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Not the SSSS Boarding Pass!! Here’s what it means and how you can avoid it in the future

a white boarding pass with red text and numbers

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Not the SSSS boarding pass!

In the past few years, I’ve had the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass multiples times I’ve flown one way out of Europe to the United States. What is it? Well, for one it’s a massive pain in the butt. It inevitably means you’ve been selected for a further round of security after you’ve already gotten through normal security. But why? Let’s take a look at what SSSS is and how you could “possibly” avoid it.

a white boarding pass with red text and numbers

What does the SSSS on your boarding pass mean?

Simply…it’s stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection ( or Selectee) and is a second point of security for travel in the United States.

In practice, it means, that after you’ve cleared the main security area of the airport and are gateside, you’ll be subject to another round of security at the gate.

Why does my boarding pass have SSSS on it?

It’s not entirely clear as to why certain passengers get SSSS on their boarding pass, but speculatively the following reasons

  • Visiting “high risk” countries or those on a terror watch list
  • Purchasing cash fares
  • Last minute ticketing
  • One way international trips
  • Random

I’ve had SSSS on my boarding many times in the past, in fact, my most recent flight from the UK to the States had SSSS on the boarding pass. It took all of 3 to 5 minutes and wasn’t any big deal.

No SSSS on this boarding pass…

a boarding pass ticket with text and numbers

How intense is SSSS?

It ranges from having your bag swabbed and scanned for explosives to having very single item removed from your carry on luggage and examined. You’ll never know what to expect.

I’ve experienced SSSS searches many times in the past and they’ve ranged from a few minutes to 15 or 20. I’ve heard of people being held for 30 minutes+, so if you see if on your boarding get to the gate early.

The key to the process is to be super helpful and friendly.

Tips if you get SSSS on your boarding pass

  • Arrive at the gate early
  • Request to board in an earlier group since you’ll be subjected to SSSS
  • If you’re traveling with someone, give them the hand luggage that has the most stuff in it.

a man wearing a face mask

How often have I gotten SSSS?

I’ve rarely had an SSSS on my boarding pass when flying domestically within the US. In the past few years I’ve been getting SSSS  on long haul flights, usually one way and booked last minute, from either Europe or the Middle East to the US.

Does having Global Entry or TSA Pre help at all?

Absolutely not.

How can you avoid SSSS? Redress?

If you find yourself repeatedly getting selected for SSSS you can apply for a redress number. This, in theory, should clear your name in the system or any information in the system that may be flagging you for extra scrutiny.

I’m flagged so infrequently that it’s never really been worth the time to get a redress number. If it started to consistently happen in the US, I’d suspect there was misinformation in my profile and apply for a redress number.

Otherwise…I’m not too bothered by it.

Recap

If you seen the dreaded SSSS on your boarding pass just remember that you’re going to have another round of security prior to boarding that plane, most likely at the gate.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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7 Comments

  • […] get your docs checked again prior to the holding area for all passengers. I unfortunately had the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass. If you’re unfamiliar with what this entails, have a gander at our article on it and how you […]

  • Philip January 4, 2022

    Ahum guess you have not yet experienced the “standard”Israeli security check-in when flying El-Al airlines into/out of Israel yet? Have flown there multiple times, and was even pulled aside for additional full body search and baggage inspection when I flew for a one week only Spring Break holiday from America to Israel—now that was not fun. Intense but professional. 🧐

  • derek January 4, 2022

    Another way. Print your boarding pass of an international flight at the airport kiosk then later reprint your boarding pass. The reprint may have SSSS.

  • Janet January 4, 2022

    I like your posts but disappointing you are giving ideas to people to circumvent the screening process. It is for all of our safety. Telling people to give their hand luggage to others they are traveling with is just wrong. Lets all follow the honor system and take the screening as selected.

  • Paul January 4, 2022

    My son is a pilot for a major airline and my wife and I often take advantage of the
    Non Rev/Standby/Space Available benefit to travel.
    Years ago we often got the dreaded SSSS designation. I surmised it was because we flew for free and the airline figured really couldn’t complain and showed our fellow passengers how diligent security was. The other passengers never knew we were non Rev because we didn’t ever advertise that. That has eased up the last few years and hasn’t happened at all once we obtained our TSA Pre Check/Known Trusted Traveller’s status.

  • patrick January 4, 2022

    Well you are a suspicious looking guy and that Monkey…? If there was a stereotypical looking terrorist that would be Miles! 😉

  • billysilly January 4, 2022

    Just got the SSSS on my 1/2/22 flight from CDG to JFK. It took about 6 minutes. But you should really get to the gate early!

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