Proposed Bill Could Do Away With Ultra-Popular Airport Program in California

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There's no denying that the security checkpoint (and the wait leading up to it) is perhaps the most agonizing part of navigating the airport. It's time-consuming, it's stressful, it's invasive- it sort of encapsulates everything negative about the air travel experience. It's no surprise, then, that many people are willing to do a lot in order to simplify and speed up their time passing through airport security as much as possible.

But certain flyers in California could soon find themselves back at the drawing board when it comes to contending with TSA lines. A new bill is being proposed that, if it passes, would essentially do away with one of the most popular nationwide airport programs within the Golden State.

That's right- according to @ktvu2 , Californian air travelers may have to say goodbye to the CLEAR airport program as it currently exists if this bill passes. California Senator Josh Newman, the bill's sponsor, told CBS Moneywatch that it's " a basic equity issue ." CLEAR membership costs $189 a year, and it, along with airport security concierge services like it, presents an unfair financial barrier to many air travelers . CLEAR members get escorted to the front of the standard line like VIPs, whereas TSA PreCheck members have their own dedicated security lanes.

"Everyone is beaten down by the travel experience, and if CLEAR escorts a customer in front of you and tells TSA, 'Sorry, I have someone better,' it's really frustrating," Newman told CBS Moneywatch .

Related: TSA Confirms the Scary Truth About People Bypassing Airport Security

As a point of clarification, Newman doesn't intend to ban CLEAR altogether, but if SB-1372 passes, CLEAR and similar programs would have to open their own dedicated security lines similar to TSA PreCheck , or else cease operation in California airports. According to CBS Moneywatch , the bill has garnered bipartisan support among California senators, as well as support from certain flight attendants ' and TSA officers' unions.

"CLEAR is nothing more than the luxury resale of upcharge of space in the airport security queue, where those who pay can skip the line at the direct expense of every other traveler," wrote James Murdock, president of TSA officer's union AFGE Local 1230.

The bill does have one big adversary to contend with, though: the airlines. Multiple air carriers are fighting the bill, including Delta and United Airlines , which have partnerships with CLEAR. These airlines claim that if CLEAR's operations in California are curtailed, they may lose revenue, which in turn would lead to increases in air fares.

What's Next for SB-1372?

A hearing for SB-1372 has been set for today, but even if the bill proceeds past this point, it's still got a long way to go before it becomes law- we've all heard the Schoolhouse Rock song . It'll be a hard-fought battle to succeed, with major airlines pushing against its implementation. However, there could be another concern that may further impede progress on this bill.

As Ryan Erik King writes for Jalopnik , allowing private companies like CLEAR to play such a " significant role in airport security " has its risks. CLEAR was already lambasted in Congress last year after the program was implicated in multiple security breaches . While one could argue that lawmakers would want to see more limitations imposed on CLEAR, King worries that forcing CLEAR to operate only within their own dedicated lanes could lead to even more security issues.

It's a bill for California air travelers to keep an eye on, regardless of how they stand on the issue. In the meantime, it doesn't look like TSA PreCheck is going anywhere - and, it's a whole lot cheaper than CLEAR. Something to consider...

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