So likely those passