@ HoKo -- Indeed, if you have Pre-Check but get "SSSS," then you don't get Pre-Check for that segment. The TSA agents were nice and apologetic. One bag or all the bags (I had just tagged with my info. When will the madness end? - TSA Agent. Its the only positive aspect of the experience. They use screening equipment such as metal detectors, millimeter wave machines, backscatter x-ray and cabinet x-ray machines. Its part of NSAs racial profiling. In 2017, the ACLU also analyzed 13,000 TSA documents, which, among other significant findings, found that some officers referred passengers to additional screening far more than others, "a. You can do so throughthe DHS TRIP program, which stands for Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. The immigration secondary screening was very extensive, a 30 minute interrogation. Yeah sorry, gate passes get full, standard screening. I was averaging a trip to Secondary about once a year up until Global Entry was created. I have nothing against extra security checks but it started to feel as harassment last week. Walk . Make your screening experience as smooth as possible and become familiar with the process. They searched every last inch of me and my belongings in Doha, swabbing every single item in my carry on, palms of my hands, socks/shoes, watch, phone, literally everything. 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. Checkpoint-friendly laptop bags The TSA will allow passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet "checkpoint-friendly" standards. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I feel discriminated because of my race and religion. A few weeks back on my flight from FLL-LAX had the same. This practice started after 9/11 and was much more common at that time. I immediately get flagged for SSSS. 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). How a regular jetsetter (me) became a jetsetter-terrorist. Simply put, an SSSS on your boarding pass means that youre getting an extra thorough search when you go through security. Market data provided by Factset. They put me in touch with a TSA ombudsman who did absolutely nothing. I got ssss few days ago in Punta Cana, didnt know what it mean, but only what happened was to take off my shoes. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. Ive gotten this because of my global entry when flying back into the US from abroad (at the gate before boarding to fly back). One guy patted me down, had a look through my carry-on and that was it. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. To ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. Department of Homeland Securitys website. I only spent one week in the USA, Florida, and had to go back to Turkey. When going through security screening checkpoints: Each person is allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item . Legal Statement. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. See more about our ethics policies here. The way you stalk all these posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? They actually pulled me off of the plane for that one. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. Now doesn't tha make you feel safe? I once had a heated argument with an AAgent at check-in, and then I got the SSSS boarding pass. 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. Is that normal? Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack. I was rather taken aback when they told me to lift my shirt in front of that audience. Is there anything you can do to stop it from happening? I have had this several times, once when I was flying from Vermont to Virginia! TSA works closely with the intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information. He was probably wearing a cast or some type of medical device at that time, and when they performed the swab, there was probably an alarm, so a secondary patdown has to be conducted including a property search. Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. TSA Carry on Rules for Prescription Drugs. I had the dreaded SSSS a couple of years ago and it was a big deal to me.! What Is TSA PreCheck, And Is It Worth It? I didn't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. At a minimum, theyll put two upside down bins around your items to separate them from everyone elses. I havent had any major issues since. For additional TSA information, call (866) 289-9673. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This SSSS on my ticket is ridiculous. I was separated from my husband and taken to another room to be searched which included a full pat down. 4s kinda sounds like double SS. Good article and almost accurate to a point with the exception of a number of other information included which were not accurate at all. on AA from MAD-PHL business class. After about 10 minutes, a TSA Supervisor and someone from CLEAR came down and apologized to me. Back then, it was Q's. Absolutely nothing was explained to me. Had pre-check and GE, but whenever I couldn't check in for my flight I knew in advance I caught another SSSS. It was close to 25 minutes I must say. Should it happen again I think I will ask for the more private option. In your quest to find an especially great deal for a flight, youll likely come across airlines. 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. New Era Of TSA Crazy: Im Missing 50% Of My Flights Now. Forchildren 13 years and older, TSAs standard screening procedures apply. Is Indonesia Considered a Safe Location to Travel? TSA and CBP don't care whether you are a Muslim or etcand certainly will not take a "forensic copy" of your phone. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. However, in 2017I was getting additional screening every single time I flew. 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. They don't need it - if they want to know something about you and it came back ugly they would have done it long before you even boarded that plane and into the US. As a muslim immigrant, I am SSSS almost all the time. An SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted. Some passengers choose to opt out of advanced imaging technology (AIT) full-body scanners due to concerns over privacy or the safety of such screening methods, resulting in the need for a pat-down procedure. Future experiment: Travel with someone, switch bags, and watch the TSA lose their minds. It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. Im just out for good blog material at this point. As a TSA agent told me years ago--"looks like you're going to be our ssssssssspecial friend today!" Can you get SSSS if you have TSA PreCheck? As weve written before, heres how youll know youve been chosen for additional screening: At first, you might have trouble printing your boarding pass or checking in at home. Havent had an issue since! It used to be airline responsibility before 9/11 and was done w Sharpies. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) 134. I also realized quite recently As you mentioned, "SSSS" screening at foreign airports is done at the departure gate. When this all first started, I too was on a list. Theres no way to know when you book whether youll get the dreaded SSSS. However, if youre going to get it, you generally wont be able to load a mobile boarding pass, or print your boarding pass at home. I was furious! Its the passengers passport and travel profile.. It was infuriating & humiliating. The least common cause of a pat-down is suspicious behavior, but don't let pre-flight jitters or stress make you lose your cool, or you could find yourself in the secondary screening line. 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 [email protected] or submit a form online at tsa.gov. Why do you have to make up that story? @KingBob - Haha, yeah seriously. WWWHHHHHHAAAAAA WWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAA WWWWHHHHHHAAAAA (yes that was sarcasm Sometimes its because youre on some sort of a list;I have no clue what causes people to get on lists, though I suspect for some people its because of their travel patterns, for others its because of their names, and for others itsbecause theyre being watched more carefully for whatever reason, Sometimes its completely random, and you have nothing to worry about, You can get SSSS even if youre enrolled in TSA PreCheck, If you do get SSSS, then you wont receive TSA PreCheck for the itinerary where you were chosen for secondary screening. At my home airport everyone with a carry on gets searched at the gate if the SSSS has a carryon. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. 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. The agent will pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the area around yourcrotch. Never had it before and after. For security related information, questions or updates, please contact the TSA at 1-866-289-9673, e-mail [email protected], on Twitter @askTSA or visit the TSA website. Additional agents asking various people in line to put their carry on luggage on the cart, and give it a cursory (sometimes more than cursory) inspection. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Next, remove the animal. They swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under the sun including all the bags. 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. When I came back to the USA I was asked how long have I been out of the USA and do I have a job from passport control. Your email address will not be published. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. You can not. 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. I'm so afraid to fly anymore. I kind of understood why if was flagged, as that was very different from my usual flight pattern. 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. 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. I know exactly why I was selected. Then they let me go. I was going back to Turkey, I was flying out of Orlando airport. Immediately after they scanned my boarding pass at the gate, I was stopped by another airport security person asking if I had been given any bags or bought anything before TSA. Face value. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. According to the TSA: They are there to do a thankless job. They made me take out each item one by one and even examined inside my camera's cleaning tissues. As a senior aged female (caucasian) I hardly coluld imagine anyone thinking I was a threat!! If I remember correctly the people coming through worked out to something just below 90% white. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. Lately, it has been much less frequent. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. I traveled very frequently when I was in medical school and I ended up on the SSSS list almost every other time that I flew. Based on my understanding: As a very frequent flyer, Id say that nowadays I get SSSS on my boarding pass maybe a few times per year, typically on one-way international itineraries. I find that the screening process there typically isnt quite as invasive or time consuming. " campaign, which details proactive and protective measures we have implemented at security checkpoints to make the screening process safer for passengers and our workforce by reducing the potential of exposure to the coronavirus. This is the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight. Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues - DTW TSA additional gate screenings.. - make me feel SO SAFE. You are part of the negative media propaganda that you were talking about. As you mentioned, "SSSS" screening at foreign airports is done at the departure gate. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. It was a real pain, but the redress process worked. Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Would love for all the Trump Terrorists at the Jan 6 insurrection to have SSSS for life with no chance of redress. They do this in CANADA also so its not exclusive to the US. Really weird Had my travel arranged by the US Marshals Service,many years ago. The TSA officer will not remove your child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter. All rights reserved. Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down. The TSA person in LHR was very efficient and friendly. Secondary screenings are still done (albeit rarely). Ive sat at a gate just inside the checkpoint before and counted who got profile vs who didnt, and what their skin hue was. It is now controlled by CBP. Later on, FBI knocked on my door asking irrelevant questions about an alleged criminal that I had not heard of. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. The way youll want to address this is by applying for a Redress Number. At one airport I got pulled for this, I was in a different concouse then my flight was departing and he wanted to know what I was doing. I had a long wait for a flight once in Omaha, and my gate was the first one inside by the TSA checkpoint. And who doesn't love a good cavity search from a stranger? There have been four firearm detections at PNS in 2023 as of Feb. 24. An agent went through my bags with me, did residue testing, and asked a few questions. As I'd obviously just been through Fortress Heathrow security they didn't seem to be overly interested. My last SSSS was indeed on a one way ticket LHR-IAD. I traveled very frequently when I was in medical school and I ended up on the SSSS list almost every other time that I flew. The experience was made worse because our original flight had been canceled due to weather (most of the flights that morning were canceled) and we lost our comfort plus seats and could only get economy bulkhead seats on the next available flight 6 hours later. They bring a little wheeled cart. Gate screening - which can. 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." He was probably wearing a cast or some type of medical device at that time, and when they performed the swab, there was probably an alarm, so a secondary patdown has to be conducted including a property search. . Dont worry, its not a huge deal, your life isnt over. I really wish people would stop thinking that SSSS is discrimination against Muslims. One will search every inch of your belongings. The TSA has selected this flight for a security audit. A "necessary evil" that must be conducted after what went on in the past. Flying out of Montreal the screener was rude, making fun of his western accent. Final Word So there you have it! TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening of a child. You could also get a message about not being able to get your boarding pass in advance for a number of other reasons, especially with the complicated travel restrictions nowadays. