Have you ever had an “SSSS” on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? In this post I wanted to take a detailed look at the significance of that. In some cases this isn’t a big deal at all, while in other cases you may have landed on some sort of a list, and get it on every flight, until you get it resolved (as happened to me back in 2017).
In this post:
What does “SSSS” on a boarding pass stand for?
“SSSS” stands for secondary security screening selection. I’m not sure if the TSA came up with the abbreviation first and then came up with words to justify it, or if it was the other way around. Simply put, an “SSSS” on your boarding pass means that you’re getting an extra thorough search when you go through security.
What causes someone to get “SSSS” on their boarding pass?
There are a variety of things that can cause you to get selected for secondary security screening. Based on my understanding:
- Sometimes it’s because the specific itinerary you’re on is unusual; this could include flights booked last minute, international one-way tickets, travel originating in “high-risk” countries, etc.
- Sometimes it’s because you’re on some sort of a list; I have no clue what causes people to get on lists, though I suspect for some people it’s because of their travel patterns, for others it’s because of their names, and for others it’s because they’re being watched more carefully for whatever reason
- Sometimes it’s completely random, and you have nothing to worry about
As a very frequent flyer, I’d say that nowadays I get “SSSS” on my boarding pass maybe a few times per year, typically on one-way international itineraries.
However, in 2017 I was getting additional screening every single time I flew. I suspect this was because of my unusual travel patterns (I traveled to some “suspicious” countries, booked a lot of one-way international flights, etc.).
Are there any signs that you’ll be subjected to additional security?
There’s no way to know when you book whether you’ll get the dreaded “SSSS.” However, if you’re going to get it, you generally won’t be able to load a mobile boarding pass, or print your boarding pass at home. Instead you’ll get an error message saying that you’ll only be able to print your boarding pass at the airport.
To be clear, just because you get that message doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get extra screening. You could also get a message about not being able to get your boarding pass in advance for a number of other reasons, especially with the complicated travel restrictions nowadays. You’ll know for sure when you print your boarding pass at the airport, and see the “SSSS” on it.
What is the secondary screening process like?
What should you expect at security if your boarding pass has “SSSS” on it? I’ll share my experience based on the last time I dealt with this in the United States, which admittedly goes back a while.
When the initial TSA agent scans your boarding pass, it will make a loud beep and a red light will illuminate. The agent will radio for a supervisor and say they have a “quad” (which I guess is the codeword for “SSSS,” with the “quad” referring to the four letters).
The TSA agent will tell you “the airline has randomly selected you for additional screening” (which is a lie), and ask you to step to the side. A TSA lead or supervisor (someone with two or three stripes on their uniform) will show up eventually and escort you to a separate lane. In my experience, they’ll typically close a lane in order for you to be screened. At a minimum, they’ll put two upside down bins around your items to separate them from everyone else’s.
The good news is that you get to cut the rest of the line, so if there are people waiting, you cut ahead of everyone. It’s the only positive aspect of the experience. 😉
Then you’ll be asked to walk through the metal detector, and then back again. Then you’ll be asked to go through the full body scanner. Then you’ll get a full body pat down (which you can choose to have in private if you want). The agent will pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the area around your crotch. The fact that they scan your body in three ways seems like a slight overkill to me, but whatever…
At this point, there will typically be at least two TSA agents involved, if not three. One will search every inch of your belongings. Not only will they look at everything, but they’ll swab your items to check them for any residue. They’ll also ask you to power on your electronics. They just need to make sure that they can turn on, so be sure you have battery power for all your electronics.
Meanwhile, typically the supervisor will take a picture of your boarding pass and ID, fill out a form, and then eventually stamp your boarding pass to indicate that you’ve been screened.
This is an important point, because when you get to the gate your boarding pass will “alarm” once again, at which point the gate agent will check to make sure the TSA “stamp” is on there. If you don’t have it then they’ll have to call the TSA to the gate. The entire screening process takes anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes, in my experience, depending on how efficient the people screening you are.
Note that you can also get a secondary search at the gate on a US-bound flight. I find that the screening process there typically isn’t quite as invasive or time consuming.
