for me, since I "don't pay for it" due to my credit card.

[@NotARealChef]

Ok get rid of the toll lanes.

[@tommydong8070]

Ignorant much?

[@robinperronjones5024]

There should not be long queues at US security checks, if they had sufficient equipment, staff and decent competent management. Stop making excuses and go to the sources of the problems and “fix”it. The whole airline pre and post experience is pathetic and needs huge change.

[@Nun195]

Also trains, so flying was only a coast to coast/ international event.

[@MannyFresh1985]

LOL. THIS is what this California politician is concerned about? There are way more pressing issues at hand. 🙄

[@tigertextmitchie2053]

Because Cali politicians like to distract people from the real issue. So they make minute issues big because behind it, there's a more devious plan.. lol

[@cblizz730]

I would pay a subscription fee to avoid traffic. If I had the money I would definitely pay to get ahead of the line.

[@athenagreen5390]

Even if a terrorist could pay to join you? The problem with Clear is that it's less secure. This is about safety.

[@Spectatorofthegames]

Those with ill intent find a way regardless of skipping a line. Besides, We all wind up at the same security check points. And to paying to avoid traffic?HELL YA! People take express lanes for free and for cost. It’s a simple matter of preferences. People should sign up for clear since they have free trial incentives! Try it before you knock it. It cost less than crappy couch potato streaming per month. $15 to be exact.

[@eugenewoo8352]

@@athenagreen5390 not true, do you have it?…it takes forever to apply and fill out a clear app, fingerprints license number, last three known addresses, they do a very through background check

[@tigertextmitchie2053]

​@athenagreen5390 you know we go thru the same line. Same security people.

[@MH_6160]

@@athenagreen5390 Then why is he framing it as a economic disparity issue. Have you even read the bill?

[@average_joe8905]

Used Clear a couple times but Pre-Check has always been better and cheaper

[@killer2600]

I have to agree with the politician, clear just clogs up the screening area with "line cutters" which slows the process for those that don't pay the $189/yr travel tax. If clear had it's own separate screening area where it didn't burden the poor peasants that have to use the taxpayer funded screen area, I wouldn't care about clear's operations. But as it is now, it's a privately owned line cutting service that cuts you to the front of the line of a tax-payer funded screening area of which many tax payers are inline waiting to use.

[@MrRicklynch57]

Your income tax dollars pay for the hangers of F-22s not 747s. The airport is paid for by your ticket sales and merchandise sales. The screeners are often privately contracted employees. Even the TSA PreCheck program is contracted to 3 private companies including Clear (deal finalized, not offered yet). The congressman in California doesn't care of someone pays to cut in line. Otherwise, he'll be going after Disney, Universal, and Six Flags. He is going after Clear, because Delta just set up a similar feature to CLEAR at LAX and he wants whatever Delta gave him from Clear.

[@rafael_lana]

Typical tax payer that has zero idea what taxes actually fund 😂

[@oeckstei]

Some politician didn’t get their kick back from a donor recently 😆 Is this really an issue. A few credit cards have the subscription service including. Plus TSA pre check is better for domestic.

[@PeterMasella]

Not all customers pay for CLEAR. Many customers of CLEAR receive CLEAR for free because it is granted to them by the airlines due to having high level status. Just like many of those sitting in first class, many passengers seated there have received a free upgrade. This has nothing to do with "I'm better than you". It's a way for the airlines to say "Thank You" for your frequent flying.

[@turkey1337]

Amex Platinum pays for your annual Clear Fee or at least set up fee.

[@jaystrickland4151]

Yep I get free clear and pre check. I travel a lot so it makes sense.

[@kevinb6745]

Or also it’s a benefit on many co-branded airline credit cards & some other higher end CCs like Amex Platinum

[@spocksvulcanbrain]

This is no different than the Pay-For-Use HOV lanes in CA. It doesn't make traffice flow better. It doesn't relieve congestion, it just benefits a few who pay. That's not the purpose of the CA Transportation agency, nor of the TSA or airports. Besides, once enough people have Clear, the number of line breakers will be so large that those in the regular lines may take significantly longer to reach the screening machines. It's unfair for those waiting.

