Clear Registered Traveler Lanes in Washington, D.C.

Clear, the registered traveler program, officially opened its lanes today at Reagan National and Dulles International airports in Washington, D.C. This program allows air travelers to use special security lines to speed the process after undergoing background screenings and biometric testing.

The program was unofficially tested last Friday and more than 300 members benefited from the new lanes. “It was like serving food at a new restaurant before its lights were even on or its opening was even announced,” said Clear CEO Steven Brill. “All of these people just showed up, some from DC, where we’ve already signed up about 3,500 people and others from among the more than 118,000 people who have signed up across the country and who’ve been waiting for Reagan and Dulles to get Clear. We were stunned by the demand but grateful that we were able to speed them through without a hitch. This is a great sign that the program is going to be an unprecedented success in the nation’s Capital.”

Clear members are pre-screened by the TSA and, after application approval, are provided with a card that allows exclusive access to Clear’s security lanes in various airports around the country. If you’re a member in D.C., you can also use the lanes at any other airport around the country.

Government big shots were happy to finally see the program first hand. “Finally, we have a chance to see the registered traveler program in action,” said Representative Dan Lungren, Ranking Member, Transportation Security Subcomittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. “I have always believed we could combine customer friendly innovation with a continued commitment to aviation security. This is one more step in that direction.” There were lots of other sound bites in the press release, but I’ll save you the trouble of reading them – the man is a fan of Clear.

Want in on the action? Enrollment stations can be found at the American Express Travel Office at 15th and K Streets and in the Congressional Federal Credit Union in the Longworth House Office Building. Next week, Clear will open an enrollment station in the Pentagon Federal Credit Union lobby for the convenience of Credit Union members there. Clear has also brought its enrollment kiosks onsite to area businesses and is scheduling new appointments to come onsite for area law firms, corporations, government offices and other businesses. If you’re interested in that sort of thing, check the website.

As I mentioned last week, Hyatt Hotels Platinum members can score a free Clear membership for one year.

Federal, state and local government employees receive 13 months for the price of 12 when enrolling in the Clear program. This discount is available to all first responders, emergency workers, legislators and their staffs, and law enforcement officers, among others, at the local, state and federal levels. In addition, active duty military personnel can receive free Clear cards.

Clear lanes are currently operating in airports in Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Little Rock, New York’s LaGuardia and JFK, Newark, San Francisco. You also receive reciprocal benefits in Salt Lake City.