I always have a good attitude during the process. It’s not the TSA’s fault, and the agent isn’t any happier about having to perform the secondary search than I am. I’ve also dealt with some really uneducated TSA agents during the process. For example, one time the guy searching my bag found my passports, and thought they were fraudulent, because I have both a United States and German one. He didn’t understand the concept of dual citizenship.
Can you get “SSSS” if you have TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a fantastic program whereby enrolled travelers can get expedited airport screening. How does that work in relation to the “SSSS” issue?
- You can get “SSSS” even if you’re enrolled in TSA PreCheck
- If you do get “SSSS,” then you won’t receive TSA PreCheck for the itinerary where you were chosen for secondary screening
What can you do if you frequently get “SSSS?”
If you only get an “SSSS” on your boarding pass on one trip, you have nothing to worry about. As I said, I randomly get it every so often, and that’s totally normal. However, if you get this designation several trips in a row, you can assume you’re on some sort of a list.
Don’t worry, it’s not a huge deal, your life isn’t over. The way you’ll want to address this is by applying for a Redress Number. You can do so through the DHS TRIP program, which stands for Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. There you just fill out basic details sharing what you think the problem is, and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved.
I applied for a Redress Number back in 2017, and about a month later my case was reviewed and resolved. I haven’t had any major issues since.
Bottom line
Getting the dreaded “SSSS” on your boarding pass sure can be a pain. It’ll add quite a bit of time to the screening process, and is invasive, as they’ll touch every inch of you and your bag. If you just get this as a one-off thing, don’t be worried. However, if you get this several times in a row, there’s a chance you’re on some sort of a list, and may want to start the DHS TRIP process.
If you’ve gone through secondary screening in the United States, what was your experience like?
The US has the worst security, it is almost a joke. I think it's only done to justify all the hired bodies working at the TSA and CBP. I agree they do a valuable service, but really SSSS, no transit connections, taking off your shoes? what are all those fancy scanners for, it's ridiculous.
I had four S’s on my one way home from Hamberg Germany. Residue screening after taking off everything but a tee shirt and skirt. Total emptying of my backpack all residue screened and she even swabbed the bottoms of my feet. She took my nearly empty toothpaste tube away. She seemed genuinely disappointed that nothing was found.
Coming back from Costa Rica, I couldn't generate a boarding pass in the aa app as usual. I got to the airport and sure enough, I had the dreaded SSSS on the boarding pass from the agent.
After they scanned my boarding pass at boarding, I was shuffled off into another area where they swabbed my hands, my cell phone, my laptop, and searched my carry ons. It took 5-10 minutes. I have global entry,...
Coming back from Costa Rica, I couldn't generate a boarding pass in the aa app as usual. I got to the airport and sure enough, I had the dreaded SSSS on the boarding pass from the agent.
After they scanned my boarding pass at boarding, I was shuffled off into another area where they swabbed my hands, my cell phone, my laptop, and searched my carry ons. It took 5-10 minutes. I have global entry, so am a trusted traveler per US Customs.
On arrival state side, I went to the global entry kiosk, took off my glasses, got the green light and aside from a CBP officer giving me the thumbs up sign for my "let's go brandon" t-shirt, that was my only interaction with customs.
Weird.
I haven't had it in the US that I recall, but I had a secondary inspection at the gate in Japan when flying back to the US. Was already late in boarding and I was pretty ticked they wanted to go through my carryon at the gate. In Frankfurt a couple of times they did the swab of my bag. I actually have never had a good experience with Frankfurt airport. Their frisking is overly...
I haven't had it in the US that I recall, but I had a secondary inspection at the gate in Japan when flying back to the US. Was already late in boarding and I was pretty ticked they wanted to go through my carryon at the gate. In Frankfurt a couple of times they did the swab of my bag. I actually have never had a good experience with Frankfurt airport. Their frisking is overly aggressive to say the least. Don't have that issue at any other airport in the world but its happened multiple times in Frankfurt.
I can confirm that I always get it when I fly on an international one-way ticket to the US. I also always get it when I fly on an international open-jaw ticket to US, with the return segment is from another country (e.g., Canada). I never got it when I had a return ticket to the US only.
