I have written on several occasions about my experience with the Clear security program at SFO and other airports around the country. All things considered this is worthwhile for me, $100 a year to avoid lines at security checkpoints isn’t a steep price to pay for frequent travelers.

Having said that, I recognize it for what it is, a toll lane that speeds me through the security checkpoint using the same procedures everyone else uses.

Here’s a couple of updates the company emailed me about today:

• Denver is launching its Clear lanes this month.

• Oakland is launching its Clear lanes next month.

• “We have persuaded TSA to drop what we considered the illogical requirement that Clear members need to present a photo identification along with their biometrically-secure Clear cards to pass through security.”

• “We’ve announced to the homeland security industry a $500,000 “Innovation Prize” as part of our continuing effort to invest in technology that will allow TSA to modify its security process for members (by allowing them, for example, to keep shoes and outer garments on or not to have to remove laptops from carry-on baggage). The prize will go to the first industry team that comes up with a TSA-approved technology enhancement that improves throughput by at least 15% while not compromising security. And that’s on top of our ongoing effort, along with GE, to get GE’s shoe scanner through the final approval and deployment process. All of this will enable your Clear lines to move still faster.”

Lastly, Clear’s proposal to the Atlanta airport is interesting because it offers a promise for how private business can expand the service offerings at government administered facilities (in this case TSA security checkpoints) without imposing additional costs on taxpayers.

• “We’ve offered to build and finance an entirely new lane for Clear members, with the cost of the extra TSA personnel reimbursed by Clear. We stand ready to do the same at other airports, and TSA is cooperating in this major step forward.”

As long as TSA is focused on the administration of security as opposed to simply hiring more people to do the same inefficient things they have always done, well I’ll support that and compliment