FlyClear

=Flyclear= = =

Flyclear is a card that allows travelers to proceed through airport security faster than they could if they were in the regular line. You insert your card into a "verification kiosk" and then either look into the iris reader, or place your finger on the fingerprint reader. The kiosk verifies your biometrics and you will receive either a receipt or stamp that says ''You are clear." No other country has a similar card that allows a person to check-in, wthout even saying word. The FlyClear makes the flying process less confusing, less aggrevating, and hassle free. It allows you to board the plane just as smooth as the plane flies.

Description
The FlyClear program was founded by a man named Steven Brill. He is originally a law writer who graduated from Yale who has written many articles and founded the //American Lawyer// journal. The attacks on 9/11 gave him the idea to create a program that would speed up the check-in process at airports while also increasing safety for passengers. He realized that the government would not be very reliable to carry out such a plan, so he devised his own company which would do it. His decision was based upon the fact that the government's own Justice Department and Immigration and Naturalization Services could not figure out how to merge their fingerprint databases. He also figured customers would be much more likely to trust a company with this process than the government.

He created his own company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc, to inititate the project, which would require no funding from the U.S. government. The TSA would approve or reject customers as they wished.

The program got its startup in New York, and it is still in its testing stages in other airports around the country (Orlando [MCO], New York [JFK Term. 7], Indianapolis [IND], San Jose [SJC], and Cincinnati [CVG]). It has been inititated mainly for use by businessmen, or others who travel and fly frequently as a way to ease the trip without having to spend lots of time waiting in security lines. The passengers with Clear still have to walk through a metal detector, but since they've already been background checked and had their identification verified, they can save time in the airport and not have to worry about getting there hours before their plane departs.

How to join:
To become a member of Clear, one has to go through some steps of pre-screening and an application process. It is also quite costly, as one has to pay per year of membership, which is another reason why the program is mainly directed toward business people who travel frequently. First, a person must fill out an application online with usual information: full legal name, address, height, etc. Then, he must visit a kiosk either in a registered airport or at an office in registered locations, where they must present two government-issued forms of identification, with proof of identity and proof of U.S. residency. A passport is strongly recommended. A person's information is then sent to the TSA where they assess each person's information and decide whether to approve or dissaprove the applicant. Once a person is cleared, his credit card is charged a $99.95 annual fee and will receive his Clear card in the mail.

Applications
FlyClear can be applied to access these benefits:
 * Quicker passage through airport security.
 * Exclusive accesss to a "Clear" lane that is staffed by Clear professionals and its own security.
 * Exclusive customer service.
 * Less missed flights.
 * An easier and predictable flying experience.

FlyClear can also have a downside. People may fear their privacy is being intruded upon by the product's use of biometrics, but all people's personal information is kept private. Also, the FlyClear might fall into the wrong hands. If an individual was to unknowingly lose the FlyClear, that person now is vulnerable to idenity theft.However, only the person the Clear card is registered to can use it, for an additional form of identification is required upon check-in. In addition, there is always the possibility of the card malfunctioning. If the card was to malfunction and you really needed to be on the plane at that time, you probably will miss your flight.

The FlyClear card can be used at any airport with a registered traveler program with no extra costs. You can check the locations where it is currently excepted at the [|FlyClear website].

This new technology can open up all kinds of new possibilities and applications, not just for use in airports, but possibly in subways, trains, busses, or any other form of public transport system. Creating the FlyClear is one of the many ways the world is changing through technology. FlyClear is a unique and one of a kind card. By inventing the FlyClear, other countries will see the success of the card and immediatly adopt it. Just when you thought flying was getting worse and more ridiculous, FlyClear comes around and make the flying experience that more enjoyable.

FlyClear is based on an application of **Biometrics**. To sign in with the Clear card, a person can choose between verifying his identity with either an fingerprint scan or an iris image. Both are secure methods of verification, for as each person has a unique fingerprint, he also has a unique iris pattern. An iris image is different than a retinal scan, for it is less intrusive and simpler to use. To get one's iris image taken, all a person has to do is look into a screen which takes a picture of it and matches the image with one stored on the smart chip in the card. It is safe to use, and can be used while someone is wearing contacts, but glasses should be removed in order to get the best image. Four fingerprints must be taken in order to finish enrollment in the program, so when the fingerprint is tested at the airport, it can match with sets of specified points and key features on the print. Actual images of the fingerprint are not saved on the card for security purposes.

=Web Resources= [|Flyclear.com] http://www.slate.com/id/2133060/ http://www.verifiedidpass.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics =**Terminology**= Biometrics-- the study of methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits.