Have you ever had an “SSSS” on your boarding pass when flying? Well, unfortunately at one point I became so accustomed to getting this that I figured I’d write a guide about what to expect.
What does “SSSS” on a boarding pass mean?
“SSSS” stands for secondary security screening selection. I’m not sure if they came up with the acronym first and then came up with words to justify it, or what.
Simply put, it means 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, though best I can tell that’s the exception
I’m a super frequent flyer, and in the past I’d get subjected to additional screening maybe once every couple of months. However, in 2017 I was getting additional screening every single time I flew. I suspect this is because of my unusual travel patterns (I travel to some “suspicious” countries, book 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 won’t be able to load your boarding pass online. Instead, you’ll get a 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 that for a number of other reasons. You’ll know for sure when you print your boarding pass at the airport, and see the “SSSS” on it.
What is the U.S. secondary screening process like?
When the initial TSA agent scans your boarding pass, it will make a loud beep and a red light will illuminate. They’ll 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). They 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.
I always have a good attitude during the process. It’s not the TSA’s fault, and they’re not any happier about having to perform the secondary search than I am. I actually take it a step further and tell them that I get it multiple times a week and am familiar with the process. It saves everyone time. While I’m not usually a fan of the TSA as such, I’m not going to let it out on the frontline workers.
However, I’ve also dealt with some really dumb 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 U.S. and German one. He didn’t understand the concept of dual citizenship.
What can you do if you frequently get “SSSS?”
If you only get this on one trip, you have nothing to worry about. As I said, I’ve randomly gotten it every so often in the past. However, if you get this designation several trips in a row, you can assume you’re on some sort of a list.
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 supposedly they’ll investigate.
That’s what I did, and about a month later my case was reviewed and resolved.
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 U.S., what was your experience like?
Immediately after 9/11, for about 2 months, every time I traveled I got this. The extra security screening was fairly quick, always under 5 min. I once blurted out to the agents: “is that because I have a bloody foreign name?”. But when they told me it is not them who selected me, I just shut up. Back then I also travelled a lot on one-way tickets. After 2 months however it stopped, and never had it again (hope I am not jinxing it).
@ Daniel B. — The secondary process used to be pretty quick, but in the past year or two they made it much more thorough, sadly.
Oh boy I started travelling for work a lot when I was 18yo. I became EXP when I was 19 and did a lot of international travel. I was getting the freaking SSSS on every trip. Until one day in Miami the USCBP took me to a secondary room for questioning. The agent was a piece of smoky manure. He treated me really bad at the beginning. I guess he did it at the beginning to try to “crack” me or wear me down. After like 1 hour of explaining and he checking my work, my company, my boss, all of my flights, he apologized and said that they dont get many “kids” who travel so much for work, so it was very suspicious. After that no more SSSS!!
I did not have to apply for Reddress or anything.
🙂
@Lucky. Yes, and back then (immediately after 9/11) there was no TSA……..
My 13 year old son got it on our family’s return flight from Hawaii. He was the only one and we were all on one reservation. He has Global Entry and has no unusual travel or tickets unles you count one way interisland flights. Hoping he was one of the random ones. Will find out in April when he flies again. In this case they took him and my wife and they both had to get the extra screening that was complicated when he was carrying his older ipod that was not charged. Took them 30-40 minutes in HNL.
I thought that getting global entry would solve this problem, but I still got SSSS on my last flight. I suspected the airline put my on the SSSS list because I refused to pay for a seat assignment, and just waited to be assigned randomly. Is that possible?
Hope the redress number fixes your problem. I may look into it if I keep getting randomly selected. FYI–I’ve also travel led to Turkey in the past 2 years, in case you still think that was why you’re on a list.
I would like to add as well, if your electronics do not turn on while under SSSS screening, they will confiscate them. I travel a lot for work and have lived in some “questionable” countries and they so kindly took my apple watch because it wouldn’t turn on and was so depleted that even plugging it in wouldn’t turn it on for awhile — which only further irritated them. I
@ JL — That’s a great point, let me update my post to reflect that.
@ JK — Heh, I can promise an airline didn’t put you on the list because you didn’t want to pay for a seat assignments. Airlines aren’t *that* vindictive.
Ben, has this caused any issues when you enter the country?
@ Ken — Surprisingly have had no issues with immigration, and my Global Entry has worked as usual.
As the frequent flyer you are lucky, do you believe the extra screening process serves any validity?
I’m familiar with it, but here’s a doozy.
I was flying yyz-iah-Jan. My Yyz-Iah Flight was delayed about an hour and a half, causing me a misconnect in Houston. Once I landed late, I went to the united club to have them reprint me a new pass for the next (and last flight of the day). It had SSSS on it. No biggie though, I was already in the sterile area, and never left it.
Well Houston has the weird setup for express gates, you wait in this large atrium, and when they start boarding, you head down to a small alley to board, and they do it about T-15 (it’s almost all E145s).
So they call my flight, I head down, scan, the agent panics because i didn’t go through secondary at Houston (I never left the sterile area). Has to call security, they escort me back to a checkpoint that’s a 10 minute walk, I get he full treatment, then have to run back. By the time I get back, flight left. UA booked me the next morning, but guess who had to pay for food and hotel for the night (hint: not UA).
Still irritates me today thinking about that.
I’ve been sent to secondary screening on a Cathay flight from HKG to SFO. I am pretty sure the airline(cabin crew) flagged me and another pax in J as we were complaining about a Y class China person who kept bringing her infant to the J washroom and letting him crap in the sink. Apparently this person was known to the FAs who was also mainland Chinese. I was told by quite a few cabin Crew that this was done by the cabin crew. They usually do this to problem pax.
This is what Emirates says on their web site regarding electronic items:
What are the enhanced security measures for flights to USA, Canada and UK?
All those travelling to USA, Canada and the UK are required to switch on their electronic devices at the Dubai International airport or risk being denied access to fly. Please ensure that your electronic devices have sufficient power before reaching the airport. This is part of enhanced security measures required by the authorities of these countries.
All hand baggage is subject to screening. Screening will be done at relevant boarding gates, for flights departing to destinations in the US, UK and Canada.
Passengers who are unable to switch on their electronic devices risk being offloaded or being asked to leave behind such devices. There is no secure location to store these devices, and Emirates will be unable to bear responsibility for these items.
I flew EBL-DOH-PHL-MSY in December, so I naturally got the SSSS on the way back (in DOH). It was not at all surprising that a guy on a one-way from Iraq would get it added on his ticket. Had it on my next flight, MSY-IAH-CUN as well, but not on the flight back. Then got it again flying MSY-BOS (each way), and then it was gone again last week when I flew MSY-IAH-PBC and back. Is it gone for good? I’m sure that I will find out.
I will say that, with the exception of the first occurrence in DOH, the SSSS has actually meant that I got through security just as fast as I would otherwise.
I had SSSS last month, International SFO terminal. Early morning flight to Vancouver CA. Ticket marked SSSS. So started the drill. The telescoping handle of my small laptop bag set-off TSA’s admittedly overly sensitive scanner. This meant they needed to call an “Expert”. Took him 40+ mins to arrive. He wrote notes into an old fashion spiral notebook and said everything looked good. Ran to my flight and made it just as they were closed the door. Costs me almost an hour of stress. Ironically, I had SSSS on the return flight (Vancouver) and TSA made me walk through an additional scanner and off I went. Such a difference between the 2 SSSS security events that I wrote to TSA in frustration and they offered me the DHS TRIP program too. Haven’t had SSSS since.
Hmmmm …. why would they “let someone know” they are going to be extra scanned? Wouldn’t this make the real bad guys be aware and then pass their bags to a friend who is not flagged? I can think of so many ways to circumvent like in ben’s case pass the second passport to a friend who is not flagged to avoid questioning. I’m sure the bad hats will think of more creative ways. I think indicating to someone you’ve been tagged is silly
@ Alian — Yeah, the whole system is a bit ridiculous. I was traveling with Ford and he didn’t have “SSSS,” so he took the bigger bag so there would be less for them to search.
@ Anders — Yes and no. I think the bigger problem is that in tests the TSA has missed 95% of weapons and explosives. So they’re not keeping us safe. The additional screening is certainly a *lot* more thorough, and I think they’re much more likely to catch something with that test. That being said, I think the bigger problem is what a colossal failure the TSA is under normal conditions. They should be screening people in such a way that they’re not missing 95% of weapons and explosives.
I have 7 year old twins. A week ago one was randomly flagged in the PreCheck line for additional screening. His hands were swabbed and tested…he failed for some reason. The TSA agent started to tell me he’d have to pat him down but then stopped and called a supervisor over. The super looked at my son and said he was fine but that I’d get the pat down. But only the pat down happened, no additional scanning was done and my hands weren’t swabbed. The agent kept apologizing and saying he’d never had an under 12 flagged like this. Later in the week my other 7 year old was also flagged in PreCheck, luckily the hand swab was clear, but I held my breath until it cleared.
