CLEAR Membership and Other Tools for Making Air Travel More Tolerable

Obviously, I’m a little addicted to this whole traveling thing but what I really despise about air travel is the security portion. CLEAR Membership should help make passing through airport security more tolerable.

Don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciate the intention of making the experience as safe as possible, but what I don’t like including remembering to wear easy slip-off shoes, taking my laptop out of my carefully packed-to-the-gills carry-on bag, and the security wait time. CLEAR Membership should let me sleep that extra hour on mornings when I have a 6 a.m. flight. Rather than being there 2 hours ahead, I could breeze through airport security at 5 a.m. Over the years, I’ve learned developed some habits which I’m sharing and recently learned about CLEAR. All combined, these tips should make air travel more tolerable.

Tools to Making Air Travel a More Tolerable #ToolsForTravel 
When TSA put the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule into effect (liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes must be no greater than 3.4 oz, placed in 1, one-quart zip-lock bag), I wondered, why are pens excluded from the rule? I mean, pens are filled with ink and ink is a liquid, right? I’m thrilled pens are excluded but I just have to wonder why.

But, I digress…

#ToolsForTravel – Skip the Security Line with CLEAR Membership
I’m excited for having just signed up for CLEAR membership. I have several trips coming up this summer and CLEAR travelers pass through security faster because they can get to the security screening area faster. This service is available in 11 major U.S. airports with more coming soon. Check out the current list of CLEAR airports online.

And get this, CLEAR is expanding into select Major League Baseball parks around the country! AT&T Park in San Francisco is the first! CLEAR members and their families can get into the game faster with an expedited security screening process.

CLEAR membership costs $179 annually, or about $15 a month. A spouse can be added to your account for $50 and kids under 18 are free if they are traveling with a CLEAR member. To enroll in CLEAR, you must present either an US Passport or US issued Permanent Resident/Alien Registration Card PLUS an approved secondary ID (State Issued ID, Drivers License, Military ID, or Foreign Passport). All IDs must be valid, unamended, and unexpired. Members must be at least 18 years old.

Because I know you want to give it a try…

Solo Travel Girl readers can give CLEAR membership a try with a 2 month FREE trial. Visit the CLEAR membership enrollment page and enter this code: CLEAR2M11

You’ll need to provide a credit card and if you don’t want to continue your membership, before the 2 month trial is up, give CLEAR a call to cancel.

#ToolsForTravel – Other Tools for Making Air Travel More Tolerable

Maximize Space
When traveling with just a carry-on and to meet TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, I maximize space in my clear, quart-sized bag by filling old contact lens cases with my essential gels and liquids, such as hair gel, facial moisturizer and sunscreen. I use a piece of masking tape to label what is in each container. I also reduce the types of 3.4 oz liquids I carry. For instance, I’ll pack facial wipes rather than liquid facial cleanser and a shampoo bar rather than carrying traditional liquid shampoo.

Consolidate Electronics
I’ve learned when traveling with electronics in my carry-on, there are inconsistencies among domestic and international airports as to what needs to be screened separately and what can stay in the bag when being run through the X-ray. To minimize my carry-on being screened again or being hand-searched, I put all my electronics, ranging from my glucose monitor to cameras to iPad in one bag and take that out for screening.

One Bag For Essentials
Although airlines allow one carry-on and one personal item, depending on when you board, you may need to check your carry-on bag. From personal experience I’ve learned to keep all my expensive items (such as cameras and iPad), medical needs (eyeglasses, glucose monitor and medications), and any fragile souvenirs I may have picked up into one bag so I’m not quickly rummaging through both bags if I need to check a bag at the last minute.

It’s Not Sneaky, But Stealth
Here’s a stealth tool, I maximize my wardrobe for packing. No, I’m not wearing three pairs of jeans at once, but I’ll carry either my ScotteVest Travel Jacket or Vest because they have awesome pockets for my essentials, such as a pocket for my ID/passport, lip balm, iPhone, GoPro and even my iPad. I also like my ShouldIt, which is an infinity scarf with a pocket – perfect for my ID, iPhone and lip balm.

I have several tentative trips planned for the summer and two definite, one to Arkansas for a float trip on the Buffalo National River and another to Portugal on a 10-day river cruise with Viking River Cruises. Where in the world will you be going this summer? Let me know! And be sure to give CLEAR membership a try!

For more tools for travel, follow the #ToolsForTravel  conversation on social media.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CLEAR, but my love for their service is all my own!