I just experienced the new TSA Touchless ID checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and am convinced this will put CLEAR out of business.
TSA Touchless ID: My First Experience
When I checked in for my United Airlines flight up to Seattle yesterday, I was asked if I wanted to opt-in to “TSA Touchless ID.” I said yes, but (at that point) was not even sure what it was. A green head showed up next to the PreCheck logo on my digital boarding pass:
When I got to LAX, I walked up the CLEAR kiosks, as I always do, and found a line of three people in front of me. A CLEAR agent walked up and scanned my boarding pass. She stopped for a moment and then said, “You have Touchless ID. It will be faster if you go over there [pointing to a special lane next to the PreCheck lane].”
I said thank you and walked over.
An airport agent verified my boarding pass to ensure I was in the proper line, then told me to walk through.
I walked up to the TSA agent and stopped, staring into the camera. A few seconds later, he told me, “Go ahead. You’re good to go.”
It was that easy! No boarding pass. No ID.
In other words, this will put CLEAR out of business if it becomes more widespread becuase it is so much more efficient than having your eyes scanned or fingerprints taken, then boarding pass scanned, then having to show it to an airport TSA officer.
What is TSA Touchless ID exactly?
TSA is using facial identification to verify a passenger’s identity at its security checkpoints using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Traveler Verification Service (TVS), which creates a secure biometric template of a passenger’s live facial image taken at the checkpoint and matches it against a gallery of templates of pre-staged photos that the passenger previously provided to the government (e.g., U.S. Passport or Visa).
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of US Senators has urged caution on this program.
The potential for misuse of this technology extends far beyond airport security checkpoints. Once Americans become accustomed to government facial recognition scans, it will be that much easier for the government to scan citizens’ faces everywhere, from entry into government buildings to passive surveillance on public property like parks, schools, and sidewalks.
I think those concerns are valid, though I also think the ship has sailed in terms of privacy.
In any case, it was a very easy breeze through security yesterday.
I didn’t even set off the machine!
> Read More: I Got “Felt Up” By The TSA After Body Scanner Detects Suspicious Package
I never understood the Clear business model. Paying multiple employees to stand around waiting for a few customers. I see it in Vegas and it’s no faster than regular PreCheck.
Maybe it’s faster in other cities but as you said, this could put them out of business.
The best lanes in Las Vegas and Denver are FIRST-CLASS/PREMIUM. Seldom used and not really promoted.
Looks like the same tech that Global Entry arrivals have?
I would cry about invasion of privacy, but then again I’m sure my smartphone has taken endless amounts of phots/scans of my face already. Welp
I’ve had CLEAR since it was originally launched and do not plan on renewing. TSA Pre-check is now faster even without touchless ID. The last 2 times I’ve traveled, I got out of the CLEAR lane and went to the Pre-Check lane and was through quicker than if I remained in the CLEAR line. They no longer provide value.
I 100% agree with you and will be doing the same when my renewal comes up.
Really depends on the airport. Denver for example is the single worst precheck I have ever seen and this was off season travel. I can only imagine holidays.
This is how Nexus/(Global Entry?) works when going from Montréal to the US. Face scan and you are good to go.
I do not trust Clear. The reason: in at least one past bankruptcy suit Clear claimed your biometric data as their asset. In other words they own your biometric data.
I fully agree. Where did my pre-BK paid membership data go when they went BK? Now that Clear is owned by the airlines, I trust them even less. Adding in the fact that California wants to ban Clear, their value proposition is becoming less “clear”.
These same Senators that rubber stamped the renewal of FISA allowing the government to spy on Americans without cause or warrant suddenly are concerned with your privacy? Absolutely comical.
I used CLEAR about 6 weeks ago at JFK en route to Singapore. It was a complete waste of time – lots of machines to try to get new customers and very little service for existing customers such as I. I think they are desperately trying to hook other customers as their market model dies.
This should be all across the US Southern border 🙂
Would be less The Bracelet Boys. Wait a minute! They only come to Make America(USA) Great Again.
In peacful countries(Brazil, Colombia) you can take liquids to the plane, no shoes off and everything is civilized.
Clear is switching to facial recognition. I have already been enrolled in their facial recognition system several months ago. They have not started using it so far anywhere I have been.
I have no problem with this….I’ve had no issues with TSA precheck and had the same experience as Matthew recently at LAX. It was easy, quick and efficient. Three adjectives you don’t normally associate with the government.
The problem with BOTH Clear and Precheck is the new machines at most airports where you don’t take anything out make going through normal security –– assuming there is a backlog of passengers waiting to show their ID — just as quick as Pre and Clear.
Delta is trialing this in NYC calling it “Digital ID.” I was amazed how simple it was. Didn’t need to present anything. The only limitation for this (at least for Delta) is that you have to have a valid passport in your loyalty program, but other than that it was super simple. If this gets expanded, CLEAR is done. It’s already super hard for me to justify a whopping $180 a year as is. With this, forget about it.
Same. I was though security in literally 3 mins when I used Digital ID on a trip recently. Both Clear, which I have, and PreCheck lines had dozens of people. I was truly amazed. Only issue was I had a little water in my bottle and had to go back though lmao.
Global Entry is now creepy. Look into the camera and you are free to go afterwards.
What I don’t know is where can I declare if I am bringing a sausage or lots of purchases? I didn’t have either but I don’t know where to go if I had. The regular line?
@derek … why would anyone bring a sausage from Africa or Brazil ?
You are on the honor system to tell the person working the booth that you have food or alcohol. If you don’t and they catch you will lose your Global Entry and may not be able to renew for 10 years.
Mark Goldberg is correct. I came from the US to Canada and had to seek out a CBSA agent to tell them I had goods to declare, even though the amounts were within my allowances, I still felt compelled to tell them. I sure don’t want to lose my Nexus/GE privileges.
What a laugh. The House and Senate pass a bill for private security screening for congresspersons—so they won’t have to stand in line with the plebeians—but decry methods to make security more efficient and convenient for the masses.
I am more than eager for this to roll out. I am a huge fan of biometric boarding (it’s so much faster). It seems like previous innovations–like digital licenses–have been problematic. And I think we would all like consistency: Do I need to show my ID? Boarding card? It’s all over the place right now.
CLEAR paved the way for this, but it’s not an anachronism. They used to have charming, friendly staff. They were eager to chat, say hello, but now that’s over. On my past few trips, I have skipped the CLEAR lane because it was too long. One would think that they would be working like mad to offer a better product, but they seem to have given up.
The worst part about Clear is about 40% of the time in the last year I’ve had to show ID, which defeats the purpose of Clear. For years I never was got pulled aside for a secondary check.
This is now pretty much in use for everyone in TSA Pre departing BOS. I’ve opted out a couple of times with a minimum of fuss (so far).
Why are you opting out?
I think you are confusing this with the standard TSA ID scanner + face match.
In TSA Touchless/FaceID (Matthew’s post) – you just walk up, a photo is taken, and proceed. No handing over id. This is only in very few airport terminals right now, LAX T7 (UA) being one of them.
In standard TSA ID scanner + face match, the TSA puts your ID through a machine, a photo is taken, and a computer determines a match. Almost all airport terminals are doing this now. I always decline as it provides zero value…you’re still in the same TSA line and handover your id.
“I didn’t even set off the machine!”
That surprises me considering how “excited” you were after this worked… 🙂
Not enough information in this post, in the news, or from the TSA (surprise!) about how the data is stored and used to make an informed decision.
Problem with biometrics isn’t about how it’s captured and used and by whom. The problem is that it cannot be changed. Lose your password? Change it. Identity stolen? Change your SSN (I know it’s difficult). Change/move/close bank accounts if compromised.
No one takes a picture of your face or fingerprints and uses them in a raw manner to identify you; they are all digitized. I’m not aware of the ins and outs of any data format standardization, but your fingerprints will always remain your fingerprints, your irises will always remain your irises. They will forever be able to be abused by bad actors if compromised. THAT is why I always opt out of these measure that don’t even save you time.
I’ll see what I can find out.
The main issue with Clear or anybody holding your biometrics is that if the system is hacked, the biometric data is compromised.
In this case the digital version of the biometric.
The global FIDO biometric standard mandates that the biometric remains with the individual, in a special secure enclave of their device.
The device then authoritatively confirms to the resource that a successful biometric authentication happened.
Clear, TSA, or your bank should never hold your biometric. There simply is no need to with FIDO.
Point of order. Fingerprints as currently analyzed are not unique to you. There are at least 2 criminal Federal court cases stating so. One of the first publicly known was related to the Boston bomber case where a fingerprint found on the device was matched to an innocent man in Washington state. The FBI technician’s testimony did not help the reputation of the already troubled FBI lab.
Clear is a sham. It is nothing but a queue hop with limited capacity. The model doesn’t scale. If enough people buy it, the it breaks down. I am perfectly happy watching it crumble as it provides zero benefit for society.
Early on, UA and DL (as investors) forced it in their major hubs and compelled their elite flyers to sign up, as they got it free and resistors would just find themselves being jumped over. Interestingly both UA and DL are the trial members of FaceID TSA. Maybe they are ready to write-off their clear investment and replace the Clear lines with the TSA FaceID.
Can we also eliminate passport stamps and boarding passes while we’re at it?! It’s funny to me how very obvious it is that facial recognition is the future. I love how seamless it makes everything, but honestly even mobile BPs are 20 year old tech at this point.
They used facial recognition on my UA flight to Australia and my DL flight to AMS. DL also did it for a domestic flight I took in 2020. Neither Australia or New Zealand stamp passports for those qualifying for automated entry, which includes US citizens. We’re getting there.
