Registered Traveler flier-pass vendor Clear shuts down
A major vendor that fast-tracks fliers through airport security for an annual fee of $199 will end operations tonight, according to its website and a former employee, leaving hundreds of thousands of customers in the lurch.
UPDATE: No refunds, says Clear, the Registered Traveler vendor
The website of the so-called Clear program, launched by New York-based Verified Identity Pass Inc. four years ago, today carried this message:
“At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear will cease operations. Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.”
No one answered the company’s phone this evening, which simply carried the recorded message, “You’ve reached Clear Registered Traveler.”
But in a phone interview, Cindy Rosenthal, former vice president of media relations for the Clear program, confirmed that it is shutting down.
As of June 4, Clear claimed to have enrolled more than 260,000 fliers, mostly business and frequent travelers, who agreed to be vetted by the government and pay the annual fee in return for access to special airport security lanes.
— Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor
64 Comments on “Registered Traveler flier-pass vendor Clear shuts down”
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June 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
rich snots pay so they don’t have to stand in line with us poor folk, and now they’re out $200 and still have to stand in line with us. Why do I not feel their pain?
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Any ideas if people who pre-paid for multiple years of renewal will receive a refund for the unused portion of service? Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated after spending $$$$ for my husband and I!!! Is a class action lawsuit the best course of action if company files for bankruptcy?
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
They just charged my credit card $179.00 TWICE today!!!!!!!!!!!!! BS!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
WTF happens now!?!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Oddly, they just renewed my membership (and sent an email confirmation) at 1:00 am this morning. You think they would have known yesterday they were shutting down. :(
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
What will happen to customer files?
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Charlie: Get a real job and a life. For the Clear customers, Class Action is the best course. I hear several firms are putting it together now, however the assets are non-existant so don’t expect much. Best hope is TSA offering a preferred service or another private entity snatching them up and reopening. We shall see…
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Charlie - its JUST that attitude of yours that keeps us “rich folks” paying any amount of money not to be near the likes of you.
To the others, I believe when a company goes bankrupt or shuts down, your best bet is to dispute the charges with your credit card company. They should refund your money.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
“Rich snots”? Um, for some of us that pass through airline security over two hundred times a year, this is (well, was) pretty important to maintain a semblance of efficiency and sanity.
If you were only going to Disney World and got huffy about us bypassing the crowd, look at it this way: how would you like it if I (and a couple thousand other random strangers) decided to get in line to enter your business place?
The airport isn’t just a place to board a plane, it’s part of my extended office.
Bottom line, this was a useful service–that only those of us that used it paid for. Now, you’ll just have to watch us bypass you in the First Class/Elite lane for free.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Sent an email as soon as the 11:00pm message was recieved - got back an automated response. 2 questions - what happens to our data that was provided when we registered and do we get a refund for the enrollment fee.
If anyone has or gets any info, please post!
For those that were recently charged, hopefully you can call your credit card company and dispute the charges.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Charlie……are you really that broke or do you never fly? I fly 4 to 5 times a month on average, so for me it was well worth it. This way I was able to avoid all the rookie travelers who seem so surprised to have to take computers out of their bag and take off their shoes. I for one am sad to have to go back to fighting through the traveling challenged at the airport.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Any hope that the program will be reinstated? My membership was prepaid for a few years - will any of the cost be refunded to me? And what happens to all the confidential information that we had to submit?
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Charlie - not rich, I just fly a lot on a tight schedule. And, oh by the way, the money I paid put a lot of people to work. Not everything is about you, Charlie.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Along with Pam L. I too would like to know if a refund will be granted to those of us who paid for multiple years. My husband and I both are in this category thus making the impact to us doubly painful.
Contrary to Charlie’s statement, it is not not “rich snots” who paid to travel using Clear. Very immature comment.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
To Pam - call your credit card company and dispute the charge. But your class action lawsuit isn’t gonna work they are bankrupt there’s nobody to sue with any $$.
To Charlie - ha ha - looks like I’ll be in the slow lane right behind you now.
To Sarah: Call you credit card company asap.
To Lenny: Good questions since they were already responsible for a major security breach when a laptop with people’s addresses and socials went missing.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Darn!! I got the Clear card as a Christmas present last year and LOVED it! Not for the snob factor, but that it saved me tons of time at Oakland and San Francisco airports. Sometimes it was just a few minutes, but a few times I would have missed my flight without it. Oh well, at least I didn’t pay for it … and I got a lot of use out of it while it lasted…
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
This “rich snot” had renewed his membership back in Oct for 2 years. I used my Gold Amex card. I called the 800# and at first they told me that they couldn’t do anything because it has been over 60 days. The woman was nice and said let me check w/my supervisor. She got back to me and said they, Amex would cover it themselves and issue me a credit because of the amount of business I do for them (100K) a year. See Charlie, sometimes it pays to be a “rich snot!”
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
“rich snots pay so they don’t have to stand in line with us poor folk, and now they’re out $200 and still have to stand in line with us. Why do I not feel their pain?”
Business travelers that run companies and employ people like you, your friends, and family used these lanes to make their business travel easier. Use your brain, moron.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
What a shame, it was a great service.
I too am worried about all of the confidential information I provided to them, but most of all I feel for all of the dedicated people who worked for Clear and now find themselves out of a job.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Sad news. Clear Lane saved me from missing my flight on more than one occasion and saved my sanity at the airport many times. To Charlie who thinks CL was a “rich snots” game, he fails to realize that Clear was not just a privilege for a few, but actually helped businesses cut unnecessary travel expenditures due to missed flights and re-bookings, missed meetings/events. etc. These savings, I wager, saved more than a few jobs. Keeping the wheels of commerce well-oiled helps everyone. I bet someone will jump on the opportunity to re-kindle a new ‘Clear Line’ operation. Let’s hope they’re a better funded company!
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
My 11 year old daughter flies alone across the country once a month to see her father. The Clear service (available to anyone under age 12 when accompanied by a parent who is a Clear member) was a godsend when it came to creating a calm, easy and pleasant travel experience for a young solo traveler. I would have paid triple the fees for the peace of mind it allowed us on travel days.
I could live with being coined a “rich snot” as long I was helping my daughter get to her destination safely, comfortably and stress-free. It’s the thought of sticking her back in line with the likes of Charlie that causes me to consider whether or not I should start driving her back and forth and skip the airport altogether.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Bummer! Oh well, it was good while it lasted.
Oh, Charlie, some of us FlyClear customers are also platinum elite travelers who will still get to bypass you on their way to complimentary first class upgrades.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am
Considering the Registered Traveler program was created by Congress in the wake of 9/11, it would seem this to be a real opportunity for an Obama bailout, or take over! Any to get the lanes back open. Does anyone know how many people VIP employed? Time to start an email and phone campaign to your local congress representative.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:02 am
That’s the breaks, I guess, when you subscribe to a prepaid service in this economy. The issue I have is how Clear was agressively marketing people very recently (like their Fathers Day promotions) to sign up when they knew they were likely to go out of business. Perhaps they were trying to show large subscriber additions to secure financing but it still smacks of fraud.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 am
Those who bought into Clear never looked into the stability of the company behind it. I thought about it until I looked into them (much like you look into a company when buying stocks) and realized Clear and Verified Identity Pass, Inc. were essentially fly-by-night operations (bad pun, I know) that were barely staying afloat. I’m pretty certain some other company will step in the vacuum with some sort of FastPass or E-Ticket system. There’s money to be made. But as far as the 260,000+ Clear customers getting their money back - class action lawsuits or not, I think you’re just going to have to chalk that $199 annual fee as a loss unless you are successful disputing the charge (if made recently) with your credit card company.
BTW, my colleague renewed her membership in January, called MasterCard today about getting her enrollment fee back, was refused. MasterCard told her that they’d only do it if the charge was made within the last billing period.
The real issue is that we should not NEED to pay extra just to get through the airport line in one piece and with our sanity intact. The JUNK fees Airlines charge now are bad enough … you’d think TSA would have streamlined the security screening process BY NOW.
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
I’ll miss them, too - I really liked the service, and like others here, I’m not rich - I just travel a lot for business. Clear helped make that tolerable - I used to love flying, but I pretty much detest it now because of the security charade. Bypassing a lot of the BS was well worth the fee.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 am
i’ve been a member of FLY CLEAR (or clear pass) more or less from its beginning and it is, quite naturally, upsetting that they’ve suddenly ceased operations.
i fly a lot, and estimate that i routinely saved 30 minutes per trip using this system. it was a service that i appreciated, though i have noticed that in the last three months, the service has deteriorated rapidly (limited hours of operation, a visible drop in morale amongst their workers).
the privacy issue was somewhat of a concern for me. i’d like to know what will now become of my personal data.
another thing that concerns me is the fact that those of us who are (were) members should be entitled to some sort of refund for the unused portion of our contract.
i have to investigate what my options are (law suits, checking with my credit card company, etc.) but i would greatly appreciate any updates or constructive feedback here. thanks.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 am
This blows. Here is Verified Identity Pass, Inc.’ address and phone number. Keeps those cards and letters coming! maybe Steven Brill will pony up the refunds we are owed.
