By Linda Tancs

If you’re an airport latecomer, frequent flier or business traveler, there’s Zen-like relief from airport security lines at your disposal.  In case you haven’t heard, a program called Clear allows registered travelers access to a special security lane to breeze through security.  The one-year-old program works like this:  you fill out an online form and then meet with a Homeland Security representative to verify your ID and select your fingerprint and iris images for your Clear card.  At a participating airport (there are 14 to date), you move through a special security lane with your ID and Clear card.  The program does not remove the need to pass through the metal detectors and x-rays, but the special lanes should theoretically cut down on your airport transit time.  So how much is all this convenience worth to you?  There’s a special first-year introductory rate of $100.  If your security “status” changes (in other words, you’re not on Santa’s good list anymore), then you’ll get a refund for the unused portion of your annual fee.  Clear encourages lobbying your state airport directors to make its program more widespread–and therefore more viable–across the country.  Learn more at www.flyclear.com.