[@JohnSkyLey]

Just pay for clear then. You probably don’t fly enough. If you fly once a year that just wait in line

[@spocksvulcanbrain]

@@JohnSkyLey I fly a lot actually - have TSA precheck. I was posting from a logical standpoint, not my own circumstance.

[@bobbullethalf]

I don’t understand what the problem is, you pay for expedited service and move through the line.

[@nunyanunya4147]

awe! i bet your parents taught you you can throw money at any situation and make it go away!

[@tigertextmitchie2053]

​@nunyanunya4147 people have it, why not use it?

[@MH_6160]

@@nunyanunya4147 Typical comment from a Lame… . My parents didn't teach me that, I figured it out on my own. The ability to buy back your time is priceless and I have no problem paying money to do so. But you wouldn't understand that concept because you are angry at anyone who isn't like you.

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

@@nunyanunya4147that's quite a jump. I used it for instance because of a spinal problem that made it hard to stand for long.

[@TheoriginalBMT]

​@@nunyanunya4147 people do it every day. Buying fast food, instead of cooking. Taking toll roads, instead of highway. Buying digital movies to download rather than buying in store. Saving time is the American lifestyle

[@Bellman84]

Might as well get rid of carpool lanes also.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

As well as the “Fast Pass” at Disney.

[@shanet7511]

No. Disney is its own business and Commiefornia already profits from them big time. Toll lanes are pure profit for the politicians as well. The politicians just want to ban clear because they don't have a way to profit as easily.

[@MH_6160]

@@fearsomebeard4290 Fast pass on the bridges in the Bay Area as well.

[@carolr7823]

Carpool lanes provide a benefit to society. Clear does not.

[@hittnguy]

@@carolr7823yes it does make the regular lines shorter 😂

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

For everyone who seems confused: you do not skip security with Clear. You go through the identity screening at Clear to show you are a member. Then Clear moves you the front of the security lines (regardless if you are TSA PreCheck or not) then you through the security checkpoint you are entitled to: TSA preacheck or the TSA standard line.

[@TC-cd5sm]

I use Clear before I travel a lot for work and they pay for it. Frequent travelers are often the ones that clear through security quicker because we know the process hands down.

[@BlownMacTruck]

Clear is useless. It’s unreliable and not in all airports, so it’s very inconsistent.

[@ajs11201]

@@BlownMacTruck You're contradicting yourself. True, it's inconsistent, but it's not useless. Most of the larger/major airports use Clear, and it helps move folks through the process faster, which is especially important for those larger airports with a lot of passengers.

[@BlownMacTruck]

@@ajs11201 It's useless because where it actually is, it BARELY moves anyone faster. DEN which is arguably the best-case scenario for CLEAR due to DEN's ridiculous pre-check line setup, shaves off a total of 5-10 seconds - if CLEAR is working properly. If it's not (which can happen regularly) it's actually slower. Due to the new way TSA does ID checks, it's largely negated any benefits CLEAR brings to the table. "Most" airports doesn't include places like ORD T3, JFK other than T4, LGA other than TC, etc, all of which are some of the heaviest airport terminals in the country. And on top of that, you've given your bio data to a company that has a VERY sketchy agreement policy on their usage of that data. It's a garbage company that prioritizes profit over functionality, and it shows. This is what happens when you put privatization into public transportation security.

[@BlownMacTruck]

​@@ajs11201 I'm not contradicting myself - you're the one disagreeing. It's useless because it's not some of the most heavily trafficked parts of the heaviest trafficked airports in the US, like ORD, LGA, JFK, half of ATL, etc. The place where it's deployed and should be the MOST effective - DEN, with it's terrible TSA PreCheck setup - it's not even faster since the TSA implemented the new ID checking procedure. And don't even get me started on the terrible user agreement you are paired with when you sign up and how the company can basically sell of your bio-derived data without any responsibility. This is what happens when you privatize a core part of public transportation - an implementation that's guided by profit, not service.

