New Players Take Up Registered Traveler Quest

A couple of firms are attempting to revive, reinvigorate and relaunch the Registered Traveler program, which was left for dead last year following the June collapse of Verified Identity Pass. One firm, called IQueue, this month announced an agreement to launch the first expedited security checkpoint lanes at Indianapolis International Airport, while the other, Alclear, completed its nearly $6 million purchase of VIP's assets out of bankruptcy with an eye to reestablish the Clear program with at least one airport by the fall.

Alclear CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker said its Clear revival would entail the "same brand, same logo—different company." Still, she's planning some changes, with designs to streamline the enrollment process, establish a day-pass option for travelers not interested in the $179 annual membership and expand the benefits for members to include airport parking discounts, concession benefits and interoperability with other biometric-based programs. IQueue representatives also said interoperability with other RT providers also was a tenet of its approach.

"Clear didn't fail because customers didn't love it," Seidman-Becker said. "Clear failed because of a combination of unfortunate circumstances: the economic downturn, financial leverage or debt and other issues that plagued it."

Though Alclear does not intend to offer cash refunds to those spurned by its predecessor, Seidman-Becker said it would honor membership terms for nearly 160,000 former Registered Traveler participants if they opt-in to transfer their data to the new firm. Such provisions also were included in the bankruptcy court judge's order, through which the buyer would have to give former Clear members 30 days to opt out of any re-launched Registered Traveler program.

"Their membership will be made whole either when we open their city or the first time they use their card," Seidman-Becker said. "If they do not want to be made whole on their membership terms they can opt out and their data will not be transferred to us." IQueue also is making a play for former members, offering an additional six months to an annual membership.

While Seidman-Becker said Alclear is "significantly far along in discussions with certain airports," and anticipates its first to be one of the airports forced to close lanes when VIP folded, IQueue, a venture that includes RT provider FLO Corp. and biometric identification firm Cogent Inc., announced a commitment this month to launch in Indianapolis. That airport was among the first to embrace the Registered Traveler program when it opened Clear lanes in early 2007.

IQueue, with partners including transportation communications systems provider ARINC and security firm International RAM Associates, will offer introductory annual membership for $99, regularly $149.