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Comment by Apreche | Hacker News Reader

I really don't see Clear, TSA precheck, etc. as any different from a computer security company that also is responsible for releasing viruses and exploits into the world.

The long lines at airports don't need to exist. It's security theater. They are selling a solution to a problem of their own making.

The fact that that problem is a gateway to a necessity (for many) like air travel, puts it clearly in the category of extortion. If I were in charge, Clear's business would be outright illegal.

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The purpose of things like Clear and TSA Pre is to ensure that anyone remotely proximate to power won't experience the full unpleasantness of the TSA system. That way they'll have less incentive to challenge the system.

TSA is $75. I don’t think that’s particularly elitist or discriminatory.

To my knowledge and much to my chagrin, TSA Pre is not available for H1B holders (only lawful permanent residents - green card holders). If that’s discriminatory or not is in the eye of the beholder.

PreCheck itself bought from TSA is only available to citizens/nationals/LPRs, but nonresident citizens of a handful of other countries can get Global Entry from CBP, which includes PreCheck benefits as well as expedited immigration/customs handling.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-...

I'm not disagreeing with you in general but we do have long lines in countries where the TSA is not involved ;)

Why are you blaming Clear for the long TSA lines?

Might be a good idea to require accounts to wait a couple of days before being able to post.

I frequently create a new account so that I can post freely. I always try to post substantively, though of course a reader may disagree with this self-assessment. Were new accounts required to wait if either:

1. Create a new account every so often, so that in the event that I see a topic I’d like to comment on, I’m not precluded.

2. Just not post.

Were 2 to apply to a great many people I fear HN would be worse off. And anyway committed assholes would just take door number 1.

If you read my other comment, you can see we are 180° apart… or are we? I want a smooth path through a miserable situation, so I take the best option available.

There’s no way security lines are slow so-and-only-so that Clear may exist; slow seems inevitable.

How may I help bring about this world of line-free travel for all?

How is slow inevitable if companies like Clear can get rid of it?

I meant it seems inevitable if third-party/private solutions would not be allowed. It also seems possible a fast and efficient government solution could be developed. I don’t suppose I should hold my breath on that one, eh?

That said, I’ve noticed the lines at Global Entry are now often longer than regular ordinary passport control. Maybe put that management team on the pre-check situation.

Then you mean that a better policy would solve it, but a policy failure is inevitable. I think that's exactly what the previous poster meant: that the long lines are a result of a failed policy.

Because they raise prices.

With base TSA, every American can go through with no extra charge

Clear and PreCheck cost extra. Clear especially

There wouldn’t be PS5 shortages if every PS5 cost $1000

> I want a smooth path through a miserable situation

I want this, too - I just want it for everyone!

The misery is unnecessary, because TSA screening is worthless.

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