Verified Identity Pass, Inc.
600 Third Avenue
10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212-332-6304
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 am
Charlie - It had nothing to do with the people in the normal line… it had to do with frequent travelers gaining some efficiency. For those of us who travel frequently it was worth the extra $17.00 per flight (or better in some instances) to get the added convenience. Let me guess - you have never paid extra money for any convenience???
I just filed a dispute with my CC on the charge - I renewed on the 16th. I am hoping they haven’t sent the cash to clear yet!
Other than that… this is a bummer.. one of my favoite airport services :(
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 am
FYI to all of you out there who prepaid, both Chase (I prepaid with my United Mileage Plus Visa) and Amex (my wife prepaid with her Delta Platinum card) opened disputes against our charges when we prepaid last December, before they hiked rates again in January.
Being a college professor and a school administrator, we’re certainly not rich, but if hating having to stand behind a clueless family trying to get a stroller through the metal detector makes us snots, guilty as charged. And as Chuck already pointed out, we’ll just be passing you in the Medallion/Elite lanes now, for free!
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 am
As one of those rich snots, I have to say that I didn’t find Clear was all that much help. Sure, a couple of minutes here and there, but never enough to save me from missing a flight. Not a bad service, but not a great value, either. It was worth a try, and I don’t begrudge the cost, but frankly, I think we’d all be better off if we learned to live with first-come, first-served–and made sure it worked well for everyone–instead of trying to gain tiny advantages over the hoi polloi and sneering at each other. On the other hand, I’m not egalitarian enough to give up my first class upgrades :-)
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 am
Too bad…. and to add to the Charlie-haters club (LOL), I didnt use the service to be an elitist snob….I used it when the TSA was monstrously understaffed to handle the volume and I couldnt afford to miss my business trips. I also used it to not stand behind people who cant read basic rules & directions, and yell at the screener when they cant bring their gallon sized bottle of moisturizer or recently purchased, overpriced bottle of water in their carry ons. You dont get that kind of nonsense from seasoned travelers.
Many airports like Boston now have the Easy-Medium-Expert lines where experienced, knowledgeable travelers can go through a little faster.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
Best to write your congressman and ask him/her how TSA is going to support business travelers now that CLEAR went BK?
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:24 am
I just renewed mine at the beginning of the year. I hope someone else picks this up. There is a lot of infrastructure in existance, so hopefully it won’t be a non starter for someone with enough money and know how to continue it. I would like to get my money back, but if not, maybe get some kind of credit. I also, am not rich, just careful, and this helped me get to my flights on time.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
Just this weekend I was getting emails saying I should get my dad a Clear card for Father’s day!
I really want to know what’s going to happen to my personal data. Is it just free to whomever buys their used servers??
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 am
I fly a lot and felt guilty when Clear broke me into line in front of other travelers. But that was supposed to be a temporary transition. In the original concept Clear was to have its own dedicated lanes, which really never happened in most airports. If it had, there would not be the animosity that Charlie expresses and I felt as well.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
judging by the comments, it looks like the primary benefit of this pass-thru is the feeding of the egos of certain travellers’ feelings of extra-specialness… lol.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
wow, the “rich snots” have come out in force to let charlie know they’re better than him. very nice.
the reason us plebes think the clear system is ridiculous (and by extension, those who support it) is that the whole airport security system is f’ed up (inefficient and ineffective), but if you let certain people bypass it — typically, society’s well-off and influential people — then no one with any power to change the system ever has to experience it. and so there’s no motivation to make it better for the rest of us.
point is, i don’t hold it against any individual that they used the clear system (who doesn’t want to get through security faster?), but i do think it’s part of a larger problem, and folks who use the system ought to not forget about the proles who can’t buy our way out of the inconveniences the way our betters have.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
It’s interesting to me that Steve Brill’s name never gets mentioned in stories about the demise of Clear. A real leader would stay with the ship until the end, but Brill seems to have turned his attention (back) to the newspaper industry and paid online content. The only thing customers received was a faceless, nameless note saying their card was worthless.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 am
Charlie has a reasonable point that you all are missing (and I assume that those of you who made the really classist comments about your cool Amex’s are nice people who got riled up because some one called you snots): these security restrictions aren’t imposed by the companies but by the law. People of any income level shouldn’t be able to pay to have the law treat them differently.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am
This “rich snot” had renewed his membership back in Oct for 2 years. I used my Gold Amex card. I called the 800# and at first they told me that they couldn’t do anything because it has been over 60 days. The woman was nice and said let me check w/my supervisor. She got back to me and said they, Amex would cover it themselves and issue me a credit because of the amount of business I do for them (100K) a year. See Charlie, sometimes it pays to be a “rich snot!”
