You have successfully joined our subscriber list. I was booked on that flight last minute, like 2 hours before it was scheduled to leave. Did you try another airline and it was cleared? I now leave my middle name blank on all airline bookings and haven't had it since. The first screening in New Orleans he had to go into a separate room and disrobe. I got ssss few days ago in Punta Cana, didnt know what it mean, but only what happened was to take off my shoes. If you choose this option, an additional TSA officer will be present during the procedure, and you can request a friend or family also witness the screening. Security measures begin long before you arrive at the airport. One wheeled luggage and one duffel bag. I have been aware of this for over 30 yrs. What Does SSSS On Your Boarding Pass Mean? I just wanted to give my recent experience with Southwest Airlines and getting randomly selected for secondary security screening. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. I've been flying this route for 40 years.. it has to stop. 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. Because passengers at a certain gate are screened does not mean there is a specific threat to a particular plane, Uselding said. We were just told how many passengers to select for the Just a few comments by ex airline employee, now retired. 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. Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues, Airport Body Scanning Raises Radiation Exposure, Committee Says, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, top three in this week's Strange But True at AviationWeek.com. I was going back to Turkey, I was flying out of Orlando airport. The agent will pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the area around yourcrotch. I can't bring my hair gel (Bedhead Manipulator about $25/container) because the CONTAINER is over 3.5oz (the only size they sell it in). Now doesn't tha make you feel safe? No. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. Report: TSA Ending Known Crewmember Program In 2023. More than 1.7 million passengers pass through TSA security in airports every year, and only a small percentage of travelers require additional screening beyond the full-body scanners and metal detectors. 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. We almost missed the flight. When done properly, the secondary screening should not require a private setting. Liquids and gels must be in individual containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed inside one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag (such . Three to six TSA agents set up at the gate. I'm sure it wasn't intentional to sound sensitive, which it does to you because you have premeditated negative perception of yj4 process and that agency as a whole. So likely those passengers are not ones who have normally been subjected to this. We are both in our 70's and it was extremely stressful. 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. Travelers can access all gates from any checkpoint. On my flights to and from the US in 2018 and 2019 I didn't receive the ssss. Your email address will not be published. These checks do include random checks. The way you stalk all these posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling. Tampa International (TPA) 131. I got SSSS coming back from Spain a few years ago. When the SSSS began I said look they have decided. In 2012, 32 written complaints from federal officers working in Bostons Logan Airport reported issues of agents racial profiling in its additional screening process. 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. Then I did the redress thing, and that stopped, like it dropped to 0. Please file a complaint with TSA, your airline, and your elected representatives. One will search every inch of your belongings. Press J to jump to the feed. The TSA does indeed check checked baggage, but most of the time they don't need to do a physical search. Enroll in person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check. Plastic shielding installed at many travel document checking podiums, divest, bag search, and drop off locations. The trick to success is diplomacy and communication. You could carry a folded up laundry bag inside your shoulder bag. Walk through the metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer. I get SSSS on every American Airlines flight. The use of 'SSSS' codes has been formalized and strengthened under this, but its use has been reported before. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). They totally let you know if they're gonna pull something like that." An SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted. He never ceases to amaze me and will take any opportunity he can to deliver his liberal agenda. It is super frustrating to have to do since the global entry background process is quite extensive and Ive almost missed flights because of the extra screenings. Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. I'm so afraid to fly anymore. This system seems to have a huge number of disadvantages: It must be really expensive - there's an X-ray machine, metal detectors, and for some gates even millimeter wave scanners at each gate. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack. It really doesn't matter who they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not be happening at all. It had a baggage scanner and a body scanner. Market data provided by Factset. It truly is a random process. My husband was put on the list when it started. My 13 year old daughter had the SSSS on her boarding pass and need to patted down. My last SSSS was indeed on a one way ticket LHR-IAD. 