Do Airport ‘Clear’ Lanes Save Time?

Q: Do those new "clear" lanes I'm seeing in the airports really save enough time to make the additional expense worthwhile?

–Karen, Oakland, Calif.

A: The "clear" lanes are part of the registered-traveler programs that were set up in the wake of security tightening following 9/11. For about $200 per year, through the Clear program, you can get a sort of fast-pass card (assuming you pass a background check) that gives you access to Clear lanes. In these lanes, security is supposed to speed you through. Keep in mind, though, you still have to go through security checks.

Before deciding whether or not it's worth it, there are two things to think about: First, take a look at your travel schedule. If you're slated to travel often between Oakland, Calif., and Denver (both served by Clear), for example, it could potentially save you a significant amount of time. But if you're planning on traveling to many cities that don't have Clear lanes, you probably won't find the fast pass very useful.

Second, take a look at the how much time you might realistically expect to save. Check out the historical wait times at airports you're planning to use frequently (http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov). For example, on your average Wednesday morning from 7 a.m.–11 a.m. in Oakland, you'll average a wait of less than five minutes in either terminal. Even if the Clear program could whisk you through in two minutes, that's not a significant time savings.

So if you only travel a few times per year, it's unlikely the few minutes you save will make that $200 feel like money well spent.