Pittsburgh Airport To Offer New, Quicker Security Checkpoint Option

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh International Airport travelers soon will be able to bypass often-lengthy security lines by enrolling in a program that instantly verifies identities.

The Allegheny County Airport Authority has reached an agreement with Clear to establish a premium security screening lane at the airport. Clear uses eye or fingerprint biometrics to check identities at kiosks where boarding passes are screened.

That eliminates the need for a Transportation Security Administration officer to manually check a traveler's photo ID. Once travelers using Clear have their identities confirmed, they will be escorted by a Clear ambassador to the front of the security line - either the PreCheck or standard security lane.

Clear probably is best suited for frequent travelers, as the fee is $16 per month to use the service. Discounts are available for Delta and United airlines passengers, according to the Clear website.

More than 50 airports nationwide have Clear in place, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the largest Delta hub.