BYE BYE MCO Security Lines

[CarolA]

I have been "cleared"

YOU ARE CLEAR!
Your Clear application has been approved. Your Clear Card was put in the mail today, and you should expect to receive it in three to ten days. Once you receive your Card, you will be able to use the ClearLane immediately.


Unfortunately I leave Thursday night for MCO so I probably won't have the card in time to use it then, but...

 

[disneynutt1225]

Congrats! How often do you travel?

 

[kcork1026]

what is this magical card you speak of?

 

[Dan Murphy]

That is great, Carol. Once Clear Card is at a few more airports, I probably will apply also.

 

[carolsherman]

How and where do you apply for it?

 

[RoutemanDan]

http://www.flyclear.com/

That's great Carol! Like Dan, we're waiting for it to show up in other places(Newark).

 

[CarolA]

I have about 7 trips to MCO between work, Disney and family this year. I figured it was less then $10 a trip.....After seeing the lines the last two times I decided to PAY (and that was before this trip Thursday came up)

I am a pro at arriving late and MCO was ruining my record...

 

[safetymom]

I have FlyClear and love it. When the govt. starts their trusted traveler program Fly Clear is supposed to be part of that. I figure I am ahead of the game.

CarolA, you will love it. It's so nice not having to wait in lines anymore.

 

[Aisling]

Will someone please explain the Clear idea for me? I checked the website, but it didn't help me understand.

What I gather is that a travelers personal data (DOB, address, etc), iris scan, fingerprints, and photo are put on a card. When you apply, your info is check out against a database of known and potential threatening people. You come up clear, you get a clear card, and you go through a special line at the airport for people who have been cleared.

What I don't understand is how this doesn't compromise security. What if I clear, and between now and my travel date I become a security threat?

Sounds great for travelers, but is it safe to trust this program?

Thanks for the insight.

 

[CarolA]

You are giving them permission to continually review your profile and you can be evicted.

Plus you still have to clear the database furnished to the airlines (ie. I still need a ticket)

Personally I don't feel one bit safer under TSA harrassment then I did under the old system. (I do however feel MUCH more harrassed!)

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Color me green with envy! If I flew in and out of MCO more often I would sign up as well.

I do wonder though if you can be cleared if you are flagged on one of the airlines. I am "SSSS flagged" on American but have Gold Medallion status on Delta and have never once been "randomly selected for the additional search". It would almost be worth the $70 just to see if I would clear!

Enjoy! Hope your card arrives before your trip.

 

[CarolA]

Color me green with envy! If I flew in and out of MCO more often I would sign up as well.

I do wonder though if you can be cleared if you are flagged on one of the airlines. I am "SSSS flagged" on American but have Gold Medallion status on Delta and have never once been "randomly selected for the additional search". It would almost be worth the $70 just to see if I would clear!

Enjoy! Hope your card arrives before your trip.

Not sure how it would work but it might clear you. They are asking for a LOT more ID then they require for a normal boarding pass prior to giving this to you. (Passport or other ID, permssion to do background review etc.)

 

[safetymom]

If you don't clear they don't charge your credit card. It's worth a try. It really is a wonderful program.

 

[safetymom]

Add to the list CarolA. I don't feel any safer since the TSA came along. You can sit at an airport and see all sorts of security violations.

 

[ducklite]

I've been thinking about it, I think it's time to get the ball rolling. THe lines at MCO have been terrible lately.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

Go for it Anne. You won't regret it.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I just received an email earlier this week that the Hyatt Gold Passport program is supposed to be offering Clear free to it's platinum members and discounted for the other levels. I'm patiently waiting for all the details because I've been wanting to do this for the four of us. I just can't fork over $280 right now. Hopefully it's a good discount!

 

[CarolA]

Just a warning. You can do the intial application on line, but you must appear IN person at MCO to do the final steps. Give yourself a few minutes here (I did it on landing so I wouldn't have to worry about missing a plane. Then it takes two to four weeks to get your approval. So don't think you will sign up on arrival and use it going home!

You must have TWO goverment issued IDs and one of them must have a photo. To be honest I am not sure underage passengers can even join clear, but finding two goverment issued IDs may be a challenge for a child.

 

[Lewisc]

All passengers are paying millions of dollars in 9-11 security fees. There is no excuse in not having enough screeners to accomodate demand.

I'm afraid taking care of the frequent flyer may reduce the pressure to take care of all passengers. The airlines know how many passengers are booked on each flight. Give the numbers to the TSA the day before. It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to have enough screeners to accomodate projected demand.

Maybe the TSA should go back to the old practice of not giving passengers who set off the metal detector a second chance but put them in a second line to be wanded. Maybe an "express line" for passengers that don't have carryon luggage that has to be X-Rayed.

 

[ducklite]

Just a warning. You can do the intial application on line, but you must appear IN person at MCO to do the final steps. Give yourself a few minutes here (I did it on landing so I wouldn't have to worry about missing a plane. Then it takes two to four weeks to get your approval. So don't think you will sign up on arrival and use it going home!

You must have TWO goverment issued IDs and one of them must have a photo. To be honest I am not sure underage passengers can even join clear, but finding two goverment issued IDs may be a challenge for a child.

Thanks for the info. I'm flying on a 10:50 am flight this weekend, so maybe I'll do my online app today, and then get to MCO extra early Saturday morning for the rest of the paperwork--it beats cleaning the house... How long did the paperwork take you at MCO? Unfortunately I usually land on one of the last flights of the night, so doing it on landing won't work for me... The other option would be to go next time I"m headed to Florida Mall for a haircut. Making an "extra" trip to the airport costs me $$ in gas and tolls, so I'll try to combine...

I'm assuming my passport and DL will work for ID?

How long after you applied did you get your card?

Thanks for all the advice!!

Anne