[@ajs11201]

@@BlownMacTruck Well, I'm no great fan of Clear. I've seen it used in different airports, with different degrees of success. And I certainly agree about the risks of selling your bio-derived data to some third-party company--especially now that they've had a data/security breach. My post above is commenting that the experience will be inconsistent between airports because airports are of different sizes and complexities. You're now adding clarity to your original post which I did not have advantage of when I responded to your original post. And, finally, I'll add that I totally agree with you about DEN, which has been about my most horrible TSA experience in the country. Some years ago, I heard that the airlines pay the TSA contract--or have some financial or managerial connection to TSA. I don't know if that's true, but it does seem consistent that some of the worst airports also happen to be United hubs, viz., DEN, ORD, and SFO. As for LGA and JFK, I've never waited more than a very few minutes to get through TSA, but I fly Delta, so that may be a factor in my experience. That's more of a question than a statement, by the way.

[@janofb]

Great idea! Let's get rid of some people paying more state tax because they're "better than poor people!"

[@faithhupy4983]

You know that pain to line cut is terrible you say amusement parks we used to go to this one amusement park every year with our family and we could go in the year you stand in line for 2 hours and just because you have more money you get to come up and cut in line and yeah that's why I quit taking my family to amusement parks it just showed them that money talks and that's not something I wanted to teach my family

[@cameronbateau6510]

What amusement park did you go every year?

[@illmagnetic]

Stupid bill. Give more money to the TSA so they can step their game up. CLEAR or No CLEAR, everyone still gets yelled at by the TSA agent with the bad attitude.

[@JustinBoss302]

Can the state ban carpool lane as well?

[@pete5668]

only for Republicans, lol

[@cameronno6039]

They should ban toll roads first.

[@Mark-yo5ue]

Clear is an absolute travesty. An airport is a public transit system. Why do I need to pay to get through security …

[@Replicant2600]

Pre and clear together are great. Though sometimes I see tsa-pre move faster than clear. The airport sucks, if you travel every other week for work it makes it just a little more tolerable. Clear isn’t worth it if you travel once or twice a year. Maybe this guy got hacked off when a clear and pre customer got in front of him, cuz he’s in state congress and wants to be treated more special.

[@robertogurrola7465]

Precheck is always supposed to be faster than clear. Clear is never supposed to be prioritized over standard or precheck passengers

[@Distress.]

The real fix is scaling back TSA since most of it is unnecessary

[@Emation7]

I recently wondered why the airports don't invest in making the security experience fast and efficient for everyone. Sychronized walking pass security dogs, taking off your shoes, taking out electronics from your carry-on is getting frustrating.

[@DashRiprock513]

TSA security theater.... it's ridiculous... it's a pointless waste of time.

[@ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank]

Airlines threaten to raise prices if CLEAR is removed? Wow, that’s hilarious

[@hotttt28]

Income inequality is getting worse !

[@Kelemor]

Might as well remove Disney fast passes as well. Since only certain individuals can afford them

[@sfs2040]

I still remember when I encountered these people. I thought the salesperson was a TSA Agent and when I heard him say "free trial" I grabbed my ID so fast from him and got away I thought I was going to burn holes in the carpet

[@alexisesguerra2544]

Well hell, can we also ban the Fastrak Express Lane system? Why should those willing to pay a toll get traffic free commutes?!

[@trvrsln]

Only reason you’d introduce this bill after a company’s already been around 14 years is because you had a long day and Clear had a customer cut in front of you

[@VegasVaron]

Not a big fan of Ckear, but isn’t it the same as TSA? There’s a yearly fee to sign up for TSA?

