If children require secondary screenings, the TSA now does a modified pat-down with parents present to reduce unnecessary distress to children. However, if you get this designation several trips in a row, you can assume youre on some sort of a list. Because passengers at a certain gate are screened does not mean there is a specific threat to a particular plane, Uselding said. Every time I travel domestically or internationally, I am randomly selected around 70-80% of the time, they write. Welcome to r/TSA. New Era Of TSA Crazy: Im Missing 50% Of My Flights Now. Face value. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint. The TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and national government agencies when forming new procedures. ( See She's So Special). Have you ever had an SSSS on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? I got several of these when I was a "LEO" (Law Enforcement Officer) after going around TSA at the airport to fly armed. At my home airport everyone with a carry on gets searched at the gate if the SSSS has a carryon. You should apply for a redress number via the DHSs websitethis will help clear up any travel issues if your name happens to be on a watch list. Market data provided by Factset. I kind of understood why if was flagged, as that was very different from my usual flight pattern. To be clear, just because you get that message doesnt necessarily mean youll get extra screening. Types of Screening. From here, youll head to security and likely be brought to a different line for extra screening when you show your boarding pass to a TSA agent; while the process varies depending on the particular airport, this might involve going through a metal detector and body scanner (maybe more than once), a full-body pat-down, and your carry-on checked for explosive residue. I was separated from my husband and taken to another room to be searched which included a full pat down. Havent had an issue since! I didn't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder. Don't know why. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid. This became a "thing" not too long after 9/11. Lately, it has been much less frequent. The security checkpoint opens about an hour before the flight departs from that gate. Yes, but only in limited amounts. Wasn't half bad really once I knew how to deal with it. There are five main checkpoints at SEA Airport featuring general, premium, CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, and ADA-friendly screening. I also realized quite recently As you mentioned, "SSSS" screening at foreign airports is done at the departure gate. It is now controlled by CBP. My first time flying BA first to DFW from LHR I was chosen and was stopped at the gate. It was very embarrassing because it was done in a public area with men around looking at my belly. Has anyone experience with these domestic screenings? At JFK the first TSA agent was rude (doesn't cost anything to be friendly), the second one who conducted the physical check was friendly though. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? For additional TSA information, call (866) 289-9673. A lady laid into me last night about this very issue. I can't even count how many times I got the SSSS but I was never sent to secondary screening or had any other issue during boarding. That's 100%, Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold, Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward, Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native, Programs: Amex, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium. Or do all gate passholders need to go through General Boarding lanes? See you there is a actual no-fly list and nine airlines have their own version. I have been aware of this for over 30 yrs. Its not the TSAs fault, and the agent isnt any happierabout having to perform the secondary search than I am. As weve written before, you might also be selected if youre flying to or from whats considered a high-risk country. Leave it to our resident troll UA-NYC to make another inappropriate and totally unrelated (to the topic) comment. I was so traumatized by the experience that I actually had nightmares afterwards. As a muslim immigrant, I am SSSS almost all the time. We had given ourselves ample time (1.5 hrs from TSA to boarding time) but ended up being the very last ones to board before pushback. Three to six TSA agents set up at the gate. Problem solved by a gate agent. At this point, there will typically be at least two TSA agents involved, if not three. At least that's how it is at my airport. You always have the right to request a private pat-down. TSA Pre Application Program. Programs: Wild Wild Life, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD). I am not Muslim amd my name doesn't sound "muslim", yet I get picked a lot. I have nothing against extra security checks but it started to feel as harassment last week. An SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted. The horribly pathetic and transparently theatrical gate security audit. You know youre on a flight with someone on The List when the TSA posts up at your gate, checks everyones bags, and makes your flight late. I am an airline crewmember and even in the crew line we are, at times, selected for extra security check and redirected to the public lane to have this completed. I had a lot of cash with me and of course they opened my bag, then questioned me about the amount of cash. Wonder if it was pure coincidence or if it was some sort of retaliation by the AAgent. On the plus side, the trouble was all washed away with a glass of lemon mint juice once onboard. What should you expect at security if your boarding pass has SSSS on it? What Is TSA PreCheck, And Is It Worth It? Omg, this happened to me. TSA Carry on Rules for Prescription Drugs. - TSA Agent. Then I did the redress thing, and