@Lucky
Curious how the situation went with the agent who found your two passports. I too have duall citizenship & carry both passports with all my trips both domestic & International.
I have Global Entry and both passport information is on my GE record. Last year my non-US passport was renewed and I had to pop into the GE office at SFO. Agent asked why I have two passports…and I said because I’m a dual citizen! He just laughed.
Once going through CDG security I had a dead battery in my iPad and I was sent to charge it up. After it turned on, I was allowed back through screening.
I believe I’ve had SSSS twice, both times from Geneva Switzerland to JFK. The Swiss take you from the Check In line and put you in a private room with two Swiss agents who pat you down and go through everything. You are then released for regular security screening. And finally at the gate, another agent takes you to a table where your bags searched again before boarding.
I got the SSSS on a one way CAI-AUH-NYC flight. The only time I received extra screening was when I was going through security in AUH, where I was taken to a separate line, my items were looked through, and I got a pat down. It did not take more than five minutes. When I went through CBP at AUH, I received no extra screening and was processed as a regular global entry passenger.
I’ve been SSSS’ed flying out of Canada (to the US/international) several times, but I’ve never been escorted to the front of the line or had to power on my electronics. Last time I got put through the body scanner, but I don’t think they even opened my suitcase.
My wife got one when we were flying back from Fiji. The strange/weird/sad/useless part is that she got this when she checked in but was free to wander the airport for an hour or so before being pulled aside and screened, giving her plenty of time to dispose or transfer any item she might of had to me or anyone in our travel group.
@ Melissa — I should have clarified, the procedure is typically a bit different if you get “SSSS” abroad. The procedure I outlined is exclusively what seems to happen when you get it in the U.S. with the TSA.
On my return trip from Thailand in January, I flew BKK-AUH-LAX on Etihad on miles, so I had to redeem two one way tickets. The ticket agent at BKK printed out both boarding passes. At BKK, nothing out of the ordinary happened. When I got to AUH pre-clearance, my scanned ticket beeped. I didn’t even look at the AUH-LAX ticket, and sure enough, SSSS. (Note: I am Asian, born and raised in the US. My white boyfriend was flying with the same type of ticket, but didn’t get SSSS.)
They had me wait in a separate waiting area until they called me out for additional screening. I think people were called based on boarding time, because I was called before some of the people who were already in the room. They went through everything in my bag, and threw away my travel contact solution, which had gone through five security checks on this trip. I was pat down very thoroughly, and to make it even scarier, they told me to go into a private room after the pat down. What did I have to do? Take off my jeans so that they could fondle my balls some more. SSSS in a Middle Eastern country is no joke; scariest security check ever.
I had SSSS once on a Southwest flight which was super annoying because you can’t check-in until you get to the airport so I was stuck with a C boarding position and got stuck with a middle seat.
I received a handwritten SSSS from an idiot passport control person at Vancouver as I arrived to Canada from US for a first time. I was pulled to a separate interrogation area with half a dozen tables and agents “doing” different travelers. The lady agent was extra nasty. Trashed my bags. Pulled my FBI file (she is Canadian border official, not US!), downloaded everything from my cellphone, read my SMS, email messages, opened every app and didn’t even bother to close them. Threatened to fine $1500 for an apple (which was cut in pieces and wasn’t actually illegal to have as a snack food).
After an hour and a half of insults and threats I was let go, but I’m sure never going to visit Canada or buy anything Canadian ever again.
One piece of information. According to many affected by SSSS [Nazi Germany had an infamous “SS” force, it might be connected 🙂 ] this status stays with you for 4 months in North America.
Meaning crossing any airport in US/Canada (maybe Mexico) and coming into US/Canada. I had the same experience. It was gone after 4 months. But in those 4 months I was stopped for example in HND when boarding direct flight to SFO. I was in JAL First and they panicked when I flashed RED – I was one of the only two “First”s there and they are extremely special about treating their Firsts. Literally rolling out the red carpet and making everyone else wait. No parallel boarding!
So everyone else on the gate was watching. It was a bit hilarious to me.
I realized why I was RED and as I told them they apologize dozen of times and did a 30 seconds “swipe here and there in 4 places” dance around me and send me boarding. I guess they didn’t give a crap about North America crazies’ requirements and just wanted to put a check mark – “SSSScreaned”.
In my experience, paying cash for a ticket will get you the 4S, as well. Can’t imagine why…
@Alan
FYI if you used an anti-bac hand sanitiser recently that can activate the hand swab scanner.
Awesome job documenting your experience. I get the SSSS every time I’m flying back into the US and the process is exactly as described. As for the person who said that it goes away after 4 months this is not true in my case. I have an appointment to get setup for Global Entry and thought this would resolve the issue, but looks like I need to apply for DHS Trip. Definitely interested in learning more about the outcome. Please keep us posted. Thanks
This is just some US paranoia. As foreigner there was a time I got it every single flight.
What brings you to SLC?
@ M — I was visiting Park City/Deer Valley. 🙂
I got it once flying from LHR to JKF after the interrogation at LHR Admirals when I was connecting in Heathrow.
The lounge agent doing the interrogation (British of Indian family) wasn’t particularly nice or polite and some of the questions were stupid and/or intrusive (when asked surrounded by a lot of people who were also waiting to be admitted to the lounge) so I wasn’t particularly polite to her, next thing I know is that she reprinted the boarding pass and I got the SSSS. Funnily enough I had a connection in JFK and that had the Precheck on it. It was a one off luckily but it shows that the agent can do it manually.
I got caught by the agricultural inspectors with an apple in my purse coming from EZE to MIA and afterwards I always got SSSS. Later, when I had my Global Entry interview, they asked me about it. It’s no longer happening. One apple.
‘Hmmmm …. why would they “let someone know” they are going to be extra scanned? Wouldn’t this make the real bad guys be aware and then pass their bags to a friend who is not flagged?’
It’s called security theater. It’s supposed to make everyone feel safe.
I had SSSS on EK F DXB-JFK. The extra 20 minutes of screening at the gate cost me a pre-departure glass of Dom.
Ever since I got GE back in 2015 I have been getting SSSS every time I fly into the US from outside the country. Doesn’t matter if it’s Canada, EU or middle east I get it every single time without a fail. I even have a redress number by DHS TRIP but that didn’t help. I have asked every single TSA and CBP supervisor about why the hell do I get it but no luck. I even visited CBP office for GE once at the DFW Airport for this but still no use. I have no freaking clue as to why I am getting it.
My nine year old was chosen a couple of years after 9/11 and as her mum so was I, as well as the rest of my party! They even patted down my 7 month old’s nappy…… they took 40 minutes and we missed out DEN-LAX flight which had a connection to Melbourne. The kicker? When we got to the gate, a furious attendant asked where we had been. I asked where our luggage was …. and yep…. she had to admit it was still on the departed plane……..
We’ve had it twice since, but not the last few times.
My SSSS experience is pretty similar to yours most of the time, except I can never check in at Kiosk in USA. Everytime after I scan my passport, an alert will show me to see the agent. The airline employee will check my passport and then print the dreadful ‘SSSS’ ticket. If I make redemption for myself and my husband under one reservation using my miles, sometimes the SSSS will show up on his ticket instead of mine, but both of us will go through the second screen. Most time the second screen takes extra 20 minutes or so, but one time it took 40 minutes because they were checking explosive powder everywhere from my head to toe and everything in my backpack.
One time coming back They took me to a separate room, where they took one hour to investigate everything on a computer. I was calm, but many foreigners there, some people were so nervous and were threaten to be deported.
I always arrive more than 3 hours before departure time, and always make sure I have plenty of connection time.
I lived in Kyrgyzstan for a couple years and because of that I transited through Turkey many times. Upon returning to the US I was a ‘selectee’ for my next 3 r/t flights. I was eventually told it was due to my travel habits, specifically transiting Istanbul many times.
My only advice is to go a bit early, be patient and don’t wait in line. Just go to the edge and tell one of the agents you’re a selectee.
You can purchase an “official” Texas passport at the Capital’s gift shop …
DH and I flew LAX-EZE and back in business in January. On the return I got the SSSS and he did not. We were connecting in Lima. In EZE, there was nothing – no extra screening, no patdown, nada. In LIM, I and two other passengers had our carryons “inspected” (cursory; the agent opened my camera bag to look at it and turned on my iPhone) and our hands and shoes swabbed.
Then the agent told us to sit there until the entire plane (a 787) had boarded. When I pointed out that DH was standing there waiting for me, she said that I could board as long as I boarded with him. I’ve never figured that one out. I had no issues with Global Entry upon arrival at LAX, thankfully.
I had the SSSS once before, maybe 5 years ago, so am hoping this was another random one and will not be a fixture on my boarding passes in the coming months.