[@rovermiles1]

0:15 - California politicians have created a system of "haves and have nots". Clear is akin to flying business or first class; it's an affordable option that any traveller can purchase for a year. Seeing these other comments; you must have TSA pre check to have clear; clear is biometrics and background check via pre check. It's really time to either hire more TSA agents or restrict flights.

[@MSal7]

That’s like banning first class? You’re paying a premium for the premium service

[@cameronno6039]

Do something about the long lines and people won't need services like Clear. Until then, this bill should be DOA. Fire him for even considering it.

[@Androctonus84]

The bill doesn't ban Clear, it simply requires them to pay for the infrastructure that they use. Currently a private corporation is profiting by selling access to publicly funded security infrastructure - which the rest of us have already paid for with our tax dollars. Their spokesperson is correct; TSA already doesn't have enough funding, so TSA can't afford to open new lines just for them. But then that's the whole point - TSA (our taxes) SHOULDN'T be paying for the infrastructure that a private company is using to make a profit if that company isn’t then contributing to upgrading that infrastructure. Clear should be paying for that infrastructure, and if they don't, they shouldn't be able to operate where they don't.

[@rhonnieminnie]

Some airports let 1st class/ business seats skip the line too.

[@kevinb6745]

Did you not hear the statement towards the end of the report that CLEAR (backed by several major airliners) DO in fact pay the airports millions of $ in fees to have those lanes? Certainly they aren’t allowing them to operate for free lol

[@Androctonus84]

@@kevinb6745 the airports don’t run or fund the TSA. Airports are generally funded by local and state governments, and sometimes private companies. The TSA and its services are part of Homeland Security and are funded with our federal tax dollars. Clear is not paying for access to those TSA services, we all do, but that is exactly what Clear is selling - special access to the services we pay the federal government for. And in doing so, they degrade the access to that service of anyone who paid for it, but didn’t also pay them and so gets pushed to the back of the line. Even the opponent to this bill in this report admits that TSA doesn’t have the funding to open more lines (which he gives as a reason that this would be impractical), but the reason they don’t is because Clear isn’t paying for the TSA services they sell access to. The money Clear pays to the airports goes to cover their rent of space for their kiosks, the electricity they use, and rent for the space the lines that their customers use to access their kiosks take up. That’s just the same facilities overhead that every business in an airport pays for. But other businesses also pay for the product or service they sell. Clear doesn’t. If you go to an airport with Clear, they haven’t added security screening lines (the body scanners and X-ray machines), they just reduced the space for the ID check lines so that Clear has space for their own ID line (which they do pay for), but then feed everyone into the same TSA security check lines that were always there. Except now Clear customers get to cut in front of everyone in those TSA security screening lines. They are selling premium access to a service that we all already pay for and that they don’t. This bill simply requires that if they want to sell it, they have to pay for it. Saying that Clear pays the airports and so they’re okay is like saying that it would be fine for the restaurants in the airport pay the airports for all the space and utilities they use, but sell food and employee services that we all paid for with our taxes, and only to people who pay them an extra fee to eat.

[@LamboV12]

The person who paid $189 is better than the person that didn’t pay

[@AdrianMunch]

If this wasn’t offered nobody would be flying. The lines would be so long half the flights would be grounded.

[@glennet9613]

The problem is it gives the airlines an incentive to make the regular lines even slower. A theme park won’t do that because it might put off customers altogether but airline passengers have no choice.

[@AndrewCortesi]

Reporters must first attend pun writing school. “Company is facing possible turbulence”, “One thing is perfectly clear”, “Whether you’ve got cleared on not” 🙄🙄🙄

[@LuKiSCraft]

Not feasible to have a separate line? That's literally what TSA pre-check does. Shut up.

[@xtype2006]

So then why does the state charge customers for the Fastrack lanes on the freeways? Those people are all paying to jump the line as well.

[@thomask4836]

I feel sorry for anyone who has to go to an airport these days. I am so happy that I retired 9 years ago. For 30 years before that, I used to travel for business. I have not been to an airport or set foot on a plane since. For the past 9 or so years, No congested airports No TSA No smelly micro bathrooms No delayed or cancelled flights No screaming babies on board No rude travelers No middle seats etc. etc. etc. Just peace, bliss and happiness. Peace and Happiness.

[@ed1pk]

Government should stop meddling with private industry and banning companies. 😑

[@haylieg2780]

Pre-check is so much better. Get rid of clear entirely as far as I’m concerned.

[@christopheralex6471]

LGA Had a 2 hr line once. Clear helped me get through it in less than 20 minutes..

[@TheZombaslaya]

I actually get clear through one of my credit cards, I wouldn’t use it otherwise

[@Tker1970]

Precheck is expedited security screening. Clear is expedited ID verification prior to security screening. Best scenario is having both.

[@GamerKatz_1971]

Since when has there even been a system that didn't reward certain people? From carpool lanes to express checkout our entire society is based on haves and have nots.

[@shabbysnubtide3339]

This sets a terrible precedent The next thing they will want to do is ban the more blatant “have and have not” institution of first and business class seating or anything that carries a up charge.

[@heatherclifton6543]

Watch out, Disney! Your fastpass program will be next!

[@erichstocker8358]

I have found that now at many busy airports that I can get through pre-TSA faster than Clear. More and more the Clear line is longer than TSA pre-check.

[@carlosjd23]

Sounds like *State* senator Josh Newman got big mad when someone cut in front of him using CLEAR 😂

[@charlesloomis2224]

“It’s not fair!!!!” 😭😭😭😭 Everybody should have to suffer the indignity, equally, of being treated like a POS when traveling through airport security!!

[@mirlov]

Basically, TSA has no budget or means of competing so we should hate Clear because it's "annoying and classist".

[@mrbenttley]

Sounds like someone with too much power had a bad experience with CLEAR in CA and is trying to throw their weight around.

[@js35409]

I am on board with getting rid of Clear. It just congests the tsapre and standard lines and stops them from moving smoothly. Pay for their own security lane. They don't get the same background check as other tsapre and global entry systems. Just pay money and get a quick pass.

[@iam1hamid]

That bill will be irrational from the point of view that same people pay Toll taxes to have a better access to the highways and bridges, same people pay extra cash to access the business class tickts then how clear is different ??

[@Guillermo90r]

I guess banning business class, first class or economy plus comes next. As it allows customers who pay extra to: skip lines, sit in more comfortable seats, have more leg room, “better” food and drink. Which others might not like.

[@thedownwardmachine]

Why not just make the system not suck? Oh, so they have a reason to upcharge you

[@Ashe-222]

This bill sounds like a waste of resources. Once the TSA’s Digital ID is available everywhere, Clear will lose contracts and the problem will resolve itself. It has always been a stopgap solution.

[@ronaldgrassmyer9795]

My question is how can a state put a ban on an airport when they are federal regulated.

[@wormfood868]

Because things can be regulated at the State, and Federal level, and as long as the State regulation doesn't conflict with Federal regulations they are permissible; and this doesn't conflict with Federal regulations at all.

[@williamsmith8354]

Wow, I cannot IMAGINE anyone from Cali thinkin one person was better than another. Lord, say it isn't so!

[@vghc]

While at it, how about banning first class, wheelchair, families and military from boarding the plane first. We need to all be on the same level.

[@bugsiez]

Back of the line poor people! I have a limo to catch!

[@JasonB808]

People already pay extra get in line first. Premium Economy and Business class ticket holders have their own security check line. International First Class ticket holders don’t even have a line. They have a luxury pickup service that takes them directly to First Class Jet bridge. Don’t confuse US domestic First class to International First class. US domestic first class is more like extra comfort seats. Just search KZbin for first class suites on Emirates or Singapore Airlines. You think the people flying like that wait in line?

