Security at the airport and at home (San Diego Transcript)

I've been trying out the Clear card from startup Verified Identity Pass Inc. It's a card that you present at airports to allow quick passage through airport security. It costs $128 per year and works at airports that accept Clear. That includes all of those in the San Francisco Bay area plus 17 others. San Diego is not yet included, but Clear will be at the Delta gates soon. Other cities include Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Denver and New York City.

You first need to sign up with Clear online (flyclear.com) and then go to one of the airports that uses Clear to finish the registration process. You show two IDs and register your fingerprints and have your retina scanned. Once that information is processed, within a couple of weeks you'll receive by mail a Clear card with your information embedded in a chip.

To use the card, approach the Clear kiosk at the airport. They are located at each of the security points in the terminals. They'll verify your identity using the retina scan, then take your boarding pass, Clear card and license and walk you to the front of the line at the X-ray scanner, where you'll place your items on the conveyor belt to be checked and pass through as you do now.

In the several times I have used it, it has worked well. In one case there was a huge line and it saved me 15 minutes, enough time to make an earlier flight that had been delayed. My daughter, traveling on business with her boss, avoided a long security line and made her flight while her boss missed it. Whether it's for you depends on the airports you use. The biggest benefit I find in using Clear is predictability: not needing to get to an airport so early, just in case the security lines are long.

Clear has had to work with the government to gain approvals for their product and process, as well as acceptances at each airport. That in itself is quite an accomplishment, but also means a program like this is subject to the whims of the TSA and other government agencies.

But for me it's removed some of the hassles of travels and is worthwhile for the several times a month I use it.

Security at home
One of the features on my three-year old Acura that I've come to enjoy is its keyless entry and ignition feature. Walk up to the car, touch a button on the door handle to unlock it, and start the car without inserting the key. All while the key stays in my pocket. It's a feature now found on many cars and eliminates the need to find your keys in a pocket, briefcase or purse.

It can even tell the difference between my key or my wife's. This can have some unintended consequences. If my wife enters the car first from the passenger side with her key, all of the radio stations and other settings default to hers. (She thinks that's great as it reminds me to be a gentleman and open her door first.)

This keyless convenience encouraged me to look for an equally convenient way to enter my home. After surveying a number of products on the Web and in stores I found what's turned out to be a perfect solution. It's the electronic keypad lock. It replaces the keyed deadlock that sits above the doorknob or handle with an 11-key backlit keypad. Simply enter a 4-digit code into the keypad and turn the knob to unlock the door. If the entered number is incorrect the knob spins freely and won't work. To lock the door after leaving the house, enter the same code and turn the knob to engage the deadbolt.
While it comes with preset codes it's easy to change them to any number sequence; I was also able to set other numbers for a neighbor and relative to use. (You can program up to 19 numbers in all and quickly delete those you no longer need.) To set these codes requires entering a 6-digit programming number first, which is provided or can be changed to a number of your preference.

The product is designed to be an easy replacement for most deadlocks. Fortunately, the industry has standardized the hole cutouts in the door. In my case it was a snap to replace the original deadbolt with the Schlage without drilling. If I had to drill, my opinion might be different. While there were clearly written instructions provided, it was easier to follow their short and clear videos on its Web site. The installation took about 25 minutes.

The lock runs on one 9-volt battery that lasts for more than a year. Should it fail you can open up the door using a key provided with the lock. This is a product that does everything it promises and is simple both to use and install. It comes in a wide range of finishes and styles. About $120.

Another keyless door lock option

If you don't want to worry about remembering a code or fumbling for your keys, this remote-controlled deadbolt lock from Morning is another option. It's a solid brass keyed cylinder that replaces your deadbolt. To enter, use your key fob and point it at the sensors on the deadbolt and click. The deadbolt automatically unlocks allowing for a free entry. To lock it, again just point, click, and walk away. You will hear the deadbolt being thrown, meaning the door is now locked. $112 from gokeyless.com.