So, I have read through all of these comments and I was surprised not to see two points which will probably benefit nearly all of you:
(1) If you have a frequent flyer program membership with a US airline (and a few others), you should be sure to add either your redress number or your Global Entry number into your permanent online profile (which will then transfer into your reservation if you give your frequent flier number to the airline).
(2) If you are at a kiosk or if you checked in from home and you get the SSSS, all you have to do is go to the counter and sweetly ask the agent to re-issue the boarding pass without the SSSS on it. I have done it a few times over the years with 100% success.
(3) On a related note, it is important to remember that TSA Pre-Check works for most of your travel but that 1 or 2 of every 10 segments you won’t get it.
(4) By the way, there is value in dressing up for check-in and security and being unfailingly polite and friendly. I wear a bowtie and a sports jacket if not a suit.
Wishing you better luck to all of you!
Well known that traveling through IST airport will often get you put on the SSSShit list.
Sorry, I disagree with the statement that merely travelling through IST puts you on the SSSS list. I have been to and through (in transit) Istanbul probably 30 times and this is not my experience. I agree that it could be an indication or a flag but it is not a solitary factor. As explained above, I have my own system to ensure (so far) that I do not have problems.
Just back from usa. Going out in dublin an x was on my boarding pass with ssss. As this was my first every long hall flight I didnt know what was happening. All he said was problem with finger prints and took me away to a holding room. They went through alot of questions and my phone all my contacts and my apps. This took an hour and 20 minsJust got plane by skin of teeth. Coming home was same this time I also got patted down and swabbed.
I fear we’ll see more SSSS from Canada to USA. My trip was a simple LAX-YYC-LAX. I’m Global Select. (And the airline had my frequent flier number on my ticket.) Also, I’m a frequent flyer with over 3 million miles and never had SSSS before. Lucky? Maybe, but the point is I was in a sea of grey: elders, all US citizens, looking to be over 70 that were ALL selected for the special screening. I wonder if it has to do with Trump’s travel bans? In any case, it took about an hour to get to the front of the line of selected folks and then through the very thorough process. Thank goodness I got to the airport with a lot of extra time. But none of those seniors from the U.S. looked likely to be any kind of security challenge. I’m a little younger, but have never traveled to Turkey or the middle east. No clue why I was selected, but even curiouser why all the elders got selected that day. I don’t believe our selection was random at all.
I just got my first SSSS flying from ylw sea sjc. I have a TKN which disappeared and replaced with SSSS.
I have disabilities with a lot of metal inside me so I am used to extra pat downs and I try to go through the x-ray so I don’t get the full pat down. I was really surprised how long it took and I had to go through the x-ray plus wanded and pat down. They didn’t ask that the electronics were turned on. YLW is a small airport and they didn’t examine the carry on that thoroughly. When I arrived in Seattle we were in a secure area and got through customs and immigration fast, I thought we would be going to the next gate but no they funneled everyone through another security checkpoint and with the SSSS I had to go through it again even though 90 mins before I had just had it done! They said because Canada does it differently from the USA they had to do it again. Well this time it was totally invasive they do not do a “pat down” they used the palm of their hand and run their hands down every part of your body even the bottom of my feet. I had asked for a privacy when I heard they would be using the palm instead of the back of the hand. I was humiliated even though the TSA girls were really nice and tried their best to engage me throughout the process. All my belonging were xrayed a number of times and then examined by hand even opening my travel wallet. Of course everything was swabbed. My son and husband were waiting and we barely made it to our next flight, we had an hour and 45 mins before the last flight.
I mainly travel to Canada and throughout the USA and have traveled to Australia last year, I have never traveled to the middle east and last time I traveled to Europe was over 10 years ago. So I have no idea why I got the SSSS. I don’t think I can go through that experience again and I have two more flights booked this year, one within the USA and one back to Canada.
I travel weekly for work with TSA-PRE and I got back from Cuba and I just got my first SSSS today and it was horrifying. It has never happened before and I wasn’t expecting it. The manager, who was SO annoyed with ME, explained she usually gets a prewarning the day someone subject to SSSS is coming through? It took them over an hour to swab all my things and they treated me like a criminal as I was not allowed my shoes or jacket, closing down and entire security lane and marching me around to different security machines as people stared. They also took out my ids from my belongings and matched them to my passport. My ex husband was Turkish, and I have been to turkey 4 times but 5 years ago was the most recent but I am a US citizen who travels often and never had any issue. I hate to think it but I am wondering if I am now being profiled for my “Muslim”/Turkish last name with the new administration? I am a blonde girl… pretty authentically American looking… so I’m really not sure why the sudden SSSS. So this is really all I can figure.
I got the SSSS flying from Orlando to Brazil a few months ago. The process took me between 30 to 40 minutes.
The 4Ss where hand-placed with a red stamp by the airline agent after I had a small argument with him about my seat. I always wondered if he did it on purpose or if the computer told him to mark it…
When I got to the security check the TSA agent calls over the radio and says “I have VIP treatment”. Everything else was pretty much like described in the post. There where at least 3 TSA agents around me all the time. I wasn’t sent to the room for questioning, but one of the agents seemed to be there just to question me, he was very friendly but highly inquisitive. He wanted to know why I had two passports, how and why I’d gotten the second citizenship. And why I lived in a third country.
It didn’t happened again since in the 3 or 4 times I traveled after that.
It seems that the dual citizenship also helps to get you flagged, at least quite a few of the comments mention two passports.
I’m glad I transfer all my drugs and guns by boat and highway now. No airports in years. Not worth the hassle when the DHS used undercover agents to test the TSA and 95% of the agents were able to smuggle weapons and dummy explosives past the agents. And now they’re getting even more money to not do their job (and it’s not the TSA agents that all those millions are going to, they only get 22k per year average salary). It’s all just a money scam for a few of the higher ups, nothing to do with safety, except to provide an illusion for the masses while a few gov officials line their pockets.
My partner and I recently (Feb 2017) flew back from a vacation in London. When we got to the airport I got my boarding card and it had SSSS. Debbi, my partner has worked for the airlines and told me what it was. I’ve no idea why I was selected. I’m confined to a wheelchair after an accident but they had no way of knowing that at the time. Anyway I was told by security that “The TSA has selected you for additional screening” I was wheeled into a room where a very nice male security guy went through carryon bag he didn’t turn anything on only swabbed my phone and laptop…..negative, there’s a shocker. A female agent called Claire showed up and said she would have to pat me down again nothing. They both thanked me for my understanding and apologized for holding me up. I wish TSA was as friendly.
I work for a UN-reporting NGO, a job that puts me into the worst hot-spots around the world. Two-thirds of my flights are one-way because there is generally no prescribed time that my work will take. It could be days, or it could be weeks. Syria, Yemen, Qatar, Somalia, Afghan, Pakistan, Iraq, and so on. I’ve been called-up with as little as 24 hours notice.
I’ve never once gotten the dreaded “Quad” on my boarding pass.
Just returned from Cabo- when I got the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass- San jose TSA is so unorganized – First they separated me from my family, then told me to go outside the terminal and re-enter at the end of the building were another supervisor would meet me. No one was there. More confusion, I went to the head of the line, because I did not know my gate or departure time as It was getting time consuming- Next, X-ray screened, Pass- Full Body Scan- Pass. Purse search, and cell phone power on- Pass- full body pat down- Pass….
Then no one could release me until the downstairs first “Super” would tell the upstairs “ Super” why I was detained. Next- Palms wiped,
Passed- second full body pat down, Pass- waited while the TSA agent took my boarding pass, out into the terminal???
Third full body pat down,- Pass- I stopped her in mid stream to say, “we’re done here”- TSA said I guess you are not going to fly today?
This was crazy. Finally with the help of San Jose PD, I got my boarding pass and got on the plane. Traveler beware-
This is going international too. Was on an American Airlines flight from London Heathrow to PHL and printed my boarding pass (which didn’t have SSSS on it) and bag tags at a self service kiosk. I went up to the bag drop and gave the bag agent a little attitude because he was asking me questions about my travel history and what I do for a living. He said if I didn’t want to answer questions I would have to go through a bag and body screening at the gate. I shut up and answered his questions and he crumpled up my old boarding pass and gave me a newly printed boarding pass with SSSS on it. I didn’t notice until I got close to the gate. Once I arrived and scanned my boarding pass I had to step aside and be screened again and all of my bags unpacked and swabbed. Seems like bag agents get to add people to special lists too.
