Aug. 16, 2007

Frequent fliers will be able to avoid long security lines and get through the screening process faster when the Westchester County Airport begins the new Registered Traveler program, County Executive Andy Spano today announced.

The Registered Traveler program is being run by Clear, the largest registered traveler provider operating at U.S. airports. The program is geared to business travelers, but is open to everyone who wants a faster and more convenient way to get to their plane.

“We have been anxious to launch this service here in Westchester,” Spano said. “Getting to an airport hours before a scheduled flight to wait in a long security line can be frustrating. The customer service value of this program is tremendous. This service will not only benefit pre-registered travelers, it will also shorten the security lines for other airport passengers. It will make traveling easier for all our customers.” 

Travelers can begin the application process online at flyclear.com or they can go to the Clear kiosk at the airport, where their fingerprints and iris images are captured and their identity documents (passports and driver’s licenses) are scanned. Once this information is submitted and approved by the Transportation Security Administration, passengers will be issued a Clear biometric identity card and be able to pass quickly through designated security “fast lanes.” Clear members will still be required to pass through metal detectors and carry-on bags will continue to be X-rayed.  Members will receive their card in 2 to 4 weeks.

Clear charges an annual fee of $100 per person and children under 12 are free if they are traveling with a Clear card holder.  

The Clear program has more than 55,000 members. Clear lanes have been opened at Albany, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Orlando, San Jose and Little Rock airports and at certain terminals in Newark and JFK and will soon open at LaGuardia and San Francisco. 

 “We wanted to bring this service to our customers despite the fact that the other airports using the Registered Traveler program are much larger than the county airport,” Spano said. “Clear responded to our Request for Proposals because they recognized the potential market that this area offers and the tremendous number of business travelers that fly out of Westchester.”

About 71 percent of the county airport’s customers are business travelers.
County Legislator Ken Jenkins, chair of the Transportation Committee said, “The Registered Traveler program is the type of innovative program that balances essential safety procedures and convenience for frequent travelers. This program will foster a better travel experience for all.”

“We applaud the innovative way that the Westchester Airport has partnered with Clear,” said Steven Brill, founder and CEO of Clear.  “Now, area travelers can use Clear during Westchester’s busiest hours, as well as at the four other airports in the tri-state area and around the country that have launched the program.”  Brill added, “We are working with Westchester area corporations to conduct enrollments on site at their offices, and have already seen tremendous interest from the businesses in the region.”

Initially, Clear lanes will be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., but will be extended based on the demand for this service. The program will operate at no cost to the county.

The registration kiosk will be at the airport full-time until the end of August and then will be traveling throughout the area to businesses and corporations. Customers can also sign-up at the Clear enrollment stations at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports and at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station in New York. To find out the kiosk schedule and to begin the application process, go to http://www.flyclear.com/.