The dreaded SSSS, something no traveler ever wants to see on their boarding pass. Don’t know what it is? Consider yourself lucky. But for the curious it would appear in the corner of your boarding pass and it means “Secondary Security Screening Selectee” or “Secondary Security Screening Selection.” It means either you are “randomly” selected or are on the permanent Automatic Selectee list and will be subjected to extra security. This can include thorough bag searches, full body scans, pat downs, and chemical analysis tests, which can then lead to additional “back room” screening if the TSA agent feels it is necessary.

I’ve been “randomly” selected at least one leg of every trip I’ve had for years. And so I have to make sure to get to the airport extra early to account for this. It also means I cannot check in online and print or use mobile boarding passes ahead of time. If I attempt to I will get some generic message stating that there is a problem and I will need to finish checking in at the airport in person.

How do you get on this “random list”? While no government agency will confirm, I’ve heard rumors of other SSSS sufferers that their name is similar to one on the No-Fly list and that is why they get the extra security. Other rumored reasons would be paying in cash or debit card for a ticket. Or even buying a last minute ticket. I’ve also heard that buying a one way ticket and traveling alone can also be the red flag that triggers it. I’m not sure what I did to trigger it, as the first time it happened to me was when I was in middle school.

What can you do to avoid it? Nothing. Not even paying to be a member of those frequent traveler security programs like TSA Pre-Check will save you. There is an option to request a redress number from Homeland Security that you can use when booking your flight. However, there are so many hoops to jump through that I’m not sure it’s worth it.

So what happens when you get selected? If you’re like me, you just get used to it. When I get to the initial TSA officer that checks the boarding passes, they will circle and point out the SSSS for the next agent. I’ve learned to wear tight clothing so there isn’t any possible area where I could be hiding anything. Before I even step into the security line I will have my electronics prepare (it helps to have a TSA approved laptop bag.) I will also have medications separated, the liquid baggy out and waiting. I make sure to have my shoes loosened, belt off, jewelry off, as well as jackets and sweaters off. I also make sure to tuck in zipper pulls so they don’t “swing” as they can trigger an alert on the full body scanner. I’ve learned it’s a great idea to use packing cubes since TSA will be going through my bag and it’s easier for repacking that way. (Also a good idea not to overpack your bag. Nothing is worse than having to try to repack your bag in the crowded security area.) Once through the body scan, I know I’ll be getting a pat down (hence the tight clothes) and this can get drawn out if there is not a female TSA agent available to do the pat down. I will then have my hands swabbed and have to wait for the chemical analysis to come back negative. Since I’m use to the process it usually only adds up to 10 minutes of extra time through security.

However, even though it is short, it mentally takes some time. I went on a business trip with our CEO a few years back. He is known to arrive to the airport late and cutting it so close to make it on the plane. I asked him why and he said “Why would he want to waste time waiting in the airport? Better to just “walk right onto the plane.” When we traveled together the first time I was freaking out, as we had less than 30 minutes to get our boarding passes, get through security, and board the plane. I was visibly stressed out and he couldn’t figure out why. Once he saw me go through security he realized the issue, and on the way back we did get to the airport early.

It just highlighted for me the difference between a “SSSS” sufferer and a regular traveler. It’s a minor annoyance that likely doesn’t increase security since the people getting “randomly selected” already know what the SSSS means. I don’t mind the extra security, the part that pisses me off is not able to check in online to get my boarding pass. It sucks when you are in a group and you are the only one that cannot get your pass and then forces the rest of the group to go in early.

 

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