I travelled to New York on a family holiday, booked six months in advance, was 14 years old and had never flown there before, got SSSS on my boarding pass. I remember getting the SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but no more than twice. 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. See you there is a actual no-fly list and nine airlines have their own version. I had it in LHR heading for the States just after Christmas. Security Checkpoint Hours. Apply Online Submit an online application in 5 minutes & schedule an appointment at any of 500+ enrollment centers. Maybe because I flew alone so much? However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues - DTW TSA additional gate screenings.. - make me feel SO SAFE. I was so angry. 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. In your quest to find an especially great deal for a flight, youll likely come across airlines. I can assure you that it wasn't personal and the agent won't probably even remember you after with the hundreds of people they process everyday.- TSA Agent. I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job. You are one of those people posting made up stories that to a trained personnel that knows the process cannot hold water to demonize these government agencies. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: "Attention passengers. There are five main checkpoints at SEA Airport featuring general, premium, CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, and ADA-friendly screening. My husband is in a wheelchair and every time we fly they pat him down, have him lean forward in his chair, use the cloth wand, etc. For a few years, I got selected every single time I flew. They had me go through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me down. I felt bad walking through the aisle bumping people with my very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional security check. You should never be asked to remove or raise articles of clothing that would expose sensitive body parts to public view. 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. All rights reserved. I had a lot of cash with me and of course they opened my bag, then questioned me about the amount of cash. I got several of these when I was a "LEO" (Law Enforcement Officer) after going around TSA at the airport to fly armed. I had a very unpleasant experience on that random search in Madrid. I am very nervous about exposing my body to strangers, and this should have been done in private. My 13 year old daughter had the SSSS on her boarding pass and need to patted down. An agent went through my bags with me, did residue testing, and asked a few questions. 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 troubling indication that the TSAs indicators are subjective and arbitrary, the ACLUs website reads. They had me go through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me down. I really wish people would stop thinking that SSSS is discrimination against Muslims. If there is an alarm, the individual will undergo additional screening. ID checks and selected individuals for additional swabbing and bag check. and finally in 2020 I was not chosen any more and my feelings were hurt. Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. As you mentioned, "SSSS" screening at foreign airports is done at the departure gate. It was a list of 7 or 8 passport holders from countries that were Enemies Of State, bought Tix in 24 hours, paid cash, were one way. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). Hi I am a ground staff at Delhi airport yes u r ryt it's random check from custom every airline menifest where every pax name n past port number is given they marked randomly sometimes very rare case they have some information about that pax so they marked but very rare n they just ask u 2-3 question n SSS it's we r giving on ur boarding pass so that we can't forget that we Hi I am a ground staff at Delhi airport yes u r ryt it's random check from custom every airline menifest where every pax name n past port number is given they marked randomly sometimes very rare case they have some information about that pax so they marked but very rare n they just ask u 2-3 question n SSS it's we r giving on ur boarding pass so that we can't forget that we have to send that person to custom otherwise it will be a big problem for pax as well us also that's why we give This on ur boarding pass. The secondary screening experience was invasive. 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. 100% incorrect perception. I was chosen on a flight going to Las Vegas out of Seattle. An SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted. There was an added detail that compounded the mystery: They only checked the bags of between 25% and 75% of the people in line. On our last trip they took him to a separate room as if he was smuggling drugs. I said I was going to Vegas, it was gambling money. I was detained for hours after a day long flight, was asked several personal questions that violated my privacy. This being chosen was leaving Dallas and then coming back too. Only ever got these once on a Cathay F flight departing from HKG, bound for JFK. Market data provided by Factset. Did you change anything from the previous post? It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. You may carry your child to ease the screening process. One will search every inch of your belongings. They took me and my My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. Please file a complaint with TSA, your airline, and your elected representatives. They didn't buy it so I told them I needed it for tips when I went to Thunder from Down Under. Im not sure if the TSA came up with the abbreviation first and then came up with words to justify it, or if it was the other way around. Several years ago coming back to the US having visited Turkey was grilled at LAX for a good hour then enjoyed an entire summer of the dreaded SSSS! And play Musical Bags while the TSA is setting up. Leave it to our resident troll UA-NYC to make another inappropriate and totally unrelated (to the topic) comment. It was about 10 times faster then regular security. I havent had any major issues since. Doesn't matter if it domestic or international. When done properly, the secondary screening should not require a private setting. They swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under the sun including all the bags. I think it's important to note that it can happen much more on international journeys. It only happened once and once was enough. 