From some of the comments, am I correct in saying that ticket agents can flag you with a SSSS at will? While traveling home on American from St. Lucia, my husband and I were on the priority line. Two available tickets agents took people from the economy line while we were standing waiting. We pay more than double for first/business and enjoy the perks we are entitled to by paying that price. There was a ticket agent overseeing a ticket agent who was taking bags and printing boarding passes. I went up to her and told her that two available agents took economy passengers while we were waiting for about 10 minutes. We were finally called, our bags taken and boarding passes issued. At the gate, when they called for FC passengers, we got on line to board and that’s when they told me I had the SSSS on my ticket. They separated me from my husband (he insisted on staying where he could see me and won) and I waited for the TSA agent to arrive. Every single thing in my handbag and carry-on was opened and looked at – my prescription meds included. Then came the full patdown and wand. I had to take off my shoes AGAIN and she check the bottom of my feet. 15 mins later I was allowed to get on a huge line outside on the tarmac in 90 degree weather to board. I insisted one of the gate agents accompany my husband and I to the front of the line as I paid not to have to wait on line – he did so with a nasty attitude. We also missed the complimentary cocktail before takeoff. Our tickets were purchased for full price four months before travel. Is it possible the ticket agent gave me the SSSS to “punish” me? I see no other reason for it. It really was a terrible experience.
Yes. There is no rhyme or reason to many of these I hear about and there is ALWAYS somebody (ticket agents included) who seem to be able to ‘vent’ by giving these out. One commenter said you could ask the ticket agent nicely to have it removed and they will!!! Even though they will tell you the rules are managed by the TSA and the airline never knows how or why people are selected. I don’t believe it. And will nicely ask the next time, if ever I get one again, to have it removed. I’m a world traveler and a million miler. The week that Trump announced travel bans, a whole group of elders, many of whom missed their planes because of their lack of mobility, were selected for SSSS in Canada. I don’t look elderly and one agent even expressed surprise that I was ‘selected.’ ha! Another clue that the agents really do know more about these selections than they tell us. I saw it as a bit of an adventure at the time (since I’d never before been classified SSSS, but it took ages to get cleared and I hope to never be so disrespected in the future. It should be a crime.
Got it on flight from Grand Cayman to USA. Traveled with my husband, he didn’t get it. Was separated, checked body, all carry on items taken out and piece by piece to put back. Without shoes. The whole process is the parody on checking just because the airport has only one metal detector frame and it’s was NOT WORKING because I heard no single sound when was in the separated lane and observed people going through, it’s usually something giving signal from time to time-there was nothing. Well, after that extra check were sitting long in waiting area since we arrived early and I was called through airport radio again and sent to the room where they said they will check the luggage now. There was my husbands diving gear in fact, so quick part. Was proven that airline is choosing people. ) Don’t want to be suspicious but time will show was it only one time experience or more coming. My support to all who got SSSS before, I know how it feels!
Americans are really funny. Their government is mostly responsible for 9/11 and every other terrorist attack or threat in the civilized world and they screen my grand mom! I hate flying the US and I would avoid any transit too. Keep you bloody country for yourselves and leave the rest of the word alone! The US is hell and enjoy trying to convert the rest of the word in hell.
Stalin, Hitler, and Mau are laughing and smiling in their graves. Land of the brave, and free? More like Scared, and enslaved. 9/11 was an inside job. Taxation is theft
Got the SSSS on my boarding pass a few days ago coming back from Cancun, no one else in my family of four go it. If the TSA thinks that I am a treat to aviation then we are really in trouble. I work for the government and had a whole bunch of background checks. I became a US citizen a few years back so more background checks. I am also a FAA certified remote pilot which I think require TSA, Homeland Security and FBI background checks etc. So with all this checking and not finding anything why would the TSA think I need extra screening. What a waste of money.
I just flew back from Monterrey Mexico and had the SSSS which until now I have not paid attention to and have never gotten. I do travel to Mexico several time a year and to Europe and Asia one a year. Since I never looked into the SSSS and did not know what it was I was surprised when the told me to power on all my electronics. HERE is where the problems started. I had my radar detector with me and it can only be powered by a 12 volt outlet which they do not have anywhere in security. So the supervisor said I woul need to check that one item. So I had to go back to the counter with all my belongings. So sine I cannot check only that one item I had to check my carry on bag so I decided to through all the other items in the bag and check all by my phone. When I returned to the security the supervisor asked where the other electronic items I had were. When I said I checked them he stated that he only told be to check the radar detector and that I need to go get the other items back for the airline. When I asked why we said because it was suspicious that I check items that I did not need to and so I was hiding something and they would now need to go through that checked bag. So the instigation escalated into me telling his how stupid he was and asking for another supervisor. The other supervisor agreed that checking the bag was not out of line and let me proceed with the screening process but they took their time so the entire screening tool 45 minutes and I am sure I will not get this on all my future flights.
I received this dubious distinction for the first time yesterday.
It did make the day far more stressful than it otherwise would have been, but my experience was not quite as extensive as yours. Perhaps due to my boarding pass with the SSSS being a flight originating from Germany, and thus was not conducted by our TSA.
Thankfully there was not much of a line for check-in, as online check-in is something I count on these days. When I picked up the boarding pass at the counter, the agent informed me that I was selected for secondary screening, and that I would receive a stamp on my boarding pass once completed.
I proceeded to security and showed them the SSSS marking – they had no idea what that meant and screened me per usual. This did consist of a body scan, but about everyone at Munich was going through them.
After initial screening, I proceeded through passport control, then on to my concourse. At the entrance to my concourse was another security point. Those without the SSSS mark went through the first section, which didn’t even have the xray belts turned on. These individuals just had their boarding passes checked, while those of us with the SSSS went for a second body scan.
At the second security point they were a bit more thorough. I did not receive a full-body patdown, but they did pat me down in a couple of spots where the scan highlighted. Not an intrusive pat down by any means.
Most of my belongings were able to remain in my bags, however they were much more thorough in their inspection on the xray than usual. I had two bottles right at 100ml, which they had me remove for inspection, and they swabbed the interior of both of my bags for explosives residue. Once that came back clear, I was on my way to my gate.
Another downside to this was that while I did not received the SSSS designation on my boarding pass for my domestic connecting flight, it did seem to kill my chances of PreCheck. My wife and I both have PreCheck and Global Entry, and she received PreCheck for the connecting flight after customs, while I did not. I know that it is always possible that you won’t receive it, but this was my first time not getting it, so it seems that the two were surely related.
I was going to Washington D.C. from Istanbul via Frankfurt for a one-week-vacation. In Frankfurt when they read my boarding pass they told me I was recorded as extra security or something and I was to wait behind that person. Then there were 4 or 5 people with me heading to the secondary security led by a lady holding our passports.
When I came to security point I put my every belonging to the x-ray as a usual process. They didn’t touch my body but I had a body-screen. Then the security staff made me sit down and told me to remove my shoes. He started questioning me.
His first question “what will you do in the United States?”. When he asked that I thought I might be in some trouble, because I had never experienced anything like this, and he looked serious. I said I was on a vacation for one week. Then he asked, “what would you do if I say you are not allowed?”. This was a freaking question, he was rude and serious. For once I thought they were not going to let me board the plane and maybe send me back to Turkey. I managed to stay calm and said: “I would ask ‘why?'”. He asked the same question and I answered same. Then once again and he said, “there’s no why”. Then he asked “where are you from?”, then “for the first time in the US?”. I said, “No, this is my fourth time, I’ve been there three times.”, answering all these being unable to understand anything. I stayed calm because I knew there was nothing wrong with me and I was right. Before that trip, I had been in the U.S. for three times, I even lived and worked there for 3 months on my first visit, I had lived in Canada for 6 months as well. I was just a student 22 years old. What wrong possibly could I do? I have never done anything bad, I was not a bad person and I did not have any bad intention. I had a return ticket back home. Why was I asked a lot of questions? Why that guy was so rude, I was a passenger there, and treated me as if I was a bad guy or someone to be careful about? Why I had all that process?
Then he said, “go ahead”. I was done there and head to the gate. All this process took 10 – 15 minutes. Before boarding time they called my surname from the front desk, they gave me another boarding pass. It had this SSSS on it on the right bottom, indicating that, I thought, I was someone special to be careful about. It disturbed me a lot. I returned home after a week. All in all, it freaked me out, it was a disgusting experience. This type of security is too much, in the future, it could avoid people having a desire to go to the U.S. for pleasure.
This just happened to me at Manchester, UK and I was not a happy camper. According to my research this is supposed to be an enhanced security check in the USA but this did not happen. I went through security no problems, but had issues with getting bags through xray. I don’t recommend nor will I probably ever travel through Manchester again. Heathrow appears to be better. My biggest issue is that when boarding the plane I was pulled for SSSS. They could not tell me why this was happening and I made an issue about it. Myself and about 8 other people were Pissed Off. Shoes off, check under my feet, Ipad cover had to come off, did nothing with the laptop, swabbed my person for explosives and took my Cpap machine out of the bag. WTF? Supervisor that was summoned was the same guy who checked me in for my tickets and just said it was the TSA? I don’t know but from a Management standpoint this is a total waste of manpower and Frederick Taylor, Father of Scientific Management would be rolling over in his grave. Best yet after all my ranting a woman made a hall of fame comment, she said, “She said We all feel so much safer Now?” I will be making a Congressional Inquiry to get more information and filing a complaint with Manchester Airport. Our World in the Free World can be so much better if we stand up for our rights.