that stopped, like it dropped to 0. Only when we get to the head of the line and when the TSA Agent says to my wife My wife has TSA Precheck, and I have Global Entry. I havent had any major issues since. None of the answers here should be considered an official response from TSA. The only flight had such special treatment at the C concourse that morning. When the initial TSA agent scans your boarding pass, it will make a loud beep and a red light will illuminate. What causes someone to get SSSS on theirboarding pass? When going through security screening checkpoints: Each person is allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item . The secondary screening, or pat-down, doesn't need to be traumatic and can usually be avoided altogether if you know what to expect and follow passenger rules. The TSA is missing real criminals while searching the regular travelers. For those who comply with image scanning, most secondary screenings result from alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and the AIT scanners. I questioned them because I didn't know anything about it. Market data provided by Factset. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We are both in our 70's and it was extremely stressful. My wife has TSA Precheck, and I have Global Entry. We generally fly the same itinerary. I've been flying this route for 40 years.. it has to stop. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid and you or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property. You could carry a folded up laundry bag inside your shoulder bag. Call TSA Cares 72 hours priorto traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: "Attention passengers. I got ssss few days ago in Punta Cana, didnt know what it mean, but only what happened was to take off my shoes. Ive also dealt with some really uneducated TSA agents during the process. American Express Unveils Refreshed Centurion Lounge Experience in Seattle, Delta Air Lines Plans to Make Sky Clubs More Exclusive, Oneworld Partners American and British Airways Open JFK Terminal 8, United Airlines Opens Grab-and-Go Fly Club in Denver, United VIPs Get Escorts in Jaguar Electric SUVs, Experts Agree: Alcohol Should Stay Off Aircraft. I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job. It really doesn't matter who they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not be happening at all. He was tearing through my carry-on, while he had me sit and watch. Would love for all the Trump Terrorists at the Jan 6 insurrection to have SSSS for life with no chance of redress. Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Charge multiple devicesThe circular design of the power strip allows for the 15" to coil up inside the body of the productmaking it easy to wrap up and throw in a bag to take with you when traveling. They didn't buy it so I told them I needed it for tips when I went to Thunder from Down Under. On my flights to and from the US in 2018 and 2019 I didn't receive the ssss. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. 2. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pretty sure it actually stands for Super Special Scrotum Scrubbing. Right? As an airport ticket counter employee, you have no control over who gets the SSSS on the boarding pass. Card for turkey. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. No. All regular procedure. We used to call it Specially Selected for Strip Search. 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. TSA Pre is an expedited screening program that allows qualifying travelers in select screening lanes to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belts and to keep their laptop in a case and 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on. The one and only time I got SSSS was 2 years ago leaving TPE to the US. I do a lot of medical evacuations world wide. So I think this was a name thing! Gate screening - which can. I guess I'm not viewed as much of a threat these days. Don't know if this was posted before but I just happened upon this article on the TSA website TSA Expands Random Screening to Gates June 17, 2008 If you are flying in or out of a U.S. airport this summer you may notice Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) conducting random additional screening. That was the only time. Heres Why. Or is this new? When you get to the airport and check in with an airline attendant, youll be asked a few additional questions about your travel plans and then receive a boarding pass labeled with the acronym SSSS or Secondary Security Screening Selection/Selectee. It only happened once and once was enough. Who knows. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. It was a real pain, but the redress process worked. Peoole who talk abouy profiling in these practices are speaking truly from personal experience. Just drive to a destination. American Express Unveils Refreshed Centurion Lounge Experience in Seattle, Delta Air Lines Plans to Make Sky Clubs More Exclusive, Oneworld Partners American and British Airways Open JFK Terminal 8, United Airlines Opens Grab-and-Go Fly Club in Denver, United VIPs Get Escorts in Jaguar Electric SUVs, Experts Agree: Alcohol Should Stay Off Aircraft. If you find urself on the list make sure your connecting flights are several hours apart - u will never make a quick connection. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. She would not say how many passengers or employees have been randomly stopped at gates, or how that figure has changed in recent years. After 9/11 very issue TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and government. Regular travelers pat-down with parents present to reduce unnecessary distress to children it Specially selected for Strip search write! Ba first to DFW from LHR I was so traumatized by the AAgent had lot... 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