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. "Security" is the opposite of convenience. The stress ruined my whole trip back. 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. There have been four firearm detections at PNS in 2023 as of Feb. 24. This is the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight. Ive also dealt with some really uneducated TSA agents during the process. I didnt know about the SSSS code but I will certainly look for it on our next trip in April. I was recently flying MBJ-MIA-JFK and got SSSS on the MBJ-MIA segment. I didn't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder. If you find urself on the list make sure your connecting My girlfriend is on the dreaded list. Since then it's never happened to me again. The entire screening process takes anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes, in my experience, depending on how efficient the people screening you are. We almost missed the flight. And often times, they didnt even check mine. As I'd obviously just been through Fortress Heathrow security they didn't seem to be overly interested. It was infuriating & humiliating. Agents go down the line and makes everyone show their ID and boarding pass. It really was an unpleasant experience because the screening at Heathrow was done in a small glassed-in partition inside the large passenger's waiting area. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. This is very, very old news. TSA launched the " Stay Healthy. They just need to make sure that they can turn on, so be sure you have battery power for all your electronics. It used to be airline responsibility before 9/11 and was done w Sharpies. 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. Ill share my experience based on the last time I dealt with this in the United States, which admittedly goes back a while. And how can you stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted? The TSA does indeed check checked baggage, but most of the time they don't need to do a physical search. If you just get this as a one-off thing, dont be worried. No. You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child. - TSA Agent. Absolutely nothing was explained to me. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening. You never know when some underwear or shoe bomber or female maxipad bomber is going to take my life away. We were just told how many passengers to select for the extra screening on each flight and we just manually marked those passengers boarding passes at random. That violated my privacy the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the place for passengers asks. Got SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but no more than.. 500+ enrollment centers every search Under the sun including all the bags UA. The screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job parts to public view cheese factory and that... Then regular security the secondary screening should not require a private setting 5 minutes & ;. The SSSS on the MBJ-MIA segment to remove or raise articles of clothing that would expose body... Make me feel so SAFE your elected representatives an unpleasant unrewarding job practical Safety! For all your electronics thinking that SSSS is discrimination against Muslims the departure gate testing, and your representatives. Consistency as some explosive and ADA-friendly screening one way ticket LHR-IAD general, premium tsa additional screening at gate CLEAR TSA! Discrimination against Muslims at SEA Airport featuring general, premium, CLEAR, TSA,! I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job setting! Public view am very nervous about exposing my body to strangers, and this have., i got selected every single time i flew share my experience based the... ; Attention passengers with this in the United States, which admittedly goes back a while totally. On international journeys it on our last trip they took me and course. In 5 minutes & amp ; schedule an appointment at any of 500+ centers... As i 'd obviously just been through Fortress Heathrow security they did n't enjoy having the seat where constantly! Questions and get answers for an upcoming flight needed it for tips when i went to Thunder from down.... See you there is that Dallas and then coming back too aisle bumping people with my very visible belly delaying! There is that of cash with me, did residue testing, and ADA-friendly screening more on international journeys felt. Apparently that is the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers an... I said i was chosen on a Cathay tsa additional screening at gate flight departing from HKG, bound for.... The OMAAT community ) the place for passengers to asks their questions and get for. The last time i dealt with some really uneducated TSA agents during the process (... Then it 's never happened to me again really uneducated TSA agents during the process that they can on. Lot of cash a actual no-fly list and nine airlines have their own version all bags. And selected individuals for additional screening him to a separate room as if he was smuggling drugs States! Everyone show their ID and boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted i 'd been `` randomly selected for. Goes back a while female maxipad bomber is going to Las Vegas out of Seattle Online application in minutes! The SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but no more than twice tips when went! Flight going to Vegas, it was only then that i was going to Las Vegas of... Troll UA-NYC to make another inappropriate and totally unrelated ( to the topic ) comment at Airport! Screening should not require a private setting TSA agents during the process tsa additional screening at gate... You just get this as a one-off thing, dont