[@NobodyYouKnow312]

Good! I cancelled my membership recently. First, the Clear line at SFO takes longer than standard pre-check because they don’t have enough kiosks and it moves slow. Second, they keep making it more difficult. You already have my eyes and fingerprints now you want a face scan? No. No more biometrics. Bye Clear!

[@Midni95t]

Clear is so efficient for travelers with TSA check in or without at major airports. I pay that money to save my time. Saving anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes per flight saves me hours to days in a year and those hours worth way more than what I pay.

[@fastcurious5890]

Why monopolize air travel? There's still scope for improving railways and bus services.

[@limyrob1383]

We need to challenge the business model - 1 create a queue, 2 charge people to avoid the queue.

[@desmo8755]

The problem with the world are the know-it-all idiots like the guy who says people pay for the service because they’re “better than everybody else.” Try traveling for work every week and see the drag it is, and the literal need for the additional convenience. Many people in the long lines are infrequent travelers headed to the Caribbean while the Clear customer is on his 854th trip to some midwestern factory.

[@matthewgraham6980]

TSA pre-check is much better anyways and much more secure than a private company that has numerous security violations.

[@walterpan]

Long overdue. Sick of the clear people cutting precheck lines.

[@StitchGV]

If it’s about a genuine security concern then why wasn’t that the first thing you said?? 🤨 Why even go into the whole classist thing?

[@yomeyo6622]

Going with his logic, he should ban express ways where you pay to skip traffic... This is just for show.

[@Lagassejames]

Are the skipping security measures by paying extra? So you’re going to make sure someone who doesn’t pay isn’t a threat but if you pay extra you are not screened as well. Sounds like they are being payed extra so they don’t have to do their job. isn’t it criminal to place public safety at risk at risk?

[@beenjammin8581]

California should focus on shop lifters

[@arttkd1018]

Government not liking the competition with Pre-Check.

[@Noname-rw2gi]

So thrilled that legislatures are working on such inconsequential things... sheezus...

[@hustlecrowe9440]

No one pays to skip the line at concerts or sports stadiums, wtf is that guy talking about?

[@cameronbateau6510]

How much would people pay to skip the line at the stadiums?

[@5yearsout]

The folks that (in my mind) foolishly pay for Clear actually help keep the standard line shorter, more people that use Clear the faster me and the other folks get through regular security quicker.

[@WeLoveWave]

Glad they're dealing with the important issues in California...

[@myagent21]

Instead of focusing on petty stuff like this, why can’t these so-called lawmakers focus on more bigger and pressing predatory practices like payday/car title loans with their 1900% annual interest charge, a slew of fees charge by banks, credit cards and the like?

[@ssaraccoii]

I thought the airports were federal property by law. How does California have any jurisdiction?

[@DBMIAMI.]

States rights and authority supersede federal. It has always been this way in our constitutional republic. The Federal government makes it seem like they have the power, but the power actually belongs to the citizens at the state level and this is clearly defined in the U.S. Constitution. The best tool the federal government has is to control the purse strings (federal funding) via the private bank called the federal reserve which compels states to comply with federal mandates/policies/rules. They don’t want you to know this, but luckily people are catching on to these facts.

[@aymanhawari2589]

True. Look at gay marriage and marijuana. Before that. Alcohol ban was state by state until overturned. 100% facts

[@pokeapple]

I love that airlines threaten raising fairs if their equity in Clear goes down, because of course the increased revenue from it before meant lower fares, right!

[@vishalagnihotri6431]

Right this is the most important issue in California

[@owenwillard5409]

This is actually such an uneducated take by california. No, clear and tsa precheck customers do not cut the line, they have their own line where there are less security protocols due to a background search.

[@jileskorey1105]

I'm not a California hater, but this sums up the states attitudes, instead of fixing the underlying issues, they have band aid approaches