As I learned a few months ago at MUC, it means a very personal patdown, but also a strip search of your hand baggage. My backpack and carryon had to be completly emptied. My Kindle cover had to be removed from it and scanned seperately; my bag of 3 liquids - mouthwash, toothpaste, and lip balm; all travel sizes, had to be separated from the bag, and my 3 work folders and 3 magazines all...
As I learned a few months ago at MUC, it means a very personal patdown, but also a strip search of your hand baggage. My backpack and carryon had to be completly emptied. My Kindle cover had to be removed from it and scanned seperately; my bag of 3 liquids - mouthwash, toothpaste, and lip balm; all travel sizes, had to be separated from the bag, and my 3 work folders and 3 magazines all had to be separated. And all was scanned in 9 trays. And this was to fly LH F back to US. No idea why I was targeted (my KTN) was in the reservation and the UA segment indicated TSA Pre. Security theatre.
Oh, and no explosive swab of anything.
I was not the only passenger entering the US bound gates that had to suffer through this.
Flying out of Frankfurt I always have issues with their aggressive security. I find Germany to be one of the worst countries in the world to fly out of when it comes to dealing with their security. They usually swab my bags but I haven't had where you had to separate all the liquids individually. I am pretty much always flying LH F or SQ F out of Germany.
A few years ago, the SSSS kept appearing on my boarding passes when I was returning to the USA from overseas. Couldn't understand why since I already had a Known Traveler Number, as well as TSA Pre-check, so decided to research the issue. Although I still have no idea as to the "why," I learned that one can apply for a Redress Control Number (Redress Number) through the TSA/Homeland Security website. My recollection is that...
A few years ago, the SSSS kept appearing on my boarding passes when I was returning to the USA from overseas. Couldn't understand why since I already had a Known Traveler Number, as well as TSA Pre-check, so decided to research the issue. Although I still have no idea as to the "why," I learned that one can apply for a Redress Control Number (Redress Number) through the TSA/Homeland Security website. My recollection is that I had to answer a number of questions and provide further proof that I was who I claimed to be as part of the application process. Shortly thereafter, a resolution letter was received, along with a Redress Number. Subsequently, I included that Redress Number in the "Personal Profile" sections for every airline with which I have an account. Gratefully, since doing so, SSSS has not appeared on any of my boarding passes.
got it a few times not a big deal. I also had an issue with my license in Puerto Rico and I got special screening that was more of a hassle than the dreaded SSSS. At the time I worked in field service and was never sure about what "nitrate" products were around.
I got it once, coming back from Africa or Germany on a Star Alliance carrier we booked thru United. It was painless, people were very courteous. I remember a thorough search of my carry on plus a swab for explosive residue. I'm pretty sure the extra check was between the gate and the plane, not at initial screening.
I took a picture of the pass with SSSS, but (naturally) I can't find it now.
I travelled to JFK from Heathrow. No problem. Exiting JFK to Heathrow was anxiety provoking as my name was called while waiting for the flight. Somebody came over with a. Computer and went through my details again. I didn’t understand what this was about.
United was kind enough to flag me flying from Ottawa to San Antonio, even though I'd flown into Canada on an air canada flight on the same itinerary. I was flying on official government business, on a diplomatic passport and using my precheck that is linked to my security clearance. I was, ironically, in Canada for a security conference.
The Canadian security agents saw my diplomatic passport and thought the SSSS was the most...
United was kind enough to flag me flying from Ottawa to San Antonio, even though I'd flown into Canada on an air canada flight on the same itinerary. I was flying on official government business, on a diplomatic passport and using my precheck that is linked to my security clearance. I was, ironically, in Canada for a security conference.
The Canadian security agents saw my diplomatic passport and thought the SSSS was the most ridiculous waste of time they'd ever experienced. They could even see my country clearance in their system. I told them that United must hate me as much as I hate them. They had a good laugh about that.
They were friendly and I was patient and had lots of time. So, it was all fine. But what a fiasco.
Have gotten SSSS a few times on flights returning to the US, but the only time I've ever gotten it departing the US was when I flew the full Island Hopper from HNL. The process was like I experienced previously, the only frustrating part was that they said that my boarding pass needed to be reprinted at the gate, and when it was, it only printed out as one pass HNL-GUM, instead of all 6...
