Chicago Midway deploys CLEAR touchless security screening

34th US airport to offer CLEAR

Chicago Midway has deployed CLEAR, the expedited security clearance service.

The airport is the the 34th in the US to offer the paid-for CLEAR. The Midway expansion comes one year after CLEAR began offering its services at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

CLEAR uses biometric identification to identify paid members and help them through the security checkpoint quickly and easily.

The system is touchless. Using facial recognition eliminates the need for passengers to hand travel documents to agents during the security screening. 

Passengers don’t get to skip security. CLEAR members are given access to expedited security lanes once their identity is verified or they get to go to the front of the security line.

How it works

Step 1: Passengers register their details and biometrics, pay an annual fee and get a CLEARcard. Passengers have to verify their ID by allowing their fingerprints and iris image to be captured and stored by CLEAR.

Passengers can do this with the help of a CLEAR Ambassador in just a few easy steps at a CLEAR pod in the airport.

Step 2: At the airport, passengers use a CLEAR kiosk to scan their boarding pass and confirm their identity with their fingerprints or irises. The kiosk verifies the passenger is the one registered.

Step 3: A CLEAR representative escorts the passenger to the front of the actual screening line.

Once enrolled, members can use CLEAR at more than 55+ major airports and venues.

The cost

CLEAR membership is $15 per month, paid annually, with the option to add up to 3 additional family members for just $50 per year. Children under 18 can use the CLEAR Lane for free when accompanied by a CLEAR family member.  After the one-time enrollment, members can begin using CLEAR immediately.

How is CLEAR different than TSA PreCheck?

CLEAR and TSA’s PreCheck program are complementary. CLEAR automates the identity check while PreCheck provides convenience during the physical screening process (by allowing passengers to keep their shoes and coat on).

CLEAR Airports

CLEAR is currently available at 34 US airports:

  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • Austin–Bergstrom (AUS)
  • Baltimore (BWI)
  • Birmingham-Shuttlesworth (BHM)
  • Boston (BOS)
  • Chicago Midway (MDW)
  • Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
  • Cincinnati (CVG)
  • Cleveland Hopkins (CLE)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Dallas Love Field (DAL)
  • Denver (DEN)
  • Detroit Metro (DTW)
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL)
  • Houston – Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
  • Houston – Hobby (HOU)
  • Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Miami (MIA)
  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP)
  • New Orleans (MSY)
  • New York – Kennedy (JFK)
  • New York – La Guardia (LGA)
  • New York – Westchester (HPN)
  • Orlando International (MCO)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
  • Salt Lake City (SLC)
  • San Antonio (SAT)
  • San Francisco International (SFO)
  • San Jose (SJC)
  • Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
  • Washington – Dulles (IAD)
  • Washington – Regan (DCA)
  • Westchester County (HPN)

N.B. Image credit: Chicago Midway

Internet links

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

CLEAR