I’ve had SSSS a dozen or so times, both before and after the tightened procedure.
The new procedure took 40 minutes last time, despite being “in transit”.
I was feindly and cooperative, hoping for light treatment. Nope. Every piece of paper, every garment, everything, checked and individually swabbed.
TSA are inconsistent – about 20% are cheerful and friendly. the rest, well, not.
Our company has cancelled all international business conferences in the USA, now we have them in Europe and try to avoid USA altogether, even for transit flights.
When we cancelled, the USA conference centres (Chicago, and LA) just groaned and said “yeah, you’re not the only ones, we’re losing a lot of international business.”
They may argue “you want to be safe”. Sure we do, but these procedures are unnecessarily inconsistent, often rudely or abusively executed, and seem unlikely to be effective – why strip search my 12-year old, boarding a flight after a Disney holiday? That’s hardly a high-probability potential target.
DID YOU KNOW? It’s as easy as three key strokes on the keyboard for airline employees to put you on the Terrorist Watch List, other wise known as SSSS. My flight attendant friend was kind enough to pass along this information and hope that it will be helpful! The SSSS is a USA thing meaning you resolve it with the USA ReAddress application to get off the list. You usually end up on the SSSS because you argued with someone from the airline or in my case I went to the bathroom while my aircraft taxed at SFO for 45 min and pissed off the flight attendant because I didn’t remain in my seat until we got to the gate. Of course, I have no proof of that this is why I was on the SSSS list, but it’s the only confrontation I’ve had while traveling so it’s my best guess. Duel citizenship can land you on the list and additionally the same is true if you have recents stamps from countries that are of interest and I’m not just talking the obvious terrorist identified countries that are band from visiting the USA. Think Egypt and Turkey or other similar destinations. Irregular travel habits can get you on the list which is not defined, but think of booking several flights scheduled to leave within 24 hours to multiple destinations and not showing up, booking international flights 2 hours before departure or even maxing out visitor visa calendar days regularly. For example you visit Europe for 90 days. Leave and once you’re allowed to visit again you return, max out the 90 days visitor visa repeating this cycle over and over again. That behavior is viewed as an abuse of the system and will land your name in the SSSS list. Sure if you travel international for work you could end up on the list, but it’s not as likely because most individuals with regular international travels have Global Entry. Global Entry can be a solution to get you off the SSSS list, but it cannot protect you from ending up on the list. Go back to that part where I told you that all an employee of the airline has to do is a three key stroke (i.e: alt, ctrl, enter) and your name is on that list. If you have Global Entry and are on the SSSS list best solution is a ReAddress Application. The likely hood of being on the SSSS list because you were randomly selected (this is a thing) to be in the lottery screening is very low. My friend says it’s so unlikely it’s that’s you have a ~1% chance ending up on this list by random selection. Children’s name usually end up on the SSSS list because they share a name similar to someone else on the Terrorist List or because they were randomly selected, but again the latter is highly unlikely. Please see my “SOLUTION” comment for tips to resolve!
DID YOU KNOW? It’s as easy as three key strokes on the keyboard for airline employees to put you on the Terrorist Watch List, other wise known as SSSS. My flight attendant friend was kind enough to pass along this information and hope that it will be helpful! The SSSS is a USA thing meaning you resolve it with the USA ReAddress application to get off the list. You usually end up on the SSSS because you argued with someone from the airline or in my case I went to the bathroom while my aircraft taxed at SFO for 45 min and pissed off the flight attendant because I didn’t remain in my seat until we got to the gate. Of course, I have no proof of that this is why I was on the SSSS list, but it’s the only confrontation I’ve had while traveling so it’s my best guess. Duel citizenship can land you on the list and additionally the same is true if you have recents stamps from countries that are of interest and I’m not just talking the obvious terrorist identified countries that are band from visiting the USA. Think Egypt and Turkey or other similar destinations. Irregular travel habits can get you on the list which is not defined, but think of booking several flights scheduled to leave within 24 hours to multiple destinations and not showing up, booking international flights 2 hours before departure or even maxing out visitor visa calendar days regularly. For example you visit Europe for 90 days. Leave and once you’re allowed to visit again you return, max out the 90 days visitor visa repeating this cycle over and over again. That behavior is viewed as an abuse of the system and will land your name in the SSSS list. Sure if you travel international for work you could end up on the list, but it’s not as likely because most individuals with regular international travels have Global Entry. Global Entry can be a solution to get you off the SSSS list, but it cannot protect you from ending up on the list. Go back to that part where I told you that all an employee of the airline has to do is a three key stroke (i.e: alt, ctrl, enter) and your name is on that list. If you have Global Entry and are on the SSSS list best solution is a ReAddress Application. The likely hood of being on the SSSS list because you were randomly selected (this is a thing) to be in the lottery screening is very low. My friend says it’s so unlikely it’s that’s you have a ~1% chance ending up on this list by random selection. Children’s name usually end up on the SSSS list because they share a name similar to someone else on the Terrorist List or because they were randomly selected, but again the latter is highly unlikely. Please see my “SOLUTION” comment for tips to resolve and hope this information is useful!
SOLUTION! Please see my comment “DID YOU KNOW?” for insights about being on the Terrorist Watch List, otherwise know as the SSSS. Like many of you, I had the privilege of being on the SSSS with all y’all for the entirety of 2016. I took 5 international flights last year all with different airlines and each time I was subjected to SSSS. Please note my travels were primarily between Europe with one trip to South Africa and another to Central America visiting Belize always returning back home to San Francisco. It was 3Q’16 that an agent in Sweden was nice enough to give me some insight when I assured him there is nothing “random” about this secondary screening I was being subjected to because this happened 100% of the time when returning to the US. He let me know that they were required to search me because they were complying with a requests that were issued by a list from the US Government and that it was nothing to do with the EU or Swedish requirements. He couldn’t tell me anymore detail, but at least I had an idea of the origin resulting in these screenings. He suggested if I wanted to resolve it I would have to take action once back in the US, but couldn’t direct me with any instructions of which office or facility to contact. Sound familiar for some of you? Voila! I found this blog and it was the beginning to the end. I opened a ReAddress application and also submitted an application to be setup for Global Entry. I never finished my ReAddress application. Specifically, I didn’t provided the requested documentation or scheduled an interview. I just opened an application to put me the queue leaving a nice comment in the box stating “I believe I am on the Terrorist Watch List due to continued SSSS while traveling and would like to be considered for removal. Additionally, I have never been arrested and am surprised to be considered a person of interest.” Summer of ’17 when I visited Germany I was not subjected to a SSSS! Yippie! At this time I was waiting to be interviewed for Global Entry, but thought maybe just filing the ReAddress application and Global Entry was the source of the solution. While sharing my experience with a friend who’s a flight attendant he assured me that in fact the reason I had not been screened on my recent international trip because I had opened these two applications. Once you’ve open an inquiry an agent will look at your profile even if it’s not complete. They can issue a temporary suspension to remove an individual from the SSSS list. Pay attention to that word “TEMPORARY” because it is only for a short time as a courtesy that you will in fact finish the application (ReAddress or Global Entry) and be formally interviewed. I took another trip to Europe in September and was. It subject to SSSS. I have now completed and been approved for Global Entry. According to my flight attendant friend I should be in the clear and this was also confirmed by the agent who interviewed me for Global Entry. My flight attendant friend did note if I did not follow through with my Global Entry or ReAddress application I would have been place back on the SSSS list. If that happened it would be difficult to remedy the situation as agents would not be so willing to remove me from the list because I didn’t complete the process the first time around and it would be considered suspicious. So if you start the process to be removed from the SSSS list be sure finish it! Hope this helps and good luck!