Have gotten SSSS a few times on flights returning to the US, but the only time I've ever gotten it departing the US was when I flew the full Island Hopper from HNL. The process was like I experienced previously, the only frustrating part was that they said that my boarding pass needed to be reprinted at the gate, and when it was, it only printed out as one pass HNL-GUM, instead of all 6 passes that I got at check-in. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep the original boarding passes, which would have been great souvenir for the Hopper.
Had this happen to me at the boarding area in London. My carry-on was swabbed and my passport given a second look over. No questions were asked. I suspect the trigger was the purchase the night before of airline tickets from LHR to MSY. We were originally schedule to cross back home on the Queen Mary, but both failed the mandatory COVID pre-boarding test in effect at that time. Adding to the intrigue was we...
Had this happen to me at the boarding area in London. My carry-on was swabbed and my passport given a second look over. No questions were asked. I suspect the trigger was the purchase the night before of airline tickets from LHR to MSY. We were originally schedule to cross back home on the Queen Mary, but both failed the mandatory COVID pre-boarding test in effect at that time. Adding to the intrigue was we had arrived in Europe via Paris several weeks earlier.
In the system, we stuck out like a sore thumb for lack of a round trip ticket and last minute purchase of a one-way ticket. We're both 60+ yrs old, so the agent didn't seem concerned once he saw who we were.
So you failed a COVID test and then went on to fly long haul the following day? That doesn't strike me as very considerate (to put it mildly).
The COVID test can show a "false positive" for up to 60+ days. Also, COVID can be as mild as sniffles or running nose. Don't believe everything you see on NBC news, it's all fake news!!
I recently got the SSSS designation when connecting in FRA for a flight to JFK. I was taken aside at the document check podium, and led to an area where I had to take out my electronics, which were swabbled, and they only patted down my legs near my ankles. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. The big question is whether this was a one-off, or will I have problems on future flights.
People are asking the wrong questions.
The question should be, has SSSS ever caught a terrorist or prevented any incident before?
And would that senator who flew with a gun to HKG get lifetime SSSS or Ted Cruz would get him into the VIP lane.
I used to get these almost every flight due to my quick turn around business trips to Central and South America. I would prepare ahead, lose fitting clothing and my bag nearly packed in cubes to try and help out the screeners. Usually it went fairly quickly unless they wanted to do the additional checks where we went to a back room and they asked all sorts of questions. That took along time.
Just curious how loose fitting clothing helps?
The unofficial excuse would be. They can feel the ball rather than tightly packed nuts which could be mistaken as concealed weapons.
T shirts and light weight baggy athletic type pants don't have any thicker areas or waistbands that they need to check closer. A quick post down and I'm done with that portion.
Flew one way from Turkey to the US as a young, single male a few years back. Had SSSS on every flight for about a month after that. It was an absolute nightmare. 10-20 mins is generous. More like 20-30. It usually involved them opening a security lane just for me. Missed flights over it. Eventually it resolved itself.
That’s how it goes when placed on the extended selectee list/blacklist: haraSSSSment for a while and then it drops off by itself.
Something must be wrong with me because I don’t mind it. I’ve been getting secondary screeening for years. I held multiple clearances in the military that included some travel restrictions for a number of years (long since expired). Coming back to the U.S. I would get the red X as soon as I scanned my passport. That let me skip the line and talk to an CBP agent for a couple of minutes and I...
Something must be wrong with me because I don’t mind it. I’ve been getting secondary screeening for years. I held multiple clearances in the military that included some travel restrictions for a number of years (long since expired). Coming back to the U.S. I would get the red X as soon as I scanned my passport. That let me skip the line and talk to an CBP agent for a couple of minutes and I was on my way. Flying out of HND last year I was taken to an area and searched. The Japanese authorities kept apologizing and neatly took everything out and swabbed it and patted me down. They then gave my wife, daughter and I a box of mints, a bottle of water and escorted us onto the plane first. I’ll take that every time.
I assume the algo determines whether someone is SSSS. Just another unneeded government big brother intrusion in our life and doesn't seem to reduce "air rage." Got it many years ago shortly after 9/11 at MCO. Got a near private strip search with TSA.
