TSA's express security grounded

[Newsjock]

Source: USA Today

More than 250,000 frequent fliers who pay $200 a year to speed through airport security lines lost that privilege Monday when a company that runs the expedited lines went out of business.

Verified Identity Pass, which operates its Clear program in 18 airports, said Monday that it would shut operations at every airport by 2 a.m. ET today. The program started at Orlando International Airport in 2005 and grew to major hubs such as Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.

A statement on Verified's website said the company "had been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations." There was no information about whether enrollees would get refunds.

The announcement is a huge blow to lengthy efforts by travel groups and Congress to ease airport screening for "trusted travelers" who clear a background check.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-06-23-frequent-fliers_N.htm

[Towlie]

1. Good! It was a rotten deal anyway.

Let the rich be inconvenienced just like the rest of us.

[MindPilot]

4. "The rich"?

Very likely most of those 250,000 are regular working folks whose job involves a lot of travel.

[pattmarty]

2. AND, that's just another problem with "privatized" public services.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. My buddy who travels a lot said he doesn't use Clear.

He said his Premium pass is more than adequate to get it expedited without having to pay $200.

[zipplewrath]

5. It was kinda goofy

About the only thing it got you "through" was the long line at the screener. You still had to go through screening. You didn't get to carry anything extra on. You just got to behave a bit like flight crews.

[thecrow]

6. Verified Identity is probably laughing on its way to the bank

with its $50,000,000.00 dollars.