As much as I love Oakland Airport, I do think that this airport security fast-track is bad for one basic reason: it’s easily defeated. All you have to do is be a terrorist who has a clean record and then register for this service. Then you get to bypass the line, and boom — you’ve just infiltrated the the system.
Still, I think that it’s a bad idea to have tiered-service at a public place like an airport. Everyone should have to go through security, regardless if you’re a CEO flying business class or an ordinary guy who always flies coach like me. I’m sick of this premium service that cater to the wealthy.
“What I didn’t understand initially was that Oakland is a big piece of the (Bay Area air travel) puzzle,” [Brill] said. “A lot of people told us that they do their business travel exclusively out of Oakland.”
Also, CEO Steve Brill? Yeah, a lot of people DO use Oakland for their business travel because it’s a small and easy-to-use airport. Also, until recently Southwest and JetBlue didn’t fly out of SFO.
Hey there – long time no see! Hope you’re well!
I had to weigh in on this, because as someone who flies over 100K miles per year, the ability to pre-screen, and have the assistance of the Clear folks as I’m going through security is HUGE, and well worth the $100/year.
It’s not a matter or wealth — it’s a matter of priorities. And shaving 20 minutes off my “commute” an average of five times per month is no laughing matter.