Early next year your travel experience at Sacramento International Airport could get a lot less tedious. By paying a fee of approximately $100 and getting pre-screened, which includes being fingerprinted, having your eyeball screened and passing a background check, you will be able to pass through a special pre-screened line at the airport, saving considerable waiting time.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently approved installation of the Clear system offered by Verified Identity Pass, Inc. at the Sacramento International Airport. This will be the second system in use in the United States. The first was installed at Orlando International Airport in Florida in July of this year and already has more than 10,000 members paying $79.95 each.

There have been no complaints about preferential treatment or privacy issues so far from Orlando. The biggest benefit reported is that pre-screened travellers no longer have to arrive at the airport an hour (or two) in advance.

But experts are concerned about invasion of privacy issues. And what's to stop a terrorist with no criminal record paying $100 and slipping through security?

Weigh in. Do you think the benefits outweigh the negatives?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive