Will I Always Get SSSS On My Boarding Pass?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The odds are that, once you get it, you may get SSSS on your boarding card more often ... So, be prepared for your travel and allocate time... It is not mandatory that you will get it every time, it is just highly likely that you may get it. Nothing to panic, if you have everything with you and your travel intent is good.

Who decides SSSS on boarding pass?

The TSA agent will tell you “the airline has randomly selected you for additional ” (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.

Is SSSS on boarding pass random?

SSSS can appear on any given traveler's boarding pass for a variety of reasons. Although selection may appear to be “random ,” there is a high correlation between SSSS selection and certain traveling behaviors. ... SSSS often affects travelers who have visited potentially high-risk countries as well.

Why did I get SSSS on my boarding pass?

In reality, SSSS on a boarding pass is usually just an extra pat down at the boarding gate , or a random sample check at TSA or . This means the TSA or other security agents may swab your clothes and anything inside your bags for drugs, explosives and so forth.

What triggers SSSS?

TSA doesn't provide the exact reasons that people are selected for secondary screening, but unusual itineraries such as travel from a high-risk country , last-minute flights, or even one-way international flights seem to be a trigger.

How do I stop SSSS on my boarding pass?

There's no for sure way to 100% prevent being issued a boarding pass with SSSS. Some have reported that you can ask an airline agent at the check-in desk to re-issue a boarding pass without SSSS but it's not clear to me what the success rate is when doing so and how much control the airlines have in the process.

Is SSSS really random?

SSSS can appear on any given traveler's boarding pass for a variety of reasons. Although selection may appear to be “random ,” there is a high correlation between SSSS selection and certain traveling behaviors.

How can you avoid SSSS?

Unfortunately, there's no surefire way to prevent being selected for SSSS. However, if you notice that you're getting selected repeatedly, you can find out what a redress control number is and apply through the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP).

What happens during SSSS?

The letters SSSS will be printed on your boarding pass and on your luggage tag when you receive them at the airport, and you may get a sympathetic look from whomever is assisting you. At security, a TSA agent will either scan or read your boarding pass and then alert a supervisor.

Can TSA deny boarding?

Passengers without a mask may be denied entry, boarding , or continued transport. Failure to comply with the mask requirement can result in civil penalties.

Why do I always get swabbed at the airport?

And why YOU? The “why you” is pretty simple – it's usually at random . Unless you're on the super-secret list that increases your chances of getting SSSS on your boarding pass, the TSA's machines are said to pick people at random for swabbing. As for the why, they're usually checking for traces of explosives.

How does TSA choose who to pat down?

TSA officers use the back of the hands for pat-downs over sensitive areas of the body. In limited cases, additional screening involving a sensitive area pat-down with the front of the hand may be needed to determine that a threat does not exist. You will receive a pat-down by an officer of the same gender.

Why does TSA check your cell phone?

TSA said the screening “is solely intended to verify that there has been no physical tampering or hidden threat placed within the electronic device .”

Can TSA check your phone?

TSA protects transportation systems: they scan your luggage , ensure your ticket is valid, and provide airport security. The only reason they might be interested in your phone is if it looks suspicious. ... As such, they're going to be interested in your phone.

What does SSSS stand for?

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.

What does TSA see when they scan your passport?

TSA is rolling out the “Credential Authentication Technology” (CAT) tool broadly. They check both the authenticity of the document and whether the information matches what they have for the passenger's ‘Secure Flight' data in their reservation (name, date of birth, gender).

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.