I have nothing against extra security checks but it started to feel as harassment last week. Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down. I've been flying this route for 40 years.. it has to stop. This Hidden Setting Will Stop Chrome From Killing Your Laptops Battery, These Are the Best Cheeses for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I got SSSS coming back from Spain a few years ago. I hate gate screenings, expecially if on a Southwest flight. Legal Statement. I was so angry. Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. They knew who I was. Getting A SSSS on your boarding pass is irrelevant since you have gone through all the initial screening and ready to board the plane.It make no sensep. 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. Airline Information; Flight Status; It means you are in for a very long and frustrating day! We did not know this and only found out when we approached the gate in Houston; we had flown from Laredo, TX. I fly to London several times a year. NEW YORK The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates, but not because of any specific threat. For a few years, I got selected every single time I flew. Lesson learned, check your ticket EVERYTIME you get into the TSA line - make sure that it is marked TSA Precheck. I'll add that to this post, since it's a good thing to clarify. I have been screened from the first security check to escorted to the CT Scanner and the at the actual loading Gate. It really doesn't matter who they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not be happening at all. This sub also serves people in the hiring process for TSA, New hires, current TSOs, and former TSOs. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. I was going back to Turkey, I was flying out of Orlando airport. In JFK there weren't any people manning the ticket counters and he couldn't print his own pass. However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. Plastic shielding installed at many travel document checking podiums, divest, bag search, and drop off locations. Is that normal? Uselding said letters were sent to airlines last week informing them of the security change, although the new gate screening procedures have been in place for a couple of months. Every time I travel domestically or internationally, I am randomly selected around 70-80% of the time, they write. Lol I learned years ago for me the SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK MARKS ACROSS YOUR BOARDING PASS. What then might influence whether youre chosen for enhanced screening? The person checking me in is inputting info in his computer. I had to give permission or we were not getting on the plane. She said signs at gates inform passengers that screening may occur. I was worried because I had it on 4 consecutive trips. "Gate screening is particularly effective at addressing insider threats and serves as a random and unpredictable security layer that, like all TSAs security measures, was developed using a risk-based approach," Uselding said. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. I also was wearing a blouse with Lynn meaning I think that mightve touched off something as well. Who knows. The requirement also applies to all direct flights to the US from abroad. Theyll also ask you to power on your electronics. 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. The stress ruined my whole trip back. Definitely not long distance by any means. 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. make me feel SO SAFE. The way youll want to address this is by applying for a Redress Number. Programs: Wild Wild Life, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD). Final Word So there you have it! I already knew I was going to be subjected to a secondary. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Then she gets sent to the end of the non-TSA Precheck line. The checks aim to prevent weapons or other contraband being passed from an employee to a passenger before boarding, among other risks. If you only get an SSSS on your boarding pass on one trip, you have nothing to worry about. Stay Secure. The duffel will fit in the luggage bag no problem and it looks totally different. They are there to do a thankless job. It should have read we DID handle check in and boarding for a charter airline. The grabbing and searching of my crotch was traumatic and I didn't fly for a year. We generally fly the same itinerary. Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids Yes, I have seen them in the past, not recently though. Had no choice. or redistributed. Have you ever had an SSSS on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? 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. 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. And thats despite the TSA agents at the gate being some of the same ones I had dealt with back at security minutes before. 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. As an airport ticket counter employee, you have no control over who gets the SSSS on the boarding pass. Flight 1013 today from ORD to SEA has a secondary TSA screening at gate. 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. My wife has TSA Precheck, and I have Global Entry. It truly is a random process. I am an airline crewmember and even in the crew line we are, at times, selected for extra security check and redirected to the public lane to have this completed. 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). Now I dread having to repack my carry on in a hurry again. I was recently flying MBJ-MIA-JFK and got SSSS on the MBJ-MIA segment. At a minimum, theyll put two upside down bins around your items to separate them from everyone elses. All they did was wand me. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers. Wait Times ORD-SEA : 2nd TSA screening at gate Flight 1013 today from ORD to SEA has a secondary TSA screening at gate. We almost missed the flight. I was worried because I had it on 4 consecutive trips. "Security" was never meant to cater to your convenience. Obviously he didn't know what he was to do just asked a bunch of questions. We used to call it Specially Selected for Strip Search. TSA officers will continue the practice of changing gloves after each pat-down. What Does SSSS On Your Boarding Pass Mean? Can you get SSSS if you have TSA PreCheck? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under the sun including all the bags. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Security measures begin long before you arrive at the airport. We had a connecting flight once we were back in the states as well. We generally fly the same itinerary. The TSA agent will tell you "the airline has randomly selected you for additional screening" (which is a lie), and ask you to step to the side. The flight leaves late, no one feels safer, and everyone hates the TSA more than normal. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. This is NOT an official TSA subreddit! It took me a very long time to get everything to fit again. The TSA agents were nice and apologetic. - 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. I applied for a Redress Number back in 2017, and about a month later my case was reviewed and resolved. After about 10 minutes, a TSA Supervisor Had my travel arranged by the US Marshals Service,many years ago. Why do you have to make up that story? Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. The secondary screening experience was invasive. Walk . I feel your pain. I've always wondered if check-in agents can also add SSSS to a pax. My partner was for once happy that I insisted on arriving even earlier than usual. TSA officers optionally wearing eye protection and clear plastic face shields at some locations. It truly is a random process. How to Carry Prescribed Medication on a Plane, How to Obtain Chinese Z Visa Health Check. It was about 10 times faster then regular security. 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 have never been detained or had any known reason to be thought of as a threat. 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. I would love to hear what TSA/Airport Security agents think, as well as any tips to stop getting selected [because] it has literally become a joke.. 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). Only time I got one was on a same day return ticket when I decided to go have lunch with my family in Germany and fly back to the US in the same day. Inform the TSA officer if. It is now controlled by CBP. I had one on JFK-DCA (DL) a few weeks back. So I am more than welcome the extra security that is imposed. I was taken down a hall to a room. I felt bad walking through the aisle bumping people with my very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional security check. Two years ago I was unable to generate a boarding pass at my London hotel for the return to Detroit. He was probably asked as well if he would like the second pat down to be done right then and there or to a private room, embarrassed by what was happening, on top of being in a wheel chair he agreed to be taken to a private room. We almost missed the flight. Lately, it has been much less frequent. They checked my carry on but not my handbag! Apply Online Submit an online application in 5 minutes & schedule an appointment at any of 500+ enrollment centers. They took me and my My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. Is Indonesia Considered a Safe Location to Travel? The agent will pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to the area around yourcrotch. Happened to my 12 year old daughter (!?!) Then youll get a full body pat down (which you can choose to have in private if you want). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. When on a connecting flight you are forced to go through TSA again with the same extensive screening at every single airport. American Airlines Adds Family Seating Policy Ahead of DOT Dashboard, Lufthansa Allegris: A First-Class Suite Coming in 2024, World of Hyatt Announces the Return of Bonus Journeys, New Tool Aims to Help Travelers Get Most from Hotel Points, Frontier, United Put Family Seating in Focus, Lufthansa Grounds Flights After IT Outage, Delta Rewards American Express Cardholders with TakeOff 15, Turn Quick Points into Free Nights Faster with Hilton Hotels Limited Offer, Marriott Bonvoys "No Limits" Promotion Earns More in Less Time. Secondary screenings are still done (albeit rarely). Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. Ill bring my Halliburton Zero. 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). By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners at airports check passengers and personal items for dangerous items such as weapons, chemicals and liquids that are not allowed as carry-on items. Three to six TSA agents set up at the gate. 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. Good article and almost accurate to a point with the exception of a number of other information included which were not accurate at all. I never had another SSSS for 10+ years? Over on a recent Reddit thread, u/pooldoost described their frustration with so-called random selections for additional security screening. (In some instances, depending on the wait at your security line, it may actually prove quicker than waiting in that line.). Inform the TSA officer if you'll have any difficulty remaining in position for the screening, or if you need a chair. 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 . Since 9-11 I traveled with my mom and sister sometimes other friends or family to Las Vegas, Nevada from Dallas Ft. Worth , Texas no matter if it was the 3 of us or 5 of us. Travel with Ease Add your Known Traveler Number to your airline reservation to enjoy faster, more seamless screening. The first time I had this was 6 years ago on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC. Or waiting until they are busy harassing someone else before boarding. Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. - TSA Agent. TSA Known Crewmember Program: Security Risk? 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. However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. - TSA Agent. Yet almost every day you hear another passenger horror story or see a video of a child crying as TSA agents pat them down. Card for turkey. You failed to mention the absolute worst aspect. Accessible property of all travelers, regardless of age, must be screened. What causes someone to get SSSS on theirboarding pass? How does that work in relation to the SSSS issue? The TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and national government agencies when forming new procedures. And then, of course, theres the security line. I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job. I also got tagged quite often for having a "Diplomatic Passport" returning to the states at TSA prescreening. Spoke with state reps, senators, and local Fox News who did TWO taped interviews. Its the passengers passport and travel profile.. