Verified Identity Pass, Inc., the company that developed the Clear pass and Clear lanes to expedite the security process at major U.S. airports, is going out of business. In a statement its website, the company said that effective at 11 p.m. PST on June 22, it would cease operations because its parent company has been “unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.” Over the past year, the Transportation Security Administration began to significantly reduce wait times at major airports, so travelers may have seen less of a need for a Clear pass.

The company did background checks on travelers and worked with government and airport authorities to set up special security fast lines at airports. It charged travelers an annual fee for its service. Clear cards were accepted at 21 U.S. airports, including Albany, Atlanta, Boston’s Logan (Terminal A), Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, LaGuardia (Central Terminal B and Terminal D), Little Rock, New York JFK (Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7), Louisville, Newark (Terminal B1 and B2), Oakland, Orlando, Reno, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose, Washington, D.C.’s Reagan and Dulles, and Westchester.

Clear was developed several years after 9/11 by Steven Brill, a former publisher of American Lawyer Magazine and Content magazine, when he saw an opportunity to reduce wait times for travelers, especially business travelers, at major airports and avoid long security lines. Brill, the company’s former CEO, resigned in March saying he intended to “become more active in the kinds of public service and journalism pursuits that filled” his life before he started Clear. He remained as vice chairman of the company working on a part-time basis.

Separately, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) expressed disappointment to learn that the primary Registered Traveler (RT) vendor, Verified Identity Pass, which operates the Clear program, had ceased operations. NBTA urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. airlines to revitalize the RT program to provide greater efficiency and security to business travelers.

NBTA said it has supported the RT program since before its inception and has pushed for improvement and expansion over the years. “We believe this program allows for strong, safe travel and alleviates burdens that can hinder productivity while on the road,” NBTA said. “As the program’s primary provider ceases operation, we urge TSA, in cooperation with U.S. carriers, to keep the program alive and make certain it becomes a true risk-management tool for secure and efficient air travel.” NBTA also said it is hopeful Verified Identify Pass will responsibly and effectively address the security of personal data with its subscribers, many of whom are NBTA members. For the company’s statement, visit www.flyclear.com.

 

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