Supposedly, with the cost of $100/year, the Clear Registered Traveler program will pre-screen you (you will be subjected to TSA’s security threat assessment), so that you can walk through their faster security lanes at airports. At some of the airports, Clear has even put in new security check kiosks so that you wouldn’t have to take off shoes or jackets.

That’s right. There is technology available to improve our ridiculously sloppy and clumsy airport security process. But no, TSA is not doing anything about it. Instead, a privately-held company is running the show and we will have ourselves an underclass of travellers who cannot pass the security assessment or pay the $100 enrollment fees.  The optimists say that the mere presence of Clear will drive up the overall quality and efficiency of airport security check for all of us, but I think that’s underestimating bureaucracy’s resistance to change.  I hope I’m wrong.