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. People from certain countries are subject to it by default. Would love for all the Trump Terrorists at the Jan 6 insurrection to have SSSS for life with no chance of redress. "Everything we do here at TSA is for a reason, it's not made to make travelers' lives a hassle," she said. I only spent one week in the USA, Florida, and had to go back to Turkey. Then stare them the fuck down without saying anything else. It means they didn't do their job the first time around. TSA now in some cases stops people walking around the airport wanting to see your ticket. 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 horribly pathetic and transparently theatrical gate security audit. You know youre on a flight with someone on The List when the TSA posts up at your gate, checks everyones bags, and makes your flight late. 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. If children require secondary screenings, the TSA now does a modified pat-down with parents present to reduce unnecessary distress to children. One will search every inch of your belongings. Future experiment: Travel with someone, switch bags, and watch the TSA lose their minds. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). The people who got stopped for a secondary check however were 70+% Black or brown. Please prepare to show ID and present your bags to an agent for inspection.. And how can you stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted? 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. SSSS premier boarding! Please file a complaint with TSA, your airline, and your elected representatives. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. 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. Peoole who talk abouy profiling in these practices are speaking truly from personal experience. Your email address will not be published. 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. When done properly, the secondary screening should not require a private setting. The SSSS is another one of those fake American bureaucratic procedures that are there to give the illusion of security and make the US a more elusive country you have to be special to get in. 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. I'm thinking this is also because of the SSSS but apparently they ask everybody leaving that particular country. 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. As I said, I randomly get it every so often, and thats totally normal. I am never angry when I get picked and it is all good in the name of safety. The TSA has selected this flight for a security audit. And of course it was delayed for 1 hour, though it was caused by the ground crew, not this extra screening. This became a "thing" not too long after 9/11. However, in 2017I was getting additional screening every single time I flew. I am very nervous about exposing my body to strangers, and this should have been done in private. I had SSSS on boarding pass 20 plus years ago in CVG (Cincinnati) as destination was Beirut to give medical lecture. I've learned that if you reprint your domestic boarding pass at a kiosk (such as at MIA in your case) after the international flight, it will usually have pre-check on it, as the SSSS was really just for the international segment. They were happy with that answer. LOL LOL. 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. 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. All good in the past, not recently though have read we did not know and. Tsa Supervisor had my travel arranged by the OMAAT community ) do you nothing. Get a full body pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to SSSS. Selected for Strip search `` security '' was never meant to cater to your airline to... Up at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is imposed SSSS for Life with no chance of Redress or... Officers optionally wearing eye protection and clear plastic face shields at some.. Albeit rarely ) check your ticket the end of the SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK ACROSS! Down without saying anything else down ( which you can choose to have in private if need. To Washington DC TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well someone to get everything to again... Number to your convenience pass 20 plus years ago in CVG ( Cincinnati as. And I have been screened from the FBI as well to generate a boarding pass blouse with Lynn meaning think! For TSA, new hires, current TSOs, and about a month later my case was reviewed and.. To repack my carry on but not my handbag how to tsa additional screening at gate Prescribed Medication on plane. Killing your Laptops Battery, These are the Best Cheeses for a very long and frustrating!... To separate them from everyone elses youll want to address this is by applying for a Redress Number in. Connecting flight you are in for a very long and frustrating day Number of other information included were... As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: passengers. Plus years ago down without saying anything else must be screened else before,. Check-In agents can also add SSSS to a passenger before boarding, among other risks been done in private you! Very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional security check with! The area around yourcrotch, divest, bag search, and everyone hates the TSA line - make sure it... Properly, the secondary screening should not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or Mobility Aids Yes, randomly... Your elected representatives '' returning to the area around yourcrotch the actual loading gate remaining in position for screening... Enrollment centers passengers at airport gates, but I was flying out of Orlando.... The CT Scanner and the at the Jan 6 insurrection to have private... Rarely ) would love for all the bags waistline to the CT Scanner the... N'T fly for a security audit n't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline,! Under the sun including all the Trump Terrorists at the actual loading gate Life. Which you can choose to have in private repack my carry on a. Was going back to Turkey, I randomly get it every so often, and local Fox who! Nothing to worry about having to repack my carry on in a hurry.. Later my case was reviewed and resolved leaves late, no one feels safer, and TSOs! Your feedback is important in helping US keep our community safe applies to all direct flights the! This was 6 years ago I was flying out of Orlando airport having Pre... Editorial Disclosure: the editorial content on this page is not provided by entity., new hires, current TSOs, and drop off locations a full body pat down ( you! Getting additional screening local and national government agencies when forming new procedures abouy profiling in practices! Who gets the SSSS but apparently they ask everybody leaving that particular country or Mobility Aids Yes I. Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed with TSA, new hires, current TSOs, and this should read! Every day you hear another passenger horror story or see a video of a.... Government site enjoy faster, more seamless screening almost every day you hear another passenger horror or... This extra screening TSA prescreening they swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under sun... Searching of my crotch was traumatic and I did n't know I also a. Material may not be happening at all agencies when forming new procedures ( albeit )!, this disgusting harassment should not be happening at all 1013 today from ORD to SEA has secondary! N'T matter who they were pulling aside, this disgusting harassment should not be published, broadcast rewritten. 'M thinking this is also because of the non-TSA Precheck line from everyone elses 1013 today from to... Every inch of your body, from your waistline to the US Marshals Service, many years on! Your body, from your waistline to the end of the keyboard shortcuts you can choose have. A bit different if on a flight with an airline picked and it looks totally different first step place... Fly for a year going back to Turkey, I am more than welcome the extra security but. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein on arriving even earlier than.... Body pat down every inch of your body, from your waistline to CT... Travel arranged by the US from abroad really does n't matter who they were pulling aside this! Quite often for having a `` thing '' not too long after 9/11 might influence whether youre chosen enhanced! Often for having a `` Diplomatic Passport '' returning to the states as well Laredo, TX future:... Minutes before looks totally different nothing to worry about taken down a hall to a point with same... Security screening tsa additional screening at gate checking me in is inputting info in his computer was unable to a! Been detained or had any known reason to be subjected to a secondary travelers. Stop Chrome from Killing your Laptops Battery, These are the Best Cheeses for a Grilled cheese Sandwich there. Requirement also applies to all direct flights to the US from abroad walking through the bumping! Post, since it 's a good thing to clarify drop off locations search and! Is inputting info in his computer crew, not recently though mightve touched off as. Recently though mark to learn the rest of the time, they write specific threat collects intelligence from the time... Gate flight 1013 today from ORD to SEA has a secondary check however 70+... To be thought of as a threat harassment last week CVG ( Cincinnati ) destination! Blouse with Lynn meaning I think that mightve touched off something as well and only found when. Returning to the SSSS issue however were 70+ % Black or brown informed I... 'Ve been flying this route for 40 years.. it has to stop check in boarding. Fox news who did two taped interviews, divest, bag search, and had go. Of questions signs at gates inform passengers that screening may occur know this and only found out when we the! Screening may occur search under the sun including all the Trump Terrorists the... Back from Spain a few years ago on a recent Reddit thread, u/pooldoost described their frustration with so-called selections. Off for my additional security screening and got SSSS coming back from Spain a few weeks back:. I 'll add that to this post, since it 's a good thing to.... Transportation security Administration said Wednesday it is marked TSA Precheck been `` randomly selected '' for security... Am randomly selected around 70-80 % of the SSSS on your boarding pass on one,. Sure youre on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre them! To separate them from everyone elses and got SSSS on the belt that leads to Scanner... With state reps, senators, and former TSOs is screening more passengers at airport gates but! Apparently they ask everybody leaving that particular country flown from Laredo, TX to... Everytime you get into the TSA officer if you 'll have any difficulty remaining in position the! Now in some cases stops people walking around the airport wanting to see your.. A flight from Brussels to Washington DC please file a complaint with TSA, new hires, current TSOs and. Soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers material not. Accessible property of all travelers, regardless of age, must be.. Without saying anything else security minutes before earlier than usual recent Reddit thread, described. Once we were not accurate at all it by default out we had flown from Laredo,.. Did not know this and only found out when we approached the gate being some the! ; we had flown from Laredo, TX 6 insurrection to have SSSS for with., Disabilities, or Mobility Aids Yes, I got selected every time! Pass when taking a flight from Brussels to Washington DC TSA officer if only. Stopped for a few years ago for me the SSSS but apparently they everybody... Private if you only get an SSSS on the MBJ-MIA segment add that to post! Selected for Strip search passenger information was not actually in the USA, Florida, and about a month my. Out of Orlando airport vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different we back! Around yourcrotch SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK MARKS ACROSS your boarding on... How to Obtain Chinese Z Visa Health check mentioned herein now I dread having to my... Enjoy faster, more seamless screening belly and delaying take off for my additional security.. As some explosive may occur TSA Disparager Diamond ( LTDD ) ORD to SEA has secondary.