SOLUTION! Please see my comment “DID YOU KNOW?” for insights about being on the Terrorist Watch List, otherwise know as the SSSS. Like many of you, I had the privilege of being on the SSSS with all y’all for the entirety of 2016. I took 5 international flights last year all with different airlines and each time I was subjected to SSSS. Please note my travels were primarily between Europe with one trip to South Africa and another to Central America visiting Belize always returning back home to San Francisco. It was 3Q’16 that an agent in Sweden was nice enough to give me some insight when I assured him there is nothing “random” about this secondary screening I was being subjected to because this happened 100% of the time when returning to the US. He let me know that they were required to search me because they were complying with a requests that were issued by a list from the US Government and that it was nothing to do with the EU or Swedish requirements. He couldn’t tell me anymore detail, but at least I had an idea of the origin resulting in these screenings. He suggested if I wanted to resolve it I would have to take action once back in the US, but couldn’t direct me with any instructions of which office or facility to contact. Sound familiar for some of you? Voila! I found this blog and it was the beginning to the end. I opened a ReAddress application and also submitted an application to be setup for Global Entry. I never finished my ReAddress application. Specifically, I didn’t provided the requested documentation or scheduled an interview. I just opened an application to put me the queue leaving a nice comment in the box stating “I believe I am on the Terrorist Watch List due to continued SSSS while traveling and would like to be considered for removal. Additionally, I have never been arrested and am surprised to be considered a person of interest.” Summer of ’17 when I visited Germany I was not subjected to a SSSS! Yippie! At this time I was waiting to be interviewed for Global Entry, but thought maybe just filing the ReAddress application and Global Entry was the source of the solution. While sharing my experience with a friend who’s a flight attendant he assured me that in fact the reason I had not been screened on my recent international trip because I had opened these two applications. Once you’ve open an inquiry an agent will look at your profile even if it’s not complete. They can issue a temporary suspension to remove an individual from the SSSS list. Pay attention to that word “TEMPORARY” because it is only for a short time as a courtesy that you will in fact finish the application (ReAddress or Global Entry) and be formally interviewed. I took another trip to Europe in September and was. It subject to SSSS. I have now completed and been approved for Global Entry. According to my flight attendant friend I should be in the clear and this was also confirmed by the agent who interviewed me for Global Entry. My flight attendant friend did note if I did not follow through with my Global Entry or ReAddress application I would have been place back on the SSSS list. If that happened it would be difficult to remedy the situation as agents would not be so willing to remove me from the list because I didn’t complete the process the first time around and it would be considered suspicious. So if you start the process to be removed from the SSSS list be sure finish it! Hope this helps and good luck!
I was picked for SSSS yesterday on a flight from Athens (GR) to Newark. I do have Global Entry / TSA Pre Approved since last year and the security agents in Athens insisted that the list is generated by the US Government. That is surprising as I have never flown to any ‘weird’ destinations, but this was my first return flight with Emirates, originating from Dubai.
I can only hope it was random as it was frustrating and delayed my boarding by about 20 minutes. There were no issues in using Global Entry in EWR, or any additional screening upon arrival.
I would say it also has something to do if you’re flying internationally with checked bags or just carry on. This is was happened to us and seeing the picture above with zero bags checked kind of confirms it.
I was just flagged for SSSS traveling from ICN to SFO. Fingers crossed that it is a temporary issue due to my extensive international travel this month – Mexico, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Japan and Korea on some crazy work-related itineraries. I was a bit shocked when they took me in the back room as I have Global Entry and an APEC card and was using a priority screening area. The stupidest part is they didn’t really do much more than usual, it was just repetitive. I first thought something was up when 4 different agents looked at my boarding pass (maybe they don’t get too many SSSS passengers??) and then made me leave all of my items on the table after they came through the metal detector. Then they patted me down in the public area before taking me in the back room where another agent patted me down, although he did nothing any more invasive than the first agent. They did screen my bag for gunshot residue but they neither searched the whole thing nor asked me to power on my electronics. I asked them what was going on and why I was flagged but none of them spoke enough English to understand me. I hope I can find a solution if I am on some permanent list as I travel extensively for business and continually having to go through extra screening would be very inconvenient – sure defeats the purpose of the background checks, interviews and fees paid for GE and APEC memberships!
Flew from MAN-MCO with connection in PHL. My MAN-PHL boarding pass was marked SSSS yet none others were! All they did at MAN was pull me aside swabbed me and my bag for drugs and that was it. Had no issues in the US but when I checked in there was someone else’s name on my booking and I had a look at the long list and he was on it..
Flew SEA – LAX – SJD . Received a TSA pre-check bording pass in SEA. Was guided to expedited security line, did not have to remove shoes, belt etc. Awesome!
Return flight SJD-LAX-SEA received *SSSS* on both boarding passes. In Cabo receved a 20 second pat down by female (I’m male) and sent on my way. LAX had to wait 20 minutes for a supervisor before the checking began. Full drill as you’ve described, 3 agents another 20 minutes, no time to eat during layover as planned. I was angry from then on. My question is who assigns *SSSS* ?Airline and TSA blame each other.
Im a minority. Not one with an oddsounding name or who looks unAmerican. Still, never had this issue until Donald Trump became president. Now I get it EVERY TRIP SINCE. Coincidence??
Flew to 5 different states (3 of which from abroad) and got stopped FOUR CONSECUTIVE TIMES. About to fly again, making that 4 trips from abroad (6 new states total), and given my luck Im 99% sure they will stop me as they have every other trip taken…. ONCE was for aerosol medication, last time I arrived late and they searched me AT THE GATE…AND once I landed and went to my connecting flight! The other because some unopened food item I bought they tested and said it could be potentially an ingredient in an explosive! SERIOUSLY???? That was a DRY FOOD CONDIMENT. … That I literally bought at the prior airport. And sometimes they rifle through my HAIR… Yet when I leave the US, the other countries I visit never give me ANY issue (well, cept Cuba)…. Hmmmmm…. What is this issue then I wonder?
God help these incompetent, merciless TSA.
You don’t mention having Global Entry. My best advice is to sign up for that and also to sign up for a Known Traveler Number (or Trusted Traveler Number…same thing). The mere act of applying should give you some 60-90 days of breathing room while they process your application.
Last week, FRA to SFO: I had mistakenly booked a pm flight from Europe instead of the am. That meant I had to unpleasantly overnight it at FRA before my early connection. The kicker ofcourse was that at 5am the airport opened, I made a beeline for security to Terminal B only to receive the quad flag on my passport. Flagged were 4 of us, me, non-white American and 4 other black men with what looked like green African passports. After a month of a significant amount of general European rudeness, 36 hours of inadequate sleep, and finally being under-caffeinated (it was 5am!), I could only think it was racially motivated. 4 TSA officials could not explain why my passport was flagged. At Terminal B, I asked Lufthansa service desk to speak to Homeland Security, and amazingly, they got an officer to come speak to me. He replied he didn’t know why I had been flagged either. He suggested it might have been the airport and that I wasn’t getting any information out of them either. TSA blamed Homeland Security and Homeland Security blamed them in return. I do see now, thanks to your blog that the overnight in FRA might have been the cause. I am however still amazed at how vulnerable and easily exposed to humiliation a traveler can be. And I wonder if the system is functioning as it is supposed to: two generations ago, horrifying things started innocently enough.
I have had SSSS screening 2x out of Mexico flights and the worst is waiting for them to track down a female TSA agent to do the pat down. One time I almost missed my flight and waited almost an hour for them to find someone.
Well I just got it a LHR T5… I let the boarding staff know and was treated very respectfully… a 2 minute swab and now I’m first in line to board. Glad this was at LHR rather than in the US hearing the stories… 🙂
Reprinting an international boarding pass can cause a SSSS to appear. It happened to me. Reading the comments, it happened to at least two others above even though they didn’t catch on to the reprinting causing the SSSS.
OK so since i moved to the US ive been having this “Random” selection for this secondary search thing every single time i come back to the states and NO. Redress wont solve anything because i already tried it.. i think an attorney will eventually have to solve this issue
Lucky guys, I had this today the first time flying to the US.
45 minutes extra screening in Frankfurt and then in Copenhagen again 25 minutes.
What a waste of time and really my full luggage was item by item unpacked and after this I should be put the stuff in again.
reason was not given. possible the company booked the flight with a 3 days notice and took the cheapest instead of a direct flight.
This was the first time that I received SSSS flying Sydney to Houston – flying First Class – TSA Pre and Global Entry. I fly frequently but my 3 companions, not so much and they were all TSA Pre.. I didn’t notice it on my boarding pass at United when we checked in or would have mentioned it to the gate agent. (I will always look from now on) I was ushered to a separate line not knowing why. I still didn’t know until I went through a secondary screening and the SSSS was pointed out to me. I was questioned, my belongings went through extensive screenings, I was searched. I was also flagged before entering the gate area, again searched, laptop and tablet powered on and bags swabbed. No one at United can tell me why I was signed out. I have United Premier Silver status and the TSA Pre and GOES are in my profile. The only thing that we can think is the flight was the first ever SYD to IAH flight and my number came up. Have not had it since but I will ALWAYS look at my boarding pass!
The bottom line is the humiliation and frustration of being treated like a criminal. Have we no rights???? We should be told the reason we are being “flagged”. Someone flagged us for some reason. After taking a night flight I spent hours waiting in the Portland Airport to get through the extra security after being . A few of the TSA agents are kind and human, but many are rude, condescending, and down right nasty. White, female, senior, US citizen, and with no criminal record.Do they really believe I am a threat to National Security ? I can’t imagine what it would be like to be dark skinned, male, and be “suspicious” looking. These folks have too much power and NO they do not make me feel safer. On the contrast,they are terrorizing Me!!!! Ruined the end of my beautiful month long vacation.
I am a Canadian citizen and I go through this every time at pearson airport. So from this article I understand I am in some sort of list. My question is who put me in this list ? Is it the Canadian Govt or is it the security organization working for the airport ?
I got this on a flight out of Frankfurt. They just looked in my shoes and ‘swabbed’ my carry ons for explosive residues. Took about 5 minutes.
