Flyclear

Anyone who has traveled by plane since 9/11 has probably noticed how much of a pain that it is. Especially when they ask you to take out your laptop, then your shoes, and give up all your liquids. This is especially a pain for those who carry an abundance of electronic goods, for you will automatically labeled "security risk".

Now there is an express pass for those who want to go through this security clearance thing faster. Flyclear is a company that offers passengers the chance to literally fly clear of all this security. All you need to do is pay $99.95 a year, plus a one-time fee of $28 USD. (There are special rates for those who know they will have the service for a few more years.) Oh, you also have to register online with two types of official ID, and then go to an enrollment center where you have a photo, fingerprints, and biometric details taken from you. Apparently, foreigners are encouraged to reply, but a US passport is recommended.

Since Flyclear has access to all this stuff, so does the FAA, apparently. For once you are cleared for take off, they give you a transparent card with a biometric chip. Now that you are a card-carrying member of Flyclear, you can just walk through the fast line, sort of like those Fast Express passes at the Disney theme parks.

Unfortunately, this service is only in a few airports such as Orlando, Indianapolis, San Jose, and Cincinnati. It is only in one terminal at JFK, but that will soon expand to more. More airports are also underway to take the Flyclear program, which is currently not servicing on a 24-7 basis. In other words, you can only use your Flyclear pass when the Flyclear line is open. Hopefully you do the bulk of your traveling from 9-5, or whenever Flyclear lanes are open.

When I read an article about Flyclear, it joked that "terrorists get 40% off". That's one of those jokes where you laugh, then you really wonder why you laughed in the first place. I can't help but wonder if terrorists will use the Flyclear as a free pass to get their goods on board.

However, I don't think having a Flyclear pass is going to keep you and your stuff from having to go through the X-rays. Flyclear is just a way to make you go to the head of the security line, which can sometimes be worth the high price. Security lines can often jam up, and it's nice to be able to get through quicker than a snail's pace. Who knows, Flyclear may become an elitist society for those frequent flyers. Sort of like those velvet ropes at certain clubs.