Does CLEAR allow you to avoid the full body scanner?

Question

TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry allow passengers to more or less avoid the full-body (millimeter wave) scanners and instead use metal detectors. You also don't have to take off your shoes or take out your laptop.

This is an important benefit to many of us -- even more important than cutting the line. But TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are only offered to US citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of a restricted subset of countries. The rest of humanity is SOL.

CLEAR seems to offer a solution as you only need a USA driver's license to apply, which means F1 students or H1B workers from any country, for example, are eligible.

But I'm unclear about the benefits of CLEAR. Do you get the same pre-check benefits such as avoiding the full-body scanner if you don't have TSA Pre-Check? If you don’t, is there really that much benefit?

Answer 1

CLEAR lets you go through a shorter line and skip the ID check using biometrics (the long security line is generally the line to the ID check, so skipping it can be a major time-saver). As their site shows, it does not make any difference to the actual TSA screening; you get sent to either PreCheck or normal lines depending on whether or not your ticket qualifies for PreCheck (i.e. you're a member, the airport has PreCheck, the airline participates in PreCheck, and you gave the airline your Known Traveler Number). As for whether it's worth it, that's a matter of personal preference.

The CLEAR Travel Experience

CLEAR speeds you through the long line for ID check, and guides you to the screening line.

Enrolled in PreCheck? We’ll provide you with fast access to PreCheck screening for eligible flights.