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California withdraws controversial airport screening bill targeting clear

California withdraws controversial airport screening bill targeting clear
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Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

The California bill to ban CLEAR from airports has been pulled.

The proposed legislation aimed to require dedicated TSA screening lanes for CLEAR passengers, necessitating the TSA to offer and staff these lanes. Proponents of the bill argued that it was about equity, suggesting that no one should receive a better screening experience and everyone should wait equally. However, the bill would have still allowed PreCheck and priority screening lines for first-class and elite passengers.

Critics pointed out that CLEAR passengers flying coach without status would face longer lines compared to first-class customers, questioning the equity argument. They suggested that the bill was an attack on CLEAR under the guise of equity concerns, potentially worsening security experiences rather than improving them. They also noted that CLEAR members typically travel more frequently than average passengers and therefore spend more time in security lines.

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Airports and airlines opposed the bill due to the revenue they generate from CLEAR. Conversely, TSA employee and flight attendants unions supported it.

In April, CLEAR dropped its opposition when the bill was amended to limit their expansion in the state. However, they renewed their opposition when another amendment allowed airlines to continue offering priority while restricting CLEAR from doing so. This issue, combined with transportation committee staff's conclusion that dedicated TSA agents for CLEAR could not assist with non-CLEAR security lanes without violating the bill's provisions, led to the committee chairman opposing it.

(HT: @crucker)

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