You were lucky Brian - I’ve just contacted Amex and although hugely sympathetic, they felt unable to do anything! We run about $200K through Amex annually so I think you got someone really sympathetic.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 am
It’s $200. Big deal. As one of those “rich snots”, I would pay $1000 to not wait in line with or sit next to, a dirtbag like Charlie. Oh wait….I sit in first class and Charlie, if he can even afford to fly, sit waaaaay in the back. Some more whine with your cheese, Charlie?
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
The answer isn’t and wasn’t to pay someone $200 to circumvent the system. The answer is to make the system more efficient.
I hope some of you rich folks travel outside the country every now and again and have the opportunity to see an efficient system. Hong Kong is an excellent example.
And more for you “rich” folks. My Dad always taught me never to assume because someone has money that they are smart. Thank you for proving him right.
What kind of bozo pays for something 2 years into the future? You deserve to lose your money. You were stupid.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
In this thread, rich snots are in tears at being identified as such. Somehow they manage to soldier on, and the rest of us in the slow line give them a slow clap.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 am
charlie, i think that clear actually helped expand access to the front of the line. It made it possible for anyone who thought it was worth it to get through security fast instead of being required to have tens of thousands of miles on an airline or pay the high price of a first class ticket. I am a frequent traveler, but since i only have elite status on one airline, it was worth it to me to pay for it for travel across all airlines. With enough travel, the cost per trip was quite reasonable.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am
You would think that the downturn would take care of rich snots. Apparently, it’s still the poor who are paying for it.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
I disagree with the general “rich snot” type attitude, but these types of services really shouldn’t exist and I can’t say that I’m sorry to see it go as well. Improve the overall quality and speed of operations instead of shortcuts that don’t address the real problems within the system.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I just spoke with Visa (I’m not a rich enough snob to have an Amex) and filed a dispute of a charge. It turns out that Clear and their banks have an extended contract with Visa (and other credit card companies). If they fail to provide the promised services, Visa can go and take the money from the banks. They are large enough creditors to be paid. Anyone who has paid by card has this protection.
As for the inequality claim, that people should not be able to pay for different treatment under the law, I must say I do agree. However, with Clear, I had to do something that the proles didn’t have to, I had to open up my personal finances so the government could feel safe in letting me go. I’m treated differently because I gave up $$$ and privacy, not just $$$ alone.
If we are going to make the system more equitable for all, should everyone who wishes to travel be subjected to the same scrutiny, or can folks accept a price for privacy and anonymity?
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I fly four times a month. Since September the regular lines have not been bad at all. Clear did save me a few times. Now on to the elite frequent flier line. Bye, Clear.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
It is funnuy that business traveler is the same as “rich” here. And that the ones who don’t fly every week don’t get it that saving 20 minutes every week had a value. Instead chose to label us as elitists. So are people who car pool and use the left lane in rush hour elitists too? It is pwtty to even argue about it. What riles me is how as a customer they kept us. In the dark until the veru last minute.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I am a former CLEAR employee, and just as the members, sadly a lot more, we were also saden by this sudden shock. On Monday at 5pm, our lanes closed right before our eyes, with no warning, and no where to go. We all were confused, and a part of us still are confused, being as though we were not even contacted by the company letting us know that it had folded. We still have no way to contact them. So sad, you guys lost your money for membership, however thousands of us lost our jobs with nothing to fall back on. Yet, I only saw one person show sympathy for the people who helped all of you get through security(the employees). I guess the money makes us all forget. But to make a long story short, on behalf of the company, I am deeply sorry for the actions that I am still not clear about. However if I get further information, or conatact information. I will post it, after all, we all should be entitled.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
just preprint your boarding pass to PDF, open in Photoshop, “upgrade” to 1st class and get into the fast lane - it works!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Charlie don’t be such a hypocryte. A lot of people don’t have enough money to fly at all, so by your same logic (or lack of), YOU are the “rich snot”. Also, don’t be such a self centered cry baby. The flyclear program was not about making you look like a lower class person, it was about making life easier for people who have to fly in order to support their families. If you have any further complaints about “rich snots”, call 1-800-WHINEY-BABY
June 24th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I was a former clear employee as well and I recieved a voicemail saying clear has closed, and i no longer have a position at the airport. I feel sorry for everyone who lost something with clear. It really sucks because you guys lost your money and I lost my only income with no warning at all.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I am a CLEAR member, or was. I was 2 shocked and appalled, by the nameless email saying that my membership was to now worthless!! I thought it was a JOKE. As a “snot” as I was called by Charlie, I appreciated this service, and used it A LOT. Mainly because I hate to be behind the inexperienced casual traveler, that doest know how the TSA system works, or that you have to take your shoes off. This system made it easier for those that travel a lot, and made the airport security lane time predictable and livable. So “snot” I am I guess.