I get this SSS every time I travel. Everything you stated in this blog is accurate, but abbreviated or woefully not up to date. You are going to have to go through the electronic scanner TWICE, AND through the controversial hands over your head scanner too! Not only does the process take longer that stated, it is also required at every LAYOVER you have so ensure you have AT LEAST 3 hours between flights. Beware, if there is an unspecified time differential between screenings, YOU WILL GET ANOTHER. So if you are flying to Cancun from Detroit and have a connector in Miami you will have to be subject to re-screening and you better hope you have the time between flights. Additionally, during the police state style boarding process, TSA is at the gate AND on the platform to the plane, so they examine the ID to the ticket AGAIN then you may be sniffed by a dog, or you may be stopped AGAIN and “patted” down. It is NOT a “Patdown” but is a full body grope and tickle and grabbing / gripping where your nether regions are moved about during the process. It is also possible that they will send you back for a re screening AT THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT. AND, AGAIN, you WILL miss your flight. Remember, new flight means new boarding pass, so new screening AGAIN, new check to get onboard, new stop and frisk to get on the plane, AND another opportunity to be SENT BACK AGAIN. It is also possible to actually get on the plane, take your seat, buckle up and shut your eyes for the flight, BUT to only be called off the plane, or escorted, and subjected to this SAME process all over again. ALSO, please remember, if you are traveling with ANYONE, family, business, or talk to someone in the terminal too long, they now get to enjoy this process, possibly permanently, for as long as they live. So just speaking for me, my wife, and children went through as I described above and barely survived nearly 48 hours in the terminal, several iterations of boarding passes, hours in line to change the tickets, hours waiting for the flight, and trying to sleep a bit in the process. Oh, sleep, try to enjoy this, YOUR WILL BE ESCORTED OUT OF THE TERMINAL, THROUGH THE PUBLIC AREAS, THEN OUT THE DOOR and on your own, no luggage, no car, no place to stay. Enjoy our new police state.
I had my first SSSS inspection last week. I also complained that I have a Nexus card. It didn’t matter however and I still had to go thru with the inspection. Does the TSA not know anything about the Nexus card?
You can be put on terrorist watch list by local law enforcement.
If you have won lawsuits or are in litigation with law enforcement agencies, there is a chance they will put you on a list. Vendetta it is.
Sheriff’s are notorious for this.
I seem to get SSSS when ever entering the US from DXB or FRA, never AUH, CDG, or LHR. Weird right?
I was returning back from Morocco just the other day. I was waiting for my flight in Madrid when I was approached by the security staff for extra screening. I asked him and he said it was just a random screening. So I followed him patiently and was told to remove my shoes and he also patted my hands and swabbed my things and my hands. I immediately sat down and researched on the net as to why I was being screened again. This has happened to me several times without knowing about the SSSS mark. I thought I’m just an easy target since I always travel alone and I am a very light traveler. I will be easy to be screened. Laziness on their part. But I was getting suspicious why I always get rescreened. So after reading the info on why I found out about the SSSS mark on my boarding pass. I immediately remembered that I couldn’t print boarding passes at home. I also got insulted when the recent trip when I checked in in Madrid the woman with a American Airlines checked me in on a kiosk and did not research about the window or aisle seat that I requested. She immediately showed me an already assigned seat in the middle seat and lied to me about not having available seat that is not free anymore. I saw many many unmarked seats but she was very rude and rushed me so I couldn’t say anything. I had to stay over night at the airport because my ticket had a layover of 11 hours in Madrid. I was one of first people to check in. I never had a problem of asking for window seat. I was very upset and I told her I will never fly AA again. Last year my passport was stolen in Madrid. I was just in Morocco. I stayed there for a month on vacation. I always travel alone and I pay cash for my plane tickets. I have traveled in Dubai, jakarta many times, and yearly I go home to Manila and travel in and out of Manila when I go home. From what I’ve read from this thread, I have all the traits of being subject to SSSS. I wondered if I should apply for the Redress or global entry, which I think is a major rip off and a major money making way to take advantage of travelers.
Filing for a Redress will be fruitless. I am in the same boat as is anybody that travels with my. My whole family was serially assaulted.
Returned from Cuba to USA yesterday, after visiting my brother. Flew Delta. Was flagged in Havana International Airport. The lady who printed my boarding pass explained what the SSSS meant and told me where to go. The lady who went through my stuff was very polite and even friendly. She checked everything inside my carry on and my handbag and proceeded to pat me down. It only took a few minutes. I was born in Cuba but I’m also an American citizen. I’m an elementary school counselor. I have only been to Cuba 3 times in 18 years. My head is spinning just thinking that I’m in some kind of watch list. I can only hope that this was a one time event.
I was returning from Nice to New York via Zurich and got the SSSS on my boarding pass at check-in at Nice. I was surprised because I’m living in the US on a G4 visa (the diplomatic visa) and had somehow assumed that diplomats would never get picked for this.
Anyway, my flight to Zurich ran so late that New York-bound passengers were escorted off the flight and ferried by van around the tarmac and between terminals – and I assumed the rush would mean they’d overlook me. Nope. While everyone else was rushed aboard the departing flight, i was lead to one side of the (empty) gate and got swabbed, frisked and searched and all my electronics had to be powered on.
Just finished a nice family vacation (5 of us traveling, Mom, Dad and our kids 12, 14, ,16) in Maryland. Our 16 was randomly chosen as a TSA precheck in MN on our flight out to MD and 8 days later was flagged as a SSSS on our way home. TSA was professional however the experience was scary for a child who flies once a year for vacation and TSA could have done a much better job explaining. I travel monthly for work locally in the USA and I knew nothing about this…. frustrating experience for a child to go through. Sure hope he is not too scared to fly again. Explaining to any child why a full pat down is gonna happen after you spend a lifetime telling them no one should touch your body that you don’t know…. still pretty upset about it all.
“Then you’ll get a full body pat down (which you can choose to have in private, if you want). They pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the area around your crotch.”
Nope. Never, not ever.
I DO NOT CONSENT to being touched that way.
You want to sexually assault me? So I can fly on an airplane? Go f yourself!
Now, if they had Victoria’s Secret models doing the patdowns.. this is a sacrifice I’d be willing to make. Multiple times. Can’t be too safe, right?
I wonder if anyone’s ever $hit their pants during a SSSS screen. Like, intentionally.
If it’s going to be bad for me, you bet your ass I’m going to make it unpleasant for you, too, SSSS agent!
For me I was having flight with my family from Ist to Mia on turkish airline I saw SSSS in my boarding and I was busy asking many people about why I am selected we all thouht that we will have bad procedures upon arriving to Miami so we cancelled the whole trip.
I got the dang SSSS going back to Anchorage (I live in Alaska) from Iceland through KEF. The security folks in Iceland were super friendly and quick.
I flew from Chicago to Dublin on Icelandair, booked on one-way ticket, no flags. Bought a one-way ticket from Dublin to Anchorage with a few day “stop-over” in Reykjavik. Got flagged with SSSS at KEF. I even have Global Entry. So, if you get the SSSS at KEF, it’s a friendly process there, so don’t worry.
I had to buy my tickets separately because the dang website couldn’t find the direct flights from KEF to ANC so I had to reach out to the Icelandair call center.
the world is big
why spend your vacation in USA
I always get the dreaded SSSS when flying to the US out of Zurich. I’m a US expat and have been employed in international sales for several years so travel frequently. However I believe my listing is because I volunteered to staff that I thought the process was a waste of taxpayers money. Which if they’re going after me it clearly is. (Expats are still required to file and pay US taxes in addition to their country of residency)
I flew from Abu Dhabi TO JFK and my boarding bass was SSSS upon arrival to New York all procedures were done normally and it took me less than 15 minutes
Got my first SSSS today flying from Jamaica to Atlanta on Delta. I am global entry. I went through airport security just fine, didn’t even notice the SSSS on my boarding pass. shortly before boarding, I got called to the front, so to speak , and that is when I noticed the SSSS on the pass. My passport and boarding pass were taken and I was told Delta selected me for this additional screening. I don’t know if that is true. However, I do know I was forced to lift my shirt so they could swab my stomach at the gate as my flight was boarding for all to see my senior citizen stomach with scars from csurgery.
As a teacher, I prayed that none of my students or any student from my school was there. Totally humiliated! I do blame on Delta if there is screening at the gate that requires lifting of clothing at the very least a screen barrier should be provided. I am also concerned because since this afternoon, I have not read an account of the additional screening at the gate only or of being required to lift a shirt or blouse in public. May retire from air travel.
Good to know
But do they scan the passenger before board the flight or at airport of arrival in USA
I am a NASA employee in a position of public trust. I’m pretty sure I’m not on any lists. However, when I came back from a round trip from Canada (personal business), I got an SSSS. I’m pretty sure it’s because the check-in agent just didn’t like me. I could see no other reason. He was just being petty and punitive.
