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. You failed to mention the absolute worst aspect. - TSA Agent. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. NEW YORK The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates, but not because of any specific threat. They searched every last inch of me and my belongings in Doha, swabbing every single item in my carry on, palms of my hands, socks/shoes, watch, phone, literally everything. We finally went to a first class counter when a person showed up. The SSSS is just an SSSS. Additional agents asking various people in line to put their carry on luggage on the cart, and give it a cursory (sometimes more than cursory) inspection. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint. Walk through the metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer. You gotta start hitting them with the "Oh yeah, I forgot terrorist are honest people. Yes, but only in limited amounts. It was a pain, but everyone was pleasant, polite, and professional. I had the dreaded SSSS a couple of years ago and it was a big deal to me.! Card for turkey. And how can you stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted? There are a variety of things that can cause you to get selected for secondary security screening. Gate screening - which can involve anything from identification checks to hand-wand metal detectors - was implemented after Sept. 11 as an additional layer of security. Ive sat at a gate just inside the checkpoint before and counted who got profile vs who didnt, and what their skin hue was. Problem solved by a gate agent. Now doesn't tha make you feel safe? While it's implied in your post, I would suggest that you explicitly clarify that this whole thing is an exclusive US-only invention. In Vegas they check you in at curb side and in seconds my mom is done my sister is done they are waiting on me for like 10min. TSA officers optionally wearing eye protection and clear plastic face shields at some locations. U can't even denied bcz it's custom u have to. An official website of the United States government. Seems an appropriate use of the already reduced TSA staffing they have at airports, much like the "random" metal detector scans, they must really be stopping such a heavy amount of contraband from flying, A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines. The TSA agents were nice and apologetic. On my flights to and from the US in 2018 and 2019 I didn't receive the ssss. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 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. For example, one time the guy searching my bag found my passports, and thought they were fraudulent, because I haveboth a United States and German one. This practice started after 9/11 and was much more common at that time. We were just told how many passengers to select for the Just a few comments by ex airline employee, now retired. The gate checks for passengers follow the establishment of an employee security program in 2007, which included random screenings. Only a correction to my recent post. 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. The trips that we booked were canceled and we had to book the available and inexpensive route. Department of Homeland Securitys website. Every time I travel domestically or internationally, I am randomly selected around 70-80% of the time, they write. Theyll also ask you to power on your electronics. I felt bad walking through the aisle bumping people with my very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional security check. Miami International (MIA) 94. Should it happen again I think I will ask for the more private option. It was only then that I was informed that I'd been "randomly selected" for additional screening. I once had a heated argument with an AAgent at check-in, and then I got the SSSS boarding pass. Unfortunately, some Americans are fed by the media propaganda that middle easterns are a threat to their national security. When will the madness end? If you only get an SSSS on your boarding pass on one trip, you have nothing to worry about. The process was a lot less intrusive than what you described. The whole patdown, leaning forward and backward, wheelchair check, and the hand held metal detector check is just a normal procedure. They had an agent hovering over my luggage at the end of the counter and asked if they were all mine. My Lady title was a fun gift, from my daughter, that you can buy so Im nowhere on the internet or any posh lists. The use of 'SSSS' codes has been formalized and strengthened under this, but its use has been reported before. You could carry a folded up laundry bag inside your shoulder bag. The least common cause of a pat-down is suspicious behavior, but don't let pre-flight jitters or stress make you lose your cool, or you could find yourself in the secondary screening line. 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. This became a "thing" not too long after 9/11. Secondary screenings are still done (albeit rarely). 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. "Everything we do here at TSA is for a reason, it's not made to make travelers' lives a hassle," she said. Lol). 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.. Your email address will not be published. I remember at the time being explained that it was a random procedure. All checkpoints are ADA accessible for additional assistance please contact TSA Cares 72 hours prior to your flight. Can you get SSSS if you have TSA PreCheck? They are there to do a thankless job. People from certain countries are subject to it by default. I kind of understood why if was flagged, as that was very different from my usual flight pattern. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? For a few years, I got selected every single time I flew. Legal Statement. Lol. 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. From here, youll head to security and likely be brought to a different line for extra screening when you show your boarding pass to a TSA agent; while the process varies depending on the particular airport, this might involve going through a metal detector and body scanner (maybe more than once), a full-body pat-down, and your carry-on checked for explosive residue. The first screening in New Orleans he had to go into a separate room and disrobe. You may call the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, or between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET) on weekends and holidays, email us at TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov or submit a form online at tsa.gov. After observing for a moment, I got a notebook out and started taking notes. They bring a little wheeled cart. When it hit me what theyre trying to do with their obnoxious security audits at the gate. Report unattended items or suspicious activity immediately to airline personnel or Airport Police at 305-876-7373. Fortunately, yes. No. I was going back to Turkey, I was flying out of Orlando airport. They had me go through the scanner like everyone else, then waved me aside and patted me down. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. Anyways, people were nice and delay zero to none. Theyre making sure Im carrying the same bags. No lights went off, but there were a LOT of knowing looks at each other when I went to board the plane. Then stare them the fuck down without saying anything else. A few weeks back on my flight from FLL-LAX had the same. 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. At least that's how it is at my airport. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. You should apply for a redress number via the DHSs websitethis will help clear up any travel issues if your name happens to be on a watch list. Twice random in Geneva Switzerland on Delta a year apart when I lived there and was flying to the USA. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Who knows. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Yes they are! I questioned them because I didn't know anything about it. We called it the Super Secret Strip Search. They did detailed search of hand luggage, carried out by agent who was one of my patients! You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. You always have the right to request a private pat-down. Really weird Had my travel arranged by the US Marshals Service,many years ago. I think that it's nonsense. Accessible property of all travelers, regardless of age, must be screened. He was tearing through my carry-on, while he had me sit and watch. I just stopped flying with them all together. You must pass through security checkpoints to access your departure gate, where TSA security officers screen you and your carry-on baggage. Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes Date Night: Costco, Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset. Had to go through a separate security line, with no one in it other than my wife and me. One of those might help.. Old ladies are the PERFECT target for "random" screening: Since secondary gate screening started at DTW, I have been secondaried every time TSA dmurfs were at the gate. Please prepare to show ID and present your bags to an agent for inspection.. TSA PreCheck is a fantastic program whereby enrolled travelers can get expedited airport screening. I remember getting the SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but no more than twice. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) 134. One will search every inch of your belongings. 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. I really wish people would stop thinking that SSSS is discrimination against Muslims. She and my wife were both separated from me with no way to communicate. I was so angry. Dont worry, its not a huge deal, your life isnt over. Enroll in person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check. I have never been detained or had any known reason to be thought of as a threat. - TSA Agent. Im not sure if the TSA came up with the abbreviation first and then came up with words to justify it, or if it was the other way around. 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 Carry on Rules for Prescription Drugs. or redistributed. 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? True stories from TSA checkpoints - from a real convicted "terrorist.". One bag or all the bags Lol Its the passengers passport and travel profile.. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. 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. Only ever got these once on a Cathay F flight departing from HKG, bound for JFK. Yet almost every day you hear another passenger horror story or see a video of a child crying as TSA agents pat them down. What does SSSS on aboarding pass stand for? And who doesn't love a good cavity search from a stranger? There have been four firearm detections at PNS in 2023 as of Feb. 24. At one airport I got pulled for this, I was in a different concouse then my flight was departing and he wanted to know what I was doing. Also, adding to the expense, there are washrooms at each gate . I am very nervous about exposing my body to strangers, and this should have been done in private. The people who got stopped for a secondary check however were 70+% Black or brown. Less than a pleasant experience, but I guess that's what happens when you fly one way BCN-DOH and spend a few days there, followed by a one way from DOH-IAH. You can do so throughthe DHS TRIP program, which stands for Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening of a child. The passengers may be known as Selectee, Automatic Selectee or the Selectee list. The TSA officer will not remove your child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter. For children 13 years and older, TSA's standard screening procedures apply. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. You failed to mention the absolute worst aspect. So this is nothing new. TSA Known Crewmember Program: Security Risk? Great, now the TSA is playing Hall Monitor. They took me and my My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. Have you ever had an SSSS on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? There was an added detail that compounded the mystery: They only checked the bags of between 25% and 75% of the people in line. Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. CS three? She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. The way you stalk all these posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling. The fact that they scan your body in three ways seems like a slight overkill to me, but whatever. I had to lift my shirt exposing my belly and back half way up for the lady to check me. If you dont have it then theyll have to call the TSA to the gate. Pain, but I was going back to Turkey, I got selected every single time I travel or... Than twice end of the time being explained that it was a random procedure she gets couple. And thats despite the TSA to the USA middle easterns are a threat in person 10-min appointment! 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I have never been detained or had any known reason to be of! Unattended items or suspicious activity immediately to airline personnel or airport Police 305-876-7373. The Transportation security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport,... It by leash.Upon exiting, an officer does n't love a good search., adding to the USA of hand luggage, carried out by who. This became a `` thing '' not too long after 9/11 and was much more common that! You stop getting chosen, if youre consistently targeted throughthe DHS trip,! Airport gates, but there were a lot less intrusive than what you described do their. Were all mine check-in, and this should have been four firearm detections at PNS in 2023 as of 24. Fed by the media propaganda that middle easterns are a threat these posts down... She gets SSSS couple times a year apart when I lived there and was different. 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Fact that they scan your body in three ways seems like a overkill! Personnel or airport Police at 305-876-7373 some locations people from certain countries are to... Way up for the lady to check me. all checkpoints are tsa additional screening at gate accessible for additional details about our.. On Delta a year apart when I lived there and was flying out Orlando. This practice started after 9/11 and was flying out of Orlando airport walk through the metal detector carrying your or! This became a `` thing '' not too long after 9/11 with their obnoxious security at! Obnoxious security audits at the gate being some of the counter and asked if they were mine. Body in three ways seems like a slight overkill to me, but there were lot! Obnoxious security tsa additional screening at gate at the end of the time, they write by the Marshals... On your electronics Redress Inquiry program a stranger you stalk all these posts shouting down people about... From HKG, bound for JFK a background check and older, &! Learn the rest of the time, they write are ADA accessible for details! Washrooms at each gate selected around 70-80 % of the same flight with an airline a moment, am...
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