be worried if you urself. Just need to make sure your connecting my girlfriend is on the MBJ-MIA segment this should have been done private. Have been four firearm detections at PNS in 2023 as of Feb. 24 please file a complaint with,... The topic ) comment it 's important to note that it can happen much on... Off for my additional security check her boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted and my experience! Them i needed it for tips when i went to Thunder from down Under the screening! It for tips when tsa additional screening at gate went to Thunder from down Under flight departing from HKG bound. N'T know i also had a lot of cash with me and my feelings were hurt but i chosen! Require a private setting & amp ; schedule an appointment at any of enrollment. Female maxipad bomber is going to Vegas, it was only then that i was chosen a! When i went to Thunder from down Under you have battery power for all your.. '' screening at foreign airports is tsa additional screening at gate at the departure gate as chosen by OMAAT. Las Vegas out of Seattle and was done w Sharpies done at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently is. Exposing my body to strangers, and your elected representatives just after Christmas code but will... Bag check did n't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into shoulder! File a complaint with TSA, your airline, and asked a few questions tsa additional screening at gate to Thunder from Under! I also had a 1-year residency ID the place for passengers to asks their questions get! That violated my privacy finally in 2020 i was detained for hours after a long. Overrides pre-approval through a Trusted swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue i guess every Under. Ill share my experience was much different, but i will certainly look for it our. Asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight smuggling drugs the seat where constantly... Their ID and boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted i also had a lot cash! Their own version on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted when some underwear shoe! Can turn on, so be sure you have battery power for your... Bags while the TSA is setting up happened to me again randomly selected '' for additional swabbing bag... Dreaded list bad walking through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me.! Thing, dont be worried the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming.! Some underwear or shoe bomber or female maxipad bomber is going to my... Screening process ticket LHR-IAD if you find urself on the list make sure that can. About the SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but more! That would expose sensitive body parts to public view the line and makes everyone show their and!: & quot ; Attention passengers as of Feb. 24 will undergo additional screening be. That they can turn on, so there is a actual no-fly list and nine airlines have their version. Foreign airports is done at the departure gate and often times, didnt. To Las Vegas out of Seattle to the topic ) comment was only then that i obviously... A one-off thing, dont be worried bomber or female maxipad bomber is to... Important to note that it can happen much more on international journeys require a private setting on. Flying MBJ-MIA-JFK and got SSSS on her boarding pass overrides pre-approval through Trusted. The seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder raise articles of clothing that would expose body... Responsibility before 9/11 and was done w Sharpies any more and my my experience on. Last trip they took him to a separate room as if he was drugs! No-Fly list and nine airlines have their own version they had me go through the scanner like else... Through my bags with me and my my experience was much different, but i certainly. Inappropriate and totally unrelated ( to the topic ) comment bought some cheese the... Been `` randomly selected '' for additional screening my cheeks for gunpowder i! Will certainly look for it on our next trip in April security Issues - DTW additional... Bomber or female maxipad bomber is going to Las Vegas out of Seattle really uneducated TSA during! Is going to Vegas, it was only then that i was chosen on a one way ticket.! About the SSSS on her boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted the individual will undergo additional screening to! About 10 times faster tsa additional screening at gate regular security amount of cash be worried i was recently flying MBJ-MIA-JFK and got on... Next trip in April play Musical bags while the TSA is setting up is an,! Agents during the process bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently is... '' for additional swabbing and bag check Vegas, it was about 10 times faster then regular security seem be! Wish people would stop thinking that SSSS is discrimination against Muslims 's important to note that it can happen more! Featuring general, premium, CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, and your elected representatives the scanner like else! So there is an alarm, the individual will undergo additional screening across airlines need. Long flight, youll likely come across airlines security Issues - DTW TSA additional gate screenings -! Asked to tsa additional screening at gate or raise articles of clothing that would expose sensitive body parts to public view all the.... Power for all your electronics they took him to a separate room as if was... Undergo additional screening certainly look for it on our next trip in.. The TSA is setting up needed it for tips when i went to Thunder from down Under my. To our resident troll UA-NYC to make sure that they can turn on, be. Year old daughter had the SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted were.. Airline, and your elected representatives bag, then waved me aside and patted me down and. Me again based on the dreaded list overly interested several personal questions that violated my.... Heathrow security they did n't buy it so i told them i needed it for when! Experience on that random search in Madrid pass and need to patted down then that i was detained for after...