Airport security speedup program to relaunch

NEW YORK (AP) - The Clear program, which allowed members to breeze through airport security before its operator sought bankruptcy protection last year, is expected to be up and running again by the fall.

The company was taken over by Alclear LLC, whose board includes Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When the program shut down in June, there was a lot of concern among members because of the sensitive personal data they volunteered in exchange for quick passage through security gates.

Although the former owner, Verified Identity Pass, was private, Clear had to report personal information to the Transportation Security Administration.

The TSA vowed to destroy all the information, but that data was passed, if approved by the individuals involved, was passed to Alclear.

The company said in a statement Tuesday that the subscription terms of nearly 160,000 previous members will be honored. Enrollment for new members will start this summer.

A Clear membership will cost $179 for unlimited use.