I am too the unfortunate getting SSSS “quad” on boarding pass. But I only get at AMD airport in India. This time my kids were on my itinerary they didn’t get it, last my wife who was on got it. The check in agent told me that’s TSA in US who flagged me. Process was simple, nothing whic you described, all I had to do was to take my luggage to this security desk, airline agent accompanying me. The officer logged my name, saw him making phone call, had his supervisor signed the log book. Wrote “sop done by AMD sec” on my next flight from BOM to JFK.
I have Global Entry for last 5 years travel frequently in US/Europe without SSSS.
Any ideas why at AMD only?
My experience with this has been occasional.
Got it on my most recent trip departing from Canada. There was no physical search, just metal and then full body scanner, though i was asked to turn around raise hands once after the earlier two. Yes bags and devices were checked, and i was asked to turn them on.
But the agents were very nice and helpful and it didn’t take any exceptionally longer.
I would mention that i travel to US frequently including by land and at the time of this, i even had a valid I-94 which basically means i entered US on a visa by land and was given a six month allowed entry exit stamp.
What i would be scared off is being separated and having to wait for so long that your flight is at the risk of being delayed. Thankfully that hasn’t happened, though i am yet to see if this was a one off thing or not.
I might have had this before too though i might not have been aware of the SSSS on boarding pass.
I have been told several times, you have been randomly selected and have been through full body scanner – pretty much many times. But i don’t recall my hand carry being physically examined more than twice (including today) which is certainly far less than the number of times i have been told “randomly selected and been through full body scan”
I THINK YOU ARE LUCKY
@Lucky: Any updates with what the DHS TRIP program replied in regards to your inquiry?
I SEE NO MORE SSSS AT THIS TIME
MAY BE PEACE IS GETTING MOST OF THE WORLD
I got a “SSSSS” on my way back from Bora Bora in the Tahiti Airport (PPT to LAX) on 2/21/19. Yes, 5 S’s! Our itinerary was round trip: SFO-LAX-PPT-BOB. On the back I printed my pass and got this gem for the 1st time. I’ve taken 3 other RT flight within the states in the past 8 months with no issues.
I had a similar experience as with other people here. Asked screening questions when I got my boarding pass in PPT. Bags were checked by typical electronic screening, then I was sent to a separate security office where my hands were checked for substances and bags checked by hand. They were all friendly and just wanted to hurry the process up anyways. Explained to me that I was being checked because of the S’s on my ticket. I had no idea what that was. At the gate, before boarding, they checked my passport against the list of checked people and I was on my way. BTW, the list looked like it had 30 or so names on it. I was the only one checked on my flight back to the US.
I’m filing with DHS to see if I have an issue so that I don’t have to deal with this again.
Some other items to note. No checked bags, my wife did not get the S’s and I received the S’s on the online check-in boarding pass. Not just at the counter.
I have TSA pre-check and Clear – I still get SSSS on my ticket .
I recently got the tsa precheck and the second flight with it, I got the SSSS
This same thing happened with a friend.
Just resently came back from Panama were my brother got married… I was best man. Reading other comments I was like I’m good …I travel one in fifteen years…showed at gate with ssss on boarding pass and was like what is this…sort of funny when through the whole pat down and the tsa lady look at me like how why am I doing this…she look dumbfounded…I didn’t get early access but made it home…is this some secret list out there…I’m an us citizen…I rolled with it…
So, I literally just experienced this process, this past weekend (April 20), after flying all over the world for the past 25 years, currently traveling as a trusted traveler and on my third passport. We were coming from Mexico on what I consider to be an under-the-radar, run-of-the-mill vacation (I’ve been in Israel, Jordan, South Africa and India and NEVER had an issue). It all started on the return trip (we were TSA Pre-Check on the outbound flight), when Southwest would not allow us to check-in online. I get to the airport, ask the SW attendant in Cancun why I was unable to check-in online and her response “I don’t know.” Really? She printed a boarding pass with a big-A “SSSS” on it and red-circled it, but yet she “didn’t know.” I also asked her to reprint my boarding pass to see if a TSA-Pre-Check logo would appear and she indicated my Known Travel Number (KTN) was in the system so they should let me pre-check. I had also earlier called SW 2x and asked for a return call to understand why I was not able to check in online; and they never returned my call (more complicity). So they do their “enhanced check” in Cancun and then I get to Nashville where it really gets fun. It takes 6 people to search through all my stuff, feel me up and of course, find absolutely nothing. All with no explanation other than that I had been “selected.” Meanwhile I am fuming and just on the verge of expletives, but of course, no value in losing my cool. I will just say that the process is a faulty one. I have had trusted traveler status for almost a decade, have never violated any travel policies and have been to places ranging from suitable for a G-rated family vacation to locations where civil war and bombings have occurred literally the day after I leave. I don’t know what’s going on with TSA, Southwest i.e., bus in the sky), or travel in general, but I was very disappointed with the treatment I received.
Went through this check 2019-04-28 at ewr.
I am a frequent flyer on all major airlines. I also have global entry and finally in the Military. When i could not check in online, i knew something was up. Went to the airport earlier than usual. Printed boarding pass and saw the 4S. Did not see my TSA-precheck. I knew something was up. Got to security, TSA agent Scanned my passport and it was red. Supervisor was called. And i received that extra security. Not pleasant being pat down thoroughly. I know they had to do what is required of them. I will be checking out to see if i get SSSS the next time I fly….
I do fly alot. Every weekend. Three trip in the US and 1 trip internationally every single month. We will see next time.
good luck
Question to you guys that have a “SSSS” stamp lol !
My case began few years ago when I got my LTC license ! Any of you has it ?
It’s so easy not to get SSSS printed on the boarding card: simply avoid the country doing it, if you have the choice. It’s not the “warm welcome” you are looking for, as a tourist or as an investor, to get into the mood of spending a lot of money in a country. The world has so many nice places, not treating people like criminals.
I’ve been 4s’d a few times flying from Canada to Phoenix and Las Vegas. The best I can figure is it’s because I regularly criticize WestJet online. They select me to be screened as a sort of pathetic revenge. Anyway, I always know I’m going to get a 4S on my boarding pass because as you said, you can’t check-in online the night before you fly. So, in order to expedite the rediculous process of screening I completely reboot my phone to factory settings before I arrive at the airport, and I don’t bring anything but a passport and a pair of earbuds through security. It kind of pisses them off. When they check my phone it says “Welcome to your nee Google Pixel” and prompts to set it up. They ask me where my stuff is and I hold up the ear buds. That’s it. They’re beat. They’re usually too chicken to touch my junk but if they do I always moan a little bit to make them super uncomfortable. They’re always in hurry to get me the hell out of screening and usually say it was a mistake that I was selected. The only question I’ve ever been asked by customs is “Where are you staying?”. That’s it. So if you get the 4S, make it easy on yourself and wear flip-flops and don’t bring a carry-on.
THIS SUMMER WE FLOWN FROM DUBAI TO JFK AND MY WIFE HAD 4 S IN HER BOARDING
UPON ARRIVAL NOTHING HAPPENED
WE SCREENED VISA PAGE INTO THE MACHINE AND ANSWER ALL QUISTIONS BY THE MACHINE THAN MADE THE FINGERPRINT INTO THE SAME MACHINE THAN THE MACHINE TOOK FULL FACE PICTURE THAN A WHITE PAPER CAME OUT FROM THE MACHINE WE GAVE IT TO THE MAN AND WENT TO THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AND COLLECTED OUR BAGS THAN WE EXITED FROM THE GREEN DOOR WITHOUT ANY INSPICTION
SO THE 4 SSSS IS NOTHING TO WOORY ABOUT
I think a lot of the SSSS comes from the fact that no-fly lists appear to flag anybody with the same name as someone on a no-fly or terror watch list. I have a very common first and last name so I get SSSS a lot – I understood that somebody with my name was involved in smuggling cash out of Australia – after about 10 searches that’s all been able to establish. Consider yourself lucky if you’re travelling to the US – facilities for obtaining a redress don’t exist within the commonwealth!
I DONT THINK SO
COMPUTER CHOOSE THE NAME RANDOMLLY
WE WERE 3 ADULTS ME AND MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER. LAST YEAR I TOOK SSSS FROM ISTANBUL TO MIAMI AND THIS YEAR MY WIFE ONLY GOT IT FROM DUBAI TO JFK
Actually the airline giving it out is not a lie. The airline (not TSA) runs each travelers name through a database. If anything comes up they feel isn’t right, they are the ones who assign the SSSS. TSA has zero hand in that. (I work for TSA). They are also the ones responsible for giving you pre-check correctly, so don’t get mad at TSA next time you travel and don’t have it. Not our call.
Im a filipino and i flew to guam just a week ago and i got the SSSS, they did not secondary check me… i went through the security like the rest of the passengers, no extra check. What does this mean? Haha