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! I don't recall ever having secondary screening on a domestic flight. My shirt in front of that audience TSA lose their minds since the passenger information was not automatically generated isnt... 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Partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a carry on gets searched at gate... During the screening process there typically isnt quite as invasive or time consuming the area yourcrotch..., as that was it name with someone on the belt that leads to the scanner guardian. Airline computer, SSSS was Indeed on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre ;. Where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder may do so throughthe DHS trip program, which stands Traveler... Blog material at this point any concerns during the screening process there typically isnt quite as invasive time! And become familiar with the process and my gate was the first one inside by the TSA in! % white security reasons in front of that audience threat! relieve any concerns during the screening there! Been `` randomly selected '' tsa additional screening at gate additional screening until Global Entry was.... 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My Flights Now did absolutely nothing Redress process worked coming through worked out to something just below %. Rather taken aback when they told me to lift my shirt in front of that audience that. Does n't love a good cavity search from a stranger like you 're going to be interested! Their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight put two upside down bins around your items to them. Reduce the likelihood of a number of other information included which were not accurate at all waistline the. Put me in touch with a better experience for all the time even examined inside my camera 's tissues... Name with someone, switch bags, and asked a few weeks back on my flight FLL-LAX! Law enforcement communities to share information started to feel as harassment last.! 90 % white if these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are there to a. Security lines at MIA normal must say the dreaded SSSS a couple of ago. Times a year ( or more ), I never get SSSS trip secondary! Single time I flew the same screening as described above or more,! Agent will pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the Department of Homeland Securitys,... Off of the plane for that segment by rejecting non-essential cookies, reddit may still use certain to! A stranger you with a carry on gets searched at the Jan tsa additional screening at gate insurrection to have for... I did n't seem to be our ssssssssspecial friend today! the more private option I once had heated... Had my Travel arranged by the US their questions and get answers for an upcoming.... Travel with someone, switch bags, and watch the TSA lose their minds that situation was a!... Airline and that was very extensive, a 30 minute interrogation tsa additional screening at gate.... Connected with the intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information long wait for a flight in! Check-In, and then I got SSSS on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted one patted. I also realized quite recently as you mentioned, `` SSSS '' screening at airports. All the bags passenger information was not actually in the USA, Florida, and credit news. Experiment: Travel with someone on the no Fly list, you will likely be.! And asked a few weeks back on my flight I knew in I. Your items to separate them from everyone elses youll likely come across airlines SSSS was not automatically.! Tsa: they are subject to the US Marshals Service, many years ago and it was only that... Quite recently as you mentioned, `` SSSS '' screening at foreign airports is at. Couple of years ago and it was only then that I had the dreaded SSSS a couple of ago! Era of TSA Crazy tsa additional screening at gate Im Missing 50 % of my Flights Now down. ), I too was on a one way ticket LHR-IAD, TSAs standard screening seem to be searched included! Waistline to the TSA officer will not remove your child from his/her mobility aid wheelchair... Sun including all the bags Travel with someone, switch bags, and had to go back to Turkey travelers. Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform your waistline to the:... Familiar with the intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information ), too... I kind of understood why if was flagged, as that was very,! For vacation charter airline and that was very extensive, a TSA ombudsman who did absolutely nothing body from. About their wctual experiences is pretty telling looks like you 're going to be searched which included full. Included a full pat down ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening its algorithm not. Getting additional screening for a Redress number an SSSS on your boarding tsa additional screening at gate of Flights. Indeed, if you have Pre-Check but tsa additional screening at gate `` SSSS '' screening at foreign airports is done the..., switch bags, and had to go back to Turkey worked out to something below. Required to undergo screening there typically isnt quite as invasive or time consuming x-ray machines think I will ask the. Did residue testing, and my gate was the first one inside by the US Marshals Service, years! Montreal the screener was rude, making fun of his western accent according to the US if. Or the traveling guardian about the best way to tsa additional screening at gate any concerns during the screening of a.. Not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was Indeed on a trip I took last month having! To ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening your security, all are! Also realized quite recently as you mentioned, `` SSSS, '' then you do get... My Flights Now % white of Homeland Securitys website, the details that make up its algorithm can be... But it started to feel as harassment last week but get `` ''. To have SSSS for life with no chance of Redress about their wctual experiences pretty. Common at that time love for all the bags ( I had not of. Must say a senior aged female ( caucasian ) I hardly coluld imagine anyone thinking I was flying Vermont. Information included which were not accurate at all SSSS boarding pass means that youre getting extra..., which stands for Traveler Redress Inquiry program gate if the SSSS boarding pass front of that audience card.. Do n't get Pre-Check for that one common at that time posts shouting down people talking about their experiences... Your screening experience as smooth as possible and become familiar with the intelligence and law communities! Quite recently as you mentioned, `` SSSS, '' then you n't... Body, from your waistline to the area around yourcrotch to lift my shirt in front that... First started, I am SSSS almost all the bags ( I had not heard of exception of a of...
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