Up First from NPR A CLEAR Path to the Front of the Line
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Aug 31, 2025 Kim Naderfein-Petersa, a producer for The Sunday Story, dives into the controversial role of the private company CLEAR in airport security. She unpacks how CLEAR allows some travelers to bypass long lines, highlighting the inequities faced by others. The discussion raises pressing questions about fairness and the moral implications of privatizing public services. Naderfein-Petersa also explores the evolution of CLEAR and the challenges of blending private interests with public safety, prompting reflection on economic inequality in access to services.
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Frustration Sparks A Viral Article
- David Zipper describes waiting in TSA PreCheck and watching Clear employees usher customers ahead of him, which sparked his frustration.
- He confronted a Clear employee and later wrote a viral Slate piece about feeling cut in line.
From Trusted Traveler To Line-Cutting Service
- Clear began as part of TSA pilots after 9/11 to identify low-risk flyers and speed screening using background checks.
- A 2008 data breach and policy changes shifted Clear's value toward line-skipping with biometrics, leading to bankruptcy and later relaunch.
Clear 2.0 Aims To Be Everywhere
- New owners relaunched Clear in 2010 focused on biometric identification and broader daily use cases like stadiums and doctors' offices.
- The company's pitch centers on a frictionless, faster experience using biometric pods and multiple verification lanes.
