Frequent fliers know how investing in TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, or Clear can cut down the time you wait in airport security lines drastically. However, Clear users might not flow through those lines as seamlessly as they’re used to. The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that it will be requiring more Clear members to submit proof of identification to an airport agent.
Previously, all Clear users were able to bypass the TSA screening process by simply providing a fingerprint or iris scan at a kiosk in lieu of waiting for a TSA agent to verify their ID and boarding pass. Now, more and more Clear members will have to submit their ID and boarding pass to TSA agents on top of this step as an added security measure.
While a TSA spokesperson stated that “accurate and reliable verification of passenger identity is foundational to aviation security and effective screening by TSA,” in a statement to The Points Guy, Clear is already making steps towards a smoother travel process. Working in tandem with both the Department of Homeland Security and TSA, Clear is working to digitalize the ID-checking process, which would allow passengers to digitally send their ID from Clear directly to TSA software at airport checkpoints. Here’s hoping it gets implemented quickly!