San Jose announces RegisteredTraveler launch

Press Release Source: Mineta San Jose International Airport

Mineta San Jose International Airport Plans Registered Traveler Program; Signs Deal With Verified Identity Pass (Clear(TM)) for Expedited Security Lanes
Wednesday November 30, 8:00 am ET
Enrollment to Begin Within 30 Days of Government Approval

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) announced today that it is planning to launch a registered traveler program allowing enrolled passengers to get through security faster.

SJC has negotiated an agreement with Verified Identity Pass, Inc. (Verified ID) to design and manage the fast pass service, called Clear(TM). Prior to beginning the service, the Airport intends to submit a request for approval to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). SJC is confident that the program, once presented to the TSA, will quickly be approved. Verified ID will begin enrolling travelers at SJC in Clear(TM) within 30 days of TSA approval, and will begin operating the Clear security lanes within 90 days.

SJC officials visited Orlando International Airport last summer to observe the Clear(TM) program in action and saw the benefits to Bay Area travelers. "Mineta San Jose International Airport is laying the groundwork to be the first airport in the Bay Area, the first airport on the West Coast and the second airport in the United States to roll out a program to follow the private sector model at Orlando International Airport," said Bill Sherry, Director of Aviation for Mineta San Jose International Airport.

"The program is consistent with our aim to offer cutting edge innovations whenever we can. It offers our passengers a quick, secure way through the airport security process by providing a common sense, high-tech solution -- something they can appreciate," continued Sherry. "Frequent travelers from across Silicon Valley and the Bay Area will benefit from better customer service as a result of Clear(TM)."

The program at San Jose will be completely compatible with all other programs operated by Clear(TM) or any other service provider across the country in accordance with TSA's requirements. That means that Airport customers who buy a membership at SJC will be able to use it at other registered traveler airports.

"Clear(TM) will provide an enhanced security experience for all travelers by easing the traffic at all lanes, while providing superior customer service to the Airport's most frequent fliers," said Steven Brill, CEO of Verified ID. "In launching a registered traveler program, Mineta San Jose International Airport is taking a leadership role offering travelers in the Bay Area a better experience," he explained, adding that "San Jose represents one of the country's major business travel markets with a large number of corporate headquarters located there."

On November 3, 2005, Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the TSA, announced a series of steps that his agency is taking to ensure that a fully interoperable national registered traveler program will be up and running by June 2006. "By making these arrangements now with a service provider and by crafting and submitting our plan as soon as possible to TSA," explained Sherry, "we expect to be able to launch ahead of that timetable."

Since July 19, 2005, Verified ID along with its partner Lockheed Martin Corp. has operated Clear(TM), the only registered traveler program running in the United States. Clear(TM) already has over 10,000 members currently paying a $79.95 annual fee for the service at the Orlando International Airport.

A statistical analysis recently prepared by Verified ID of the first weeks of the program in Orlando found that the biometric verification at a ClearLane(TM) takes about 14 seconds from the time a member is greeted by Clear(TM) personnel. At SJC, this new process can save a traveler as much as 29 minutes in the security line during the airport's busiest times.

Travelers who volunteer to participate in Clear(TM) are required to complete an online application, provide biometric data (fingerprint and iris images) and pass a security threat assessment with the TSA. Once approved, the traveler's biometric information is stored on a Clear Card(TM). When approaching the security checkpoint a member presents his or her card for verification at the designated ClearLane(TM) to receive expedited passage through the security screening process.

Verified ID emphasizes privacy and does not track member's movements. The company does not share or sell information to any third parties. The Clear Privacy Policy is available on the website, www.flyclear.com. Clear(TM)'s privacy practices and controls are audited regularly by an outside, independent privacy auditor. Verified ID offers members an identity theft warranty that will protect members in the unlikely event that their identity is compromised by the program.

About Mineta San Jose International Airport

Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), a self-supporting enterprise, is owned and operated by the City of San Jose. SJC served 11.1 million passengers and handled approximately 240 million pounds of air cargo in 2004. SJC has 183 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 30 nonstop destinations. The Airport generates $132.3 million in operating revenue and $4 billion in direct business spending in the local community, as well as creating 70,000 jobs in the San Jose Area. The Airport is located in San Jose, California's 3rd largest city and the nation's 10th largest city (population of 944,943).

For more Airport information, visit www.sjc.org or call Airport Customer Service at 408-501-0979. Motorists can also tune their radios to 530 AM within two miles of SJC for current information on airport traffic, parking and security.

About Verified Identity Pass and Clear(TM)

Verified Identity Pass, Inc. (Verified ID) was founded in 2003 by journalist and entrepreneur Steven Brill. Brill's partners in Verified ID include Lockheed Martin and ARINC. Clear(TM) is the first privately run Registered Traveler Program operating at a U.S. Airport. Clear(TM) has been operational since July 19, 2005, at Orlando International Airport. For more information on Clear(TM) visit www.flyclear.com.


Source: Mineta San Jose International Airport