The Fastest Way to Get Through Airport Security

Whiz through airport security and carry your mobile devices all at the same time, with these two new products.

Clear Pass for Airport Security flyclear.com

Long overdue, this new Clear Pass enables mobile executives and/or anyone who doesn't want to spend time in the long, airport security lines.

The first year of service is $100 plus a TSA vetting fee of $28 so all in all it's a total of $128. What you get for that annual fee is the ability to whiz through a special "Clear Lane," attendants and concierges to help you get through this special lane.

A two-step process is necessary to obtain the Clear badge.

The first step is to apply online. Once your application is complete then you have to get to a Clear enrollment location where you'll need to bring two forms of government-issued identification. At the location the attendant will take a photograph, take your fingerprint images and your iris images.

All of this data is needed in order for you to access the Clear Lane.

At the Clear lane, an attendant checks your boarding pass, Clear card and government-issued photo ID. Next, you insert your Clear card into the kiosk, which also verifies the fingerprint or iris image that you selected during enrollment. When everything is verified (which takes just a few seconds), you will receive a receipt indicating that you are a Clear member.

Please note here that just because you've got a Clear badge, you still have to go the same metal detectors and x-ray machines as all the other passengers. The Clear advantage is the time saved not having to wait in the security lines.

Your Clear membership may be deactivated if your security status changes as a result of a review by the Department of Homeland Security. If this does happen you'll be notified via email and issued a refund for the unused portion of your membership fee.

Currently, the Clear Lanes are available in approximately 16 airports. And there are 10 enrollment centers. Once, they get more centers and lanes up and operating it will be interesting to see how many travelers take advantage of a much shorter airport security lane.

Mobile Protector strapya.com

As the name implies, this little unique wired holder can be used to store a cellphone, PDA or any other device that you want to have access to without having to flip open a cover or unsnap a strap.

This site also carries a vast array of fun, cellphone add-ons, for the mobile executive who likes to accessorize.

Site to See

TSA blog



Another idea that is long overdue, the TSA blog, where passengers can vent. However, not everyone thinks it will work.

"This will just make it easier for them to receive complaints for them to ignore in the name of national security," says David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association.

You be the judge.

Diana Forbes is a Los Angeles-based writer and media personality. Her "Gadget Grrl" reviews appear in various national print and online publications, and she demonstrates consumer products on national and local television shows. Click here to visit her Gadgetgrrl Web site.