I had that once in Vegas. Because the check-in agent did not like my Italian passport.
This was still in the early days, shortly after 9/11.
At the end we had a manual body search right in front of the gate. That meant 2 drag queens, 3 people with Kaftan and me, dressed as a regular business traveler in business shirt and jeans. Everyone passed by and had a look at us. But...
I had that once in Vegas. Because the check-in agent did not like my Italian passport.
This was still in the early days, shortly after 9/11.
At the end we had a manual body search right in front of the gate. That meant 2 drag queens, 3 people with Kaftan and me, dressed as a regular business traveler in business shirt and jeans. Everyone passed by and had a look at us. But I guess most people were frightened by me - since I looked way to "normal" to be part of the strip search group. They must have thought I am the mass murderer and the others just unlucky for their outfit :)
Having SSSS on your boarding pass means TSA will make your life even more miserable. And by a lot. One time I was driving to the airport and got a call from Delta that my flight was canceled and I would miss my international connection in the other airport. They offered me to take a AA flight to my next airport to them catch the original Delta international flight. When I got to the airport...
Having SSSS on your boarding pass means TSA will make your life even more miserable. And by a lot. One time I was driving to the airport and got a call from Delta that my flight was canceled and I would miss my international connection in the other airport. They offered me to take a AA flight to my next airport to them catch the original Delta international flight. When I got to the airport I went to the AA check in and they had my boarding pass ready. Loaded with SSSS. I asked the agent and she said me changing airlines within an hour of my departure time might have triggered that. TSA was brutal. They literally got my carry on flipped inside out. They tested every piece of clothing for explosives. No need to say I was the last passenger to board the plane after the gate agent kindly allowed me in after she had closed the door.
I recently had a one way ticket from Morocco to US: CMN-DOH-JFK-LAX. When the boarding passes were issued to me in Casablanca the JFK-LAX leg on AA had the dreaded 'SSSS'. Upon landing at JFK, I needed to change the date and interestingly the SSSS disappeared off the reissued boarding pass. Felt like I discovered a loophole!
Re-printing your boarding pass on an international flight can cause a SSSS
I often get one when flying to the US, and always when I fly within and from the US. The funny thing is, it was only after February 2022 that this started happening. I guess they find the fact that I, as an American, live in Russia to be suspicious, even though I've lived here since 2013. Same at passport control in the US - I almost always get secondaried and asked the same idiotic...
I often get one when flying to the US, and always when I fly within and from the US. The funny thing is, it was only after February 2022 that this started happening. I guess they find the fact that I, as an American, live in Russia to be suspicious, even though I've lived here since 2013. Same at passport control in the US - I almost always get secondaried and asked the same idiotic questions about my activities in Russia when I enter the US. The most hilarious situation was when a CBP officer found my daughter's Russian birth certificate and my Russian residence permit in my bag and acted like me possessing them was evidence of a terrible crime.
"and for others it’s because they’re being watched more carefully for whatever reason"
And we've come to accept this like 'sometimes it rains'.
You should see the movie "The Lives of Others".
That's us now.
It’s a mark that the government or airline/airline security contractors have decided to subject the passenger with such boarding pass to a haraSSSSment screening at the security screening checkpoint(s) and/or at the gate.
How that additional “security” is conducted varies, but the worst of it is when it hits for trips departing from US airports.
As Ben says, the process on US-bound flights is much easier. I had SSSS on my BA flight originating at Heathrow to Miami. To be honest, apart from not being able to get a mobile boarding pass, the whole thing was entirely beneficial.
I got called to the gate at the same time as the group 1 passengers, and as I was travelling with my family all 4 of us were allowed through. The...
As Ben says, the process on US-bound flights is much easier. I had SSSS on my BA flight originating at Heathrow to Miami. To be honest, apart from not being able to get a mobile boarding pass, the whole thing was entirely beneficial.
I got called to the gate at the same time as the group 1 passengers, and as I was travelling with my family all 4 of us were allowed through. The extra screening took about 5 minutes - my shoes and bag were swabbed, I had to show my phone turned on, and they prodded around inside my bag for a bit. And that was it, we were pretty much the first on the plane into an empty economy cabin. Would recommend! (the screening, not economy)