Just a short update the the continued meltdown of the Registered Traveler program:
A class action suit has been filed on behalf of Clear members who lost money on their passes (IDG and Wired have news on this; Wired also said Clear founder Steve Brill was fired in March).
The competing Preferred Traveler program appears in trouble. I’ve got a report that Preferred Traveler’s Jacksonville lane has closed, and the airport there has asked that the company be investigated.
(NOTE – July 7: Originally, I’d written this was a Flo lane — Flo only operates in Reno. As for Flo, when I originally wrote this, Flo made it seem like it has a network of 20 or so airports. Today, as I update, that page has finally changed to show no airports listed)
The TSA took a week and finally posted on its site and blog about the collapse. It failed to make clear the much-reduced state of Flo’s network, the fact that competing Registered Traveler companies are supposed to still accept each other’s cards or the future of Registered Traveler in the wake of a House bill seeking to make the program what it was once intended to be, an express security check.
Meanwhile, I wonder if fraud investigations should be started. More in that in a guest post I did for the Huffington Post: Registered Traveler Meltdown: Fraud Action Against Clear? Investigate The TSA?.
For past posts on the clear closure, see also:
- Clear Airport Security Program Closes Abruptly; Goodbye Flo, Too?
- TSA Stays Silent As Its Registered Traveler Program Melts Down
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Preferred Traveler in Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) has also ceased operations… Their kiosk was unceremoniously removed from the security screening area today (7/17/2009).
Fly Clear Class Action at http://www.flyclearclassaction.com
The Brand Law Firm Located in Orlando, Florida will be filing a lawsuit against Fly Clear and Verified Identity Pass, Inc. on behalf of consumers that have purchased “Clear Card” services from Fly Clear. Clear Card is a service sold to travelers that expedites the security screening process at airports, and costs approximately $199 per year. Clear Card was in use at airports such as Albany, Denver, San Francisco, and Orlando International Airport. According to its website, Fly Clear has ceased its operations as of June 22, 2009, and its Clear Lanes are no longer available. According to the Clear Card website, Fly Clear will not issue refunds to consumers.
If you have purchased a subscription to Fly Clear’s Clear Card services, please contact the attorneys at 877-407-Brand or fill out the contact form on http://www.flyclearclassaction.com
I am a member of the VIP_JAX and the preferred travelers program has officially shut down. I live in Louisville and this morning the line was closed. the TSA reps stated it is out of business. I traveled to JAX and they are also closed as of 2 weeks ago. My credit card company will be issuing me a credit but this entire sham reprehensible.