California may ban CLEAR, allowing travelers to pay to skip TSA lines

The new US bill, the first of its kind, would ban security The filter company is clear The ban on operations at California airports comes as lawmakers target companies that pay customers to go through security before other travelers.

Sen. Josh Newman, D-Calif., a sponsor of the bill, said CLEAR effectively allows wealthy people to bypass waiting passengers. Transportation Security Administration Review Acting.

“It’s a fundamental fairness issue when you see people who subscribe to concierge services who are waiting a long time to get through the TSA queue,” Newman told CBS MoneyWatch, “Every trip, it’s really frustrating if the ClearEscorts customer is in front of you and tells TSA. , ‘Sorry, I have someone better.’

If passed, the bill would ban Clear, a private security screening company founded in 2010, from California airports. CLEAR charges members $189 per year to bypass TSA checkpoints, authenticate travelers at airports and escort them through security. The service is already in use at about 50 US airports and dozens of stadiums and other venues

Media representatives for Clear declined to comment on the proposal to ban the company from providing service in California.

“We are proud to work with nine California airports, create hundreds of jobs, share more than $13 million in annual revenue with California airport partners and serve nearly 100 airports,” the company said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. I am working Our airline and airport partners with local, state and federal governments, to ensure a safe and easy security experience for all travelers.”

Newman said his bill, SB-1372, does not seek to prohibit CLEAR from operating dedicated security lines separate from other passengers.

“This bill is not intended to penalize CLEAR or put it out of business. It seeks to create better traffic flow so that customers do not intersect with the public and create frustrating friction moments for the average traveller,” he said. “What it does is put pressure on the production line.”

‘It’s about dignity’

The legislation has the bipartisan support of Republican Sen. Janet Nguyen. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) and the union representing transportation security officers in Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose also support the bill.

AFA-CWA President Sarah Nelson said in a letter to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Dave Cortes that the bill would “require companies like Clear to operate in dedicated security lanes, separate from general travelers and travelers, thereby restoring equal access and treatment at airport security checkpoints. ” TSA PreCheck Member. ”

James Murdock, president of AFGE Local 1230, the local chapter of the TSA officers union, also weighed in. All other travelers’ fees,” he wrote to Cortez “While Clear saves its paying customers time, non-customers are subject to the effects of Clear’s aggressive sales tactics and long security queues when entering critical security processes. “

The bill is scheduled to go before the California Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, but it faces significant opposition from major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and others. Airlines claimed the measure could limit how airports manage security lines, which they said would worsen the passenger experience and hurt business.

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines all have partnerships with Clear.

But Newman is silent, calling his bill an effort to improve travel for most passengers.

“It’s about elevating the travel experience for people who don’t have the money to pay for upsell services,” Newman said, “If you have the money, this business shouldn’t come at a cost. of the average traveler.”