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A new bill being proposed in California would restrict rapid security screening company Clear from operating at the state’s airports, but its proponents say the service would effectively be used by wealthy people at the Transportation Security Administration. (TSA) argues that it raises questions of fairness given that passengers can skip ahead in line for screening by (TSA) officials.
The bill, SB-1372, is the first of its kind in the United States and would require third-party vendors like Clear to obtain their own dedicated security lanes or be barred from operating at California airports.
Clear charges members $189 a year to verify passengers’ identities at airports, allowing them to bypass TSA checkpoints. The service is used at more than 55 airports across the U.S., as well as dozens of sports stadiums and other venues, according to the company’s website. Members will verify their identity at the Clear kiosk. This is separate from his TSA pre-screening, although many Clear members utilize both services.
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Passengers use Clear kiosks, which allow for quick and secure identity verification. (Lindsay Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman is sponsoring the bill.
“When you see people who subscribe to concierge services being escorted in front of people who are waiting a long time to get to the front of the TSA line, it’s basically It’s a question of fairness.”
“Everyone is devastated by their travel experience. It’s really frustrating when Clear says to TSA, ‘Sorry, we have someone better’ while escorting the customer in front of you.”
Republican Sen. Janet Nguyen has expressed similar concerns, but does not support the bill, a spokesperson told FOX Business.
“I understand the frustration expressed in Sen. Newman’s bill,” Nguyen, who serves on the Transportation Committee, told Politico. “It becomes a battle between the haves and the have-nots, with those who can afford it jumping in front of everyone else. They may even jump in front of travelers with TSA pre-boarding passes who have gone through TSA pre-screening. .”
Six major airlines – Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Hawaiian Airlines – oppose the bill, writing a letter to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Dave Cortese this month. They argued that passing the bill would result in a loss of revenue.
They write that the service will be used more than 5 million times in California in 2023.
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Transportation Security Administration personnel at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on November 21, 2023. (Jiang Haiyun/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The airlines said the bill “not only threatens to increase prices for airlines, but would also significantly limit airports’ ability to effectively manage security checkpoint lines, resulting in a loss for California customers.” It will negatively impact the travel experience.”
A Clear spokesperson echoed the airline’s concerns.
“We will continue to work constructively with legislators, the federal government, and our airport partners to make operations at California’s airports as seamless and efficient as possible,” Ricardo Quinto said in a statement to Politico.
Supporters of the bill include the Flight Attendants Association (CWA) and unions representing transportation security workers in Oakland, Sacramento, and San Jose.
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Passengers go through TSA security screening at Los Angeles International Airport on January 10th. (Irrfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“Clear is nothing more than a luxury resale for extra space in airport security lines, where those who pay can skip the line at the direct expense of other travelers,” TSA said. said James Murdock, president of the employee union AFGE Local 1230. CBS said the local branch wrote to Cortese in a separate letter.
“While Clear may save paying customers time, non-customers are plagued by Clear’s aggressive sales tactics and long security lines while entering the critical security screening process.”
The bill was scheduled to be introduced to the California Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.
Editor’s note: This report has been updated to clarify the impact this bill would have on clearing California airports.
