Navigating the airport can be a frustrating experience. Ideally, passengers would breeze through security to enjoy duty-free shopping or a relaxed coffee, but there are many potential bottlenecks. One sign that your journey might not go smoothly appears on your boarding pass. Check-in staff sometimes add codes to alert airport staff about specific issues, and there is one code travellers particularly dread: SSSS.
What Does SSSS Mean?
Passengers flying to or from the United States may notice SSSS on their boarding pass, which stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection or Secondary Security Screening Selectee. This code indicates you have been chosen for extra screenings, which can happen for various reasons.
How Airlines Indicate Extra Screening
Some airlines do not print SSSS but have their own methods. For example, Southwest Airlines reportedly uses a chequerboard pattern on boarding passes. Citizens of certain countries, especially those with sanctions or political tensions with the USA, are more likely to see SSSS. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) keeps the exact criteria secret.
Reasons for Being Flagged
The ACLU has claimed that the TSA maintains a "Selectee List" of people automatically selected for enhanced screening every time they fly. Other factors include one-way bookings, cash purchases, travel through high-risk countries, frequent visits to unusual destinations, or suspicious flight patterns. Having a name similar to someone on a Department of Homeland Security watch list can also lead to additional checks or even denial of boarding.
What to Do If You See SSSS
If you discover SSSS on your boarding pass, there is no need to panic. It usually means you will need extra time to clear security. Expect a pat-down, hand inspection of carry-on bags, and possibly a handheld metal detector scan. Arrive at the airport according to your airline's recommendations—TSA suggests at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international departures in the US.
Frequent fliers can apply for the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). If approved, they receive a Redress Control Number to use when booking flights, which should ease their journey.