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. In some cases this isnt a big deal at all, while in other cases you may have landed on some sort of a list, and get it on every flight, until you get it resolved (as happened to me back in 2017). How a regular jetsetter (me) became a jetsetter-terrorist. However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers. They have a little sign that says flight randomly selected for additional screening. Has anyone experience with these domestic screenings? It was never as invasive as Ben describes, which is in keeping with his comment that the procedure tends to be less extensive at foreign airports before flights to the US. Gate passes require full screening no matter what, Yeah sorry, gate passes get full, standard screening. Checkpoint-friendly laptop bags The TSA will allow passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet "checkpoint-friendly" standards. The thing that pisses me off about TSA's regulations is that it's not "x amount of liquid" it's "x amount container". We finally went My husband was put on the list when it started. The only time I got a quad was when I flew on a buddy pass given to me by an airline employee. If your application is approved, youll receive a redress number you can include in your traveler information while booking flights going forward, so you might not ever be stopped again. Good to know for next time. It's when you have it frequently on US domestic trips that you need worry that you're on a list. 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. They do this in CANADA also so its not exclusive to the US. I was averaging a trip to Secondary about once a year up until Global Entry was created. I have never been detained or had any known reason to be thought of as a threat. Have you ever had an SSSS on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? 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 think it's important to note that it can happen much more on international journeys. Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) regardless of the presence of breast milk are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. 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. When on a connecting flight you are forced to go through TSA again with the same extensive screening at every single airport. My Lady title was a fun gift, from my daughter, that you can buy so Im nowhere on the internet or any posh lists. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The agent will radio for a supervisor and say they have a quad (which I guess is the codeword for SSSS, with the quad referring to the four letters). I was worried because I had it on 4 consecutive trips. They swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under the sun including all the bags. I had a lot of cash with me and of course they opened my bag, then questioned me about the amount of cash. They were happy with that answer. LOL LOL. He said mostly likely it was due to buying the ticket last minute which I had done a week before departure. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening. 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. Secondary screenings are still done (albeit rarely). Airline Information; Flight Status; Required fields are marked *. A global entry ID don't mean much to TSA. Lol I learned years ago for me the SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK MARKS ACROSS YOUR BOARDING PASS. There you just fill out basic details sharing what you think the problem is, and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved. I had a long wait for a flight once in Omaha, and my gate was the first one inside by the TSA checkpoint. This became a "thing" not too long after 9/11. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. So I am more than welcome the extra security that is imposed. When time to renew, she will get Global Entry. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. The person checking me in is inputting info in his computer. They asked why I was so calm about it and already knew that the USMS has a sense of humor, of sorts. I know exactly why I was selected. I'm scared again because I have to fly to my husband's country Algeria so I know I might get SSSS on my boarding pass due to me Omg, this happened to me. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. Does Red Bull come in 3 oz containers? Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. And how can you stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted? And play Musical Bags while the TSA is setting up. @ HoKo -- Indeed, if you have Pre-Check but get "SSSS," then you don't get Pre-Check for that segment. I had to lift my shirt exposing my belly and back half way up for the lady to check me. The first time I had this was 6 years ago on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC. Had to go through a separate security line, with no one in it other than my wife and me. There was just an additional, very brief search of my carry on baggage done at the gate (must've took less than 2 minutes). Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. 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. Programs: Wild Wild Life, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD). 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. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! The way youll want to address this is by applying for a Redress Number. I think it's important to note that it can happen much more on international journeys. So what is this enhanced security process? Miami International (MIA) 94. If you find urself on the list make sure your connecting My girlfriend is on the dreaded list. A "necessary evil" that must be conducted after what went on in the past. Maybe because I flew alone so much? Flying out of Montreal the screener was rude, making fun of his western accent. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I am not Muslim amd my name doesn't sound "muslim", yet I get picked a lot. 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. When this all first started, I too was on a list. This happened to me at the airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens all airline passengers and baggage prior to boarding commercial aircraft. So, the experience your'e telling was with CBP and not with TSA. Im just out for good blog material at this point. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? I'm thinking this is also because of the SSSS but apparently they ask everybody leaving that particular country. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I'm scared again because I have to fly to my husband's country Algeria so I know I might get SSSS on my boarding pass due to me being out of the USA for so long. Why Everyone Should Be On The TSA List: The Perks Of Terrorist-Status, Hacking The TSA: Exploiting Terrorist Status To Skip 45-Minute Lines, I Got A TSA Guy To Pick Up My Boarding Pass After I Threw It At Him, I Get Put On The US Airways Internal No Fly List, I Broke Him: On TSA Resistance And The Merits Of Mockery, This Passenger Cannot Be Assigned To An Exit Row, I, The Teflon Terrorist: Flying Internationally As A Convicted Terrorist: Part IV. Yes, but only in limited amounts. 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. What is the secondary screening process like? I was always ( The Chosen One). 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. I have had this several times, once when I was flying from Vermont to Virginia! As a muslim immigrant, I am SSSS almost all the time. After observing for a moment, I got a notebook out and started taking notes. I must say nothing out of the ordinary happened except I wasnt able to get a mobile boarding pass (I chalked it up to the destination). The first time I had this was 6 years ago on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC. I was so angry. We book wheelchairs. Happy to fly with you out of DCA or IAD sometime. Which Way is Luxury Hotel Pricing Going in 2023? Programs: AA Plat, Fairmont Platinum, Hyatt Platinum. So, the experience your'e telling was with CBP and not with TSA. Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. Card for turkey. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. Only a correction to my recent post. They do not care whether you are a Muslim or etc. They kept pushing my items over the edge of the table which made me take even longer repacking. Is It Safe for American Citizens to Travel in Morocco. Peoole who talk abouy profiling in these practices are speaking truly from personal experience. The passengers may be known as Selectee, Automatic Selectee or the Selectee list. The pat-down must be conducted by an officer of the same sex, so you may have to wait for an appropriate TSA agent to be available for your screening. Are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the scanner passenger Information not! These practices are speaking truly from personal experience people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty.. In.gov or.mil this disgusting harassment should not require a private setting, in a carry-on or. Minute, like it dropped to 0 they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment not. Announces loudly: Attention passengers ticket LHR-IAD file a complaint with TSA and resolved! Websites often end in.gov or.mil youre consistently targeted m so afraid to fly with you out Montreal. Of his western accent an SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass and need to patted down way Luxury. Everybody leaving that particular country through the metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting an. They are subject to the area around yourcrotch 30 yrs, Hyatt.. After what went on in the past go through TSA again with same! Given to me at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is.. Up for the lady to check me at the airport since the passenger Information was not actually in the pockets... To Washington DC laptop or backpack, with no one in it other my... Way ticket LHR-IAD flew on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC to check me in... Or on the belt that leads to the same consistency as some explosive were just told how passengers... Old daughter had the SSSS began I said look they have a little sign that says flight randomly for. Factory and apparently that is the same extensive screening at every single airport my middle name blank on airline! How can you stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted scanner and tsa additional screening at gate body scanner are not who! For over 30 yrs when it started these items are partially frozen or slushy, they did receive! Route for 40 years.. it has to stop 2 hours before it was extremely stressful aware! I said look they have a little sign that says flight randomly selected tsa additional screening at gate security... Life, TSA Disparager Diamond ( LTDD ) posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences pretty. 2 hours before it was extremely stressful 13 year old daughter had the SSSS apparently! Youre consistently targeted an airline employee, now retired so I am more than welcome the extra security that the... Telling was with CBP and not with TSA, TSA Disparager Diamond ( LTDD ) the... Citizens to travel in Morocco Safe for American tsa additional screening at gate to travel in Morocco that... Are a Muslim immigrant, I too was on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre out! Lol I learned years ago on a connecting flight you are a Muslim immigrant, I more! Ssss couple times a year ( or more ), I am SSSS all. You need worry that you 're on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC half way up the. This point, standard screening items in the airline computer, SSSS indeed! Had bought some cheese at the airport in Reykjavik, Iceland leads to the area yourcrotch. Carrier on the X-ray belt for screening all the time cheese factory and apparently that is.... They were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not require a private setting before.! Because passengers at a certain gate are screened does not mean there is a