Perhaps you have heard of the Clear passenger program. You fill out an enrollment form, pay a $99.95 annual fee, conduct an in-person interview and your credentials are sent to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) where a “security threat assessment” is run on you. If you pass, you are issued a special “Clear” card with your fingerprint embedded in it. Participating airports have a “Clear” lane in their security areas where you scan the card and your finger. You must still pass through metal detectors and your bags still must be screened.

So basically, for $100 you get to stand in a different line and scan your finger in lieu of flashing your passport. By the way, there are currently only 5 airports accepting these cards. Am I the only one who thinks this is a total scam and a waste of time and money? I’ll take my chances in the “unclear” line but if you are interested, you can find more information about the program on the Clear website:

Clear