Back then, it was Q's. Ive always been able to avoid this waste of time by boarding with my phone to my ear as if in a call and not making eye contact with the security theater folks. We almost missed the flight. I questioned them because I didn't know anything about it. ID checks and selected individuals for additional swabbing and bag check. For example, one time the guy searching my bag found my passports, and thought they were fraudulent, because I haveboth a United States and German one. The TSA Rep thought he got one of the top ten Granted I don't fly nearly as much as most of you, but I haven't seen this since 2002 when they would announce people over the intercom that had been chosen. I think it was triggered because the airline cancelled all my flights and I had to reschedule all flights (their fault), I was also traveling alone (my friends had chosen other airlines) and in 2018/2019 I traveled with my mother. I was recently flying MBJ-MIA-JFK and got SSSS on the MBJ-MIA segment. It really doesn't matter who they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not be happening at all. So, the experience your'e telling was with CBP and not with TSA. Instead youll get an error message saying that youll only be able to print your boarding pass at the airport. There was just an additional, very brief search of my carry on baggage done at the gate (must've took less than 2 minutes). The TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and national government agencies when forming new procedures. Report unattended items or suspicious activity immediately to airline personnel or Airport Police at 305-876-7373. We book wheelchairs. They had an agent hovering over my luggage at the end of the counter and asked if they were all mine. Airline Information; Flight Status; - TSA Agent. So what is this enhanced security process? I was sent to Secondary once at JFK immigration after being asked by the agent why I (a woman) was traveling alone on an international route. I do a lot of one way, no baggage flights to medical issue returns. I was slightly insulted by the question but ignored the sexist nature of it and was polite and said I was on business and showed him my business card. TSA and CBP don't care whether you are a Muslim or etcand certainly will not take a "forensic copy" of your phone. This is very, very old news. TSA, "automated target recognition software detects any metallic and non-metallic threats concealed under clothing by displaying a generic outline of a person on a monitor attached to the advanced imaging technology unit highlighting any areas that may require additional screening." The TSA screening procedures for domestic flights involve passengers showing valid identification, going through a security screening, and separating any prohibited items into a small bag. :-). Security measures begin long before you arrive at the airport. I did go through extra screening at JFK because I had put my bottled water from the plane in my backpack and I was arriving back in the US. The fact that they scan your body in three ways seems like a slight overkill to me, but whatever. I am a Muslim immigrant from the middle east and was given one of those "random checks" at the airport flying back home in the US. Accessible property of all travelers, regardlessof age, must be screened. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers. Please prepare to show ID and present your bags to an agent for inspection." Yes, I have seen them in the past, not recently though. ( See She's So Special). They go as far back as how my father got to immigrate to US (visa type), which I have no clue. The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. I was so angry. SSSS premier boarding! What can you do if you frequently get SSSS?, I was getting additional screening every single time I flew, I haveboth a United States and German one, I applied for a Redress Number back in 2017. Then they let me go. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Another Year On The Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel. Secondary Security Screening Selection or Secondary Security Screening Selectee, known by its initials SSSS, is an airport security measure in the United States which selects passengers for additional inspection. They knew who I was. It should have read we DID handle check in and boarding for a charter airline. One will search every inch of your belongings. However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. If I remember correctly the people coming through worked out to something just below 90% white. Then youll be asked to go through the full body scanner. It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. Had pre-check and GE, but whenever I couldn't check in for my flight I knew in advance I caught another SSSS. I'll add that to this post, since it's a good thing to clarify. They asked for my phone password and got a forensic copy of it. I was sent to Secondary and searched none the less. They checked my carry on but not my handbag! The whole patdown, leaning forward and backward, wheelchair check, and the hand held metal detector check is just a normal procedure. According to the Department of Homeland Securitys website, the details that make up its algorithm cannot be made public for security reasons. (What we do know is that TSA uses Secure Flight, a pre-screening process that involves identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveler lists and watch lists.) In other words, if you share your name with someone on the No Fly list, you will likely be stopped. We are both in our 70's and it was extremely stressful. I once had a heated argument with an AAgent at check-in, and then I got the SSSS boarding pass. Ive sat at a gate just inside the checkpoint before and counted who got profile vs who didnt, and what their skin hue was. This being chosen was leaving Dallas and then coming back too. I got ssss few days ago in Punta Cana, didnt know what it mean, but only what happened was to take off my shoes. They put me in touch with a TSA ombudsman who did absolutely nothing. They had me go through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me down. I also realized quite recently that Helsinki airport has certain departure gates in the non-Schengen area that are preferred for US-bound flights because they have a dedicated security screening booth, for privacy. Its just SSSS, not SS ;). Airlines. This SSSS on my ticket is ridiculous. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. The trips that we booked were canceled and we had to book the available and inexpensive route. Heres Why. We used to call it Specially Selected for Strip Search. Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting TSA Cares online at http://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares or by phone at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711. The conversation you've had with the agent was probably something out of the blue and the agent's way to strike a conversation with you. 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. Had (I think) US Marshalls checking a recent flight from the East Coast. Luckily we had arrived early enough to be among the few people who could get the next available so we were thankful for that. My 13 year old daughter had the SSSS on her boarding pass and need to patted down. Definitely not long distance by any means. Types of Screening. If theres a line just to check-in, well, that could take an extra 30 minutes with the family of 12 ahead of you and several strollers in tow. So this is nothing new. I always have a good attitude during the process. I had a very unpleasant experience on that random search in Madrid. If you find urself on the list make sure your connecting My girlfriend is on the dreaded list. At this point, there will typically be at least two TSA agents involved, if not three. He never ceases to amaze me and will take any opportunity he can to deliver his liberal agenda. Did you change anything from the previous post? A. This is the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight. It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. Three to six TSA agents set up at the gate. I'm 74 and fly with medical issues. Good to know for next time. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Your email address will not be published. Omg, this happened to me. The TSA does indeed check checked baggage, but most of the time they don't need to do a physical search. One wheeled luggage and one duffel bag. 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. Or is this new? Gate screening - which can. According to the TSA: Is Indonesia Considered a Safe Location to Travel? This is NOT an official TSA subreddit! Why do you have to make up that story? I hate gate screenings, expecially if on a Southwest flight. Inform the TSA officer if. I do a lot of medical evacuations world wide. They took me and my stuff into another room, patted me down again and went through my stuff. Like, if you cornered them to explain exactly how security was enhanced by re-checking the bag of a jetsetting terrorist 15 minutes after checking it the last time, what would they say? 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. Complete waste of taxpayer dollars. Fortunately I am in fine shape but it's still rather embarrassing. It is treated just like any other identification and will not give you a free pass, so if you get selected for random, you will be sent for random. All regular procedure. When this all first started, I too was on a list. They had me go through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me down. Its happened to me one time. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. I was flying out of SLC and had a CLEAR Card. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening. A "necessary evil" that must be conducted after what went on in the past. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. That literally astounds me. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? All rights reserved. I just got one in London, I upgraded (no connection with SSSS) from PE to business and the dreaded SSSS was still on the new boarding pass (just in case someone wants to upgrade put of it) - it was 3min procedure, all people very professional, looking in the fact I went for the random sniffer check both in my port of origin and LHR transfer, it was just third iterration of the same (pointless) process in the same day. Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. Gate screening which can involve anything from identification checks to hand-wand metal detectors was implemented after Sept. 11 as an additional layer of security. It would be nice to know what list I'm on lol. I had to lift my shirt exposing my belly and back half way up for the lady to check me. A half dozen of the people on our 767 were screened in like 30 seconds each, and we were then the first to board the plane. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Wait Times Although the TSA follows a "risk-based approach" when adding security measures, TSA spokeswoman Lara Uselding told the Associated Press that the move to restore random gate checks developed "as the agency evolved," not because of a specific threat. and finally in 2020 I was not chosen any more and my feelings were hurt. SSSS stands for secondary security screening selection. Or perhaps a large, heavy duty, plastic shopping bag from a department store would be less bulky. Youll know for sure when you print your boarding pass at the airport, and see the SSSS on it. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). In my experience, theyll typically close a lane in order for you to be screened. People from certain countries are subject to it by default. At that particular airport entering passengers were ~90% white, but ~70% of those selected for "random" checks came out of the 10% who were visibly nonwhite. So SSSS not much to worry about. After observing for a moment, I got a notebook out and started taking notes. He was tearing through my carry-on, while he had me sit and watch. The process was a lot less intrusive than what you described. I already knew I was going to be subjected to a secondary. You may call the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, or between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET) on weekends and holidays, email us at TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov or submit a form online at tsa.gov. When will the madness end? There are a variety of things that can cause you to get selected for secondary security screening. Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids I have to go through it again on a flight from Virginia to Hawaii and hes almost made me late for my plane there was no reason whatsoever Im shipping center that other times I went through it when I was flying to see Istanbul one of those times I was wearing a postoperative boot and splint even though I had trusted traveler status I still have to go through screening they made me remove my splint &boot twice! Enroll in person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check. When checking us both in online at exactly 24 . Agents go down the line and makes everyone show their ID and boarding pass. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status. Happy to fly with you out of DCA or IAD sometime. It was certainly introduced before the shoe bomber (all shoes off) and the underwear bomber (the large, mainly ineffective nude o scan machines that rotate around you supposedly to find explosives). - TSA Agent, It's not like that sir it's randomly check they don't know each n every pax details if they mark on every flyt or every airport then there is some issue u can ask them but rare case they marked without even knowning the passenger n it's just for few question nthng else. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This Hidden Setting Will Stop Chrome From Killing Your Laptops Battery, These Are the Best Cheeses for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Once traveling with a colleague who didnt have Global Entry, attempting to exit through Customs at JFK, I was selected for search but when they looked at my receipt, they sent me through and selected my colleague who was behind me in the line. I was detained for hours after a day long flight, was asked several personal questions that violated my privacy. You will be asked to step aside for additional screening, which can take place right at the checkpoint, or privately. Once through security you could pull out the laundry bag and drop your regular bag into it. You failed to mention the absolute worst aspect. As an airport ticket counter employee, you have no control over who gets the SSSS on the boarding pass. One other theory is that they determine your risk based on what might be considered suspicious behavior, like buying a one-way ticket or paying for your flight in cash. So I think this was a name thing! Thanks Chris, that's exactly the scenario I was curious about! Other unusual pat-down triggers include head coverings, even for religious purposes, or medical equipment that requires additional screening. Notebook out and started taking notes https: // ensures that you are connecting the... 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