Was flying through LAX yesterday as well. Wish I would t have seen you there. Would have loved to say hello. Regularly read your posts
Sounds exactly like Delta’s “Digital ID” at ATL. Its consistently the fastest line when its open.
They recently did a camera upgrade and are now using this exact same camera. Pretty sure Delta was just helping TSA pilot this all along until they got the bugs worked out.
Sure had alot of useless bodies standing around at Alanta Airport just to tell you to have your passport out. Signs were posted. Job security?
We flew tonight out of phx and I put my id through a scanner and my photo was taken and that was it. The guy never asked to see my boarding pass. Thought it was strange.
As long as CLEAR is covered by my AmEx, I’ll keep it as an option. But I wouldn’t pay $10 out of pocket for it. The whole experience has deteriorated in the past fews years in terms of both speed and quality of service. Plus I am very tall and I always have to crouch, maneuver, etc. to have my eyes line up properly so even when CLEAR is operating efficiently, I’m not. Something that seemed cutting edge when it was introduced now seems dated and cumbersome. As for data privacy. We have none. It’s that simple.
Typo ‘good to go’ as ‘going to go’.
This facial recognition ting at TSA pre-check sounds great although I’m not sure how one gets that.
Slightly off topic, but we used the Mobile Passport Control app last week while dealing with the s— show at O’Hare. It’s a little dicey having to take your picture and submitting the form after your plane lands. But, if you can get it to work and the QR code is sent to you, the massive line can be avoided. O’Hare is a nightmare as multiple flights from Europe land at the same time mid-afternoon.
I haven’t had a problem with MPC, except one caused by me. I have to remember to disconnect my phone from the plane’s wifi. It is still connected to the router when we land, but, of course, it has no internet service. After two trips in a row being frustrated it wouldn’t go through while we taxied, I hope I’ll remember next time.
Two first names on your boarding pass ? How can I get that ? I also want III included in my last name.
I’m not worried about the government having data used to recognize me. They already have my passport and license photos and my fingerprints. I’m not worried about the government knowing that I’ve been to places under their jurisdiction. What I’m worried about is them misidentifying people. It’s when they say that someone was there who really wasn’t that’s the problem.
Facial recognition makes mistakes, and it’s worse for some ethnic groups. It’s harder to get it wrong at a kiosk that looks at a face and fingerprints, which is common in many countries these days. The US is way behind, and as long as there’s no surveillance outside the scope of this, I’m not worried.
I was an early adopter when CLEAR launched at MCO. Made perfect sense then after getting behind large families who traveled maybe once a year and didn’t know the rules (laptop, keys, shoes, etc.) Forgot about them after the bankruptcy but re-upped when they resurfaced. Today, they are painfully slow and on my last trip, still had to take out my ID both ways. Value proposition is gone. If they were publicly traded, I’d short the stock big time
I’ve been given a facial scan by CBP every time I reenter the United States for the last several years against my will. They don’t ask it’s involuntary. I don’t make a stink because I want to get though and I’m usually in uniform, so I really can’t be seen taking a stand.
But I don’t think it’s right we’re giving our biometric info so easily to the government and multinational corporations. There are no data banks that are completely safe and I also don’t trust these actors as we continue to slide down the slope.
Local LEOs like to use ATL as an ATM looking for passengers headed to LAX and detain and pull a civil forfeiture on their cash, with no actual charges filed.
TSA softened us up to hand over our biometrics by making a chaotic and cumbersome and rather invasive security process. We’ll do anything to get out of the long, snaking line with intimidating K9 units poking their noses where they don’t belong as we pass.
Frankly, I’m a bit shocked how many comments are not only in favor of face scans, but enthusiastic of the idea of putting that kind of control of government and non-governmental agencies. How long until we have a social credit system and we all have to walk around with a big grin on our face?
Pre CHECK TSA is a joke…..it’s just about money now… It used to be prestigious for military state officials government workers police etc everybody and they Mama uses it and it’s just as crowded and slow as the regular check line.. Folks who have no identity with any higher echelon work… They just get online feel out some questions purchase and good to go silly….
I worked for clear and delta sky clubs and one day I told an officer I knew who is now prompted to something in the TSA this exact idea and no I am not joking this very setup is almost to my idea and the other thing is when I was working in the smallest delta sky club I talked with one of the homeland security member who I said this same idea and he sat for 45 minutes thinking about what I talked to them about and just before he got up to leave he called me over and said you know what that thought you just told me is a very good and simply smartest way to make coming to the airports better and I’mma gonna get on my flight and pass your idea along so thank you for making my layover that much more wonderful.
So if we’re all going to be identified by face, what’s the use of all these money-making security memberships? I don’t have any and never will.
Delta has had this for a while now with “Digital ID” at multiple airports including ATL, DTW, JFK, LAX, and LGA. It is way better than CLEAR for sure with a seamless and quick experience.