I do feel bad for all of the employees, such as the former employee that posted on here. I knew all of the workers that were at JFK International Terminal. And was sad that they suddenly wont have their jobs. What upsets me the most is all of the promotions they were doing just last week. I agree that they may have been trying to build their membership profiles, so that it appeared a certain way to their creditors.
I really hope that some other company picks this system up. Thank you to the poor employees that now suddenly have no work, for your assistance while CLEAR was running.
June 25th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I am a former Clear employee at MCO and also remain shocked at the suddenly defunct status of my former employer. The line was useful for many especially families who needed assistance through security and just needed a helping hand. The thing is, I suspected this was a company of empty promises when they insisted from the begginning that there would eventually be a dedicated line, and never showed progress in that areana feeling no need when they could make it day by day just having an attendant cut an uncomfortable member in line and make it work somehow, hence no need to negotiate further and pay extra. By the end (which us kids were unaware of it being so abrupt) there was an insane push for insentives, and contests based on the gathering of e-mails, and trying to sell 15 months for the price of 12. We know now, that was probably the final attempt to save a sinking ship, albiet not a viable method. I’m sorry for my fellow employees and for all the members that invested faith and money in the program, especially the ones that paid years in advance(the most being 10 years at nearly $1000). We didn’t even get notification as to the shut down other than from coworkers. I recieved a call from a friend who was working the lane when the news was dropped and was told everyone there was in tears and horror. Things will be ok, but it really does leave a sour taste in the mouths of people on boths sides of this ill-fated coin. Profit over people (or lack there of) is not a way to make things work.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Charlie - your brainless comment does not deserve reply except for the fact that maybe you will learn something just from the number of replies. A Good number of us are not rich, but travel every week and are confront by people like you that hold up the lines because you do not have a clue. We are not on Vacation we are working for a living.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Chimicles & Tikellis is investigating a potential class action 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 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 below.
Attorneys to Contact:
Joseph G. Sauder (JosephSauder@chimicles.com)
Benjamin F. Johns (BFJ@chimicles.com)
Matthew D. Schelkopf (MatthewSchelkopf@chimicles.com)
361 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041 Phone: 610-642-8500
June 26th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Chimicles & Tikellis is investigating a potential class action 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 below.
Attorneys to Contact:
Benjamin F. Johns (BFJ@chimicles.com)
Matthew D. Schelkopf (MatthewSchelkopf@chimicles.com)
361 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041 Phone: 610-642-8500
June 27th, 2009 at 9:49 am
This has lawsuit written all over it. This is part of an e-mail that came on 6/26:
Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear?
At the present time, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds due to the company’s financial condition.
Has Verified Identity Pass, Inc. filed for bankruptcy?
At the present time, Verified Identity Pass has not commenced any proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
So they don’t have any money, are not refunding memberships and ARE NOT filing Bankruptcy? This doesn’t add up. Bankruptcy seems like the only option. I also find it interesting that they were sending e-mails promotion the service right before they closed. Someone had to know what was going on. Thank God for credit card companies. Be sure to file a claim with them (see earlier post).
Good Luck former Clear members and employees. I hope the employees get their paychecks– hopefully some of you can get a job with the TSA since you have contacts there from working at the airports. We former members will miss your warm smiles, excellent service and welcoming faces. :-(
June 29th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Hey vaporland, you know you can go to jail for that right? Hope you get caught some day.
What about sueing the TSA?, it was that agency that was “overseeing” this operation and allowed this to happen.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
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
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 am
I just talked to the attorney’s at The Brand Law Firm. The Firm that is handling the Fly Class action. They were great work with and they have a huge team of working on the case on our behalf. I would suggest that everyone fills out the form on http://www.flyclearclassaction.com or emails flyclearclassaction@gmail.com to receive further information and to join the class action
I would like to say thank you to The Brand Law Firm for all the help they have given me
September 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Update on my comment on 23rd June - we submitted a claim through Amex, and within a few weeks we got a pro-rated refund. A good outcome for us. Hope the rest of you do okay.