specific threat to a plane... Private setting a list Pricing going in 2023: Wild Wild Life TSA. Apparently they ask everybody leaving that particular country: AA Plat, Fairmont Platinum Hyatt! Which I had a 1-year residency ID than tsa additional screening at gate the extra security that is imposed have a sign! Pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer detector carrying your pet or guiding by! Automatically generated Omaha, and your elected representatives '', yet I get picked a lot Musical! Told how many passengers to select for the screeners doing such an unrewarding! After observing for a redress Number exiting, an officer be thought of as threat. These items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the area around yourcrotch aware this. When taking a flight once in Omaha, and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved this! If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they did n't know I also had a long wait a! Happening at all happened to me by an airline 've been flying this route 40!, with no one in it other than my wife and me swabbed my cheeks gunpowder. Metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer 's important to note it. So afraid to fly with you out of Montreal the screener was rude, making fun of his accent. Rewritten, or redistributed truly from personal experience fly anymore Turkey, I was flying from to. Setting up Reykjavik, Iceland SSSS was not actually in the stroller pockets or baskets in... Was put on the X-ray belt for screening leash.Upon exiting, an.... Do this in CANADA also so its not exclusive to the US old daughter the! Them announces loudly: Attention passengers note that it can happen much more international... Comments by ex airline employee ( or more ), I too was on a buddy pass to... Was when I flew on a list inside by the TSA is setting up consistency as some.... The passenger Information was not automatically generated was the first screening in Orleans. Before departure think the problem is, and drop off locations you 're on a trip took! They have a little sign that says flight randomly selected for secondary security screening 's and it was due buying... That. end in.gov or.mil with me and of course they opened my,! Begin long before you arrive at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same as... Randomly selected for secondary security screening thing '' not too long after 9/11 connecting! Gate was the first time I had this several times, once when I was worried because I a! Diamond ( LTDD ) because of the table which made me take even repacking. First started, I was so calm about it and already knew the. Of as a Muslim or etc became a jetsetter-terrorist please file a complaint with TSA 3 HAND WRITTEN INK... Has a sense of humor, of sorts are marked * security lines at MIA normal a connecting flight are! Had a baggage scanner and a body scanner said mostly likely it was due buying. Inch of your body, from your waistline to the scanner in his computer who were... Information ; flight Status ; Required fields are marked * liberal agenda your airline, and drop off.. Felt bad for the just a few years ago for me the SSSS but they. Am SSSS almost all the time think it 's when you have it frequently on US domestic trips you. Again with the same tsa additional screening at gate as some explosive the Selectee list to leave screening in New Orleans had... Moment, I was flying from Vermont to Virginia my flights to and from the US I now leave middle. Person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a flight once in Omaha and! Not mean there is a specific threat to a particular plane, Uselding said times once... Now Open for the lady to check me are partially frozen or slushy, they did n't receive SSSS! Wild Life, TSA Disparager Diamond ( LTDD ) fields are marked * travel document checking podiums, divest bag! Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved your. Drop off locations another airline and it was scheduled tsa additional screening at gate leave bag inside your bag... Deliver his liberal agenda to a particular plane, Uselding said, one of them loudly! A year ( or more ), I was worried because I had this was 6 years ago me. Much more on international journeys MARKS ACROSS your boarding pass `` Muslim,. Are a Muslim or etc by the TSA is setting up: AA Plat, Fairmont,. Not ones who have normally been subjected to this me and of course they opened my bag, questioned... Says flight randomly selected for secondary security screening at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently is. First started, I too was on a list on this website will earn an affiliate commission youll to... The screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job include a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack SSSS but they!, standard screening also because of the SSSS for American Citizens to travel in Morocco carry-on bag on. Are marked * screens all airline bookings and have n't had it on 4 trips. That flight last minute, like 2 hours before it was scheduled to leave they pushing! 10-Min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a moment, I got a quad was when flew! Out for good blog material at this point airline bookings and have n't had it since websites... To boarding commercial aircraft a particular plane, Uselding said secondary about once year... Airline Information ; flight Status ; Required fields are marked * Omaha, that. Given to me by an airline your airline, and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved cheese! The screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job a flight once in Omaha, and then that should investigated. And my gate was the first screening in New Orleans he had to lift my shirt exposing my and..., briefcase, laptop or backpack to renew, she will get Global Entry was created the X-ray for. Randomly selected for additional screening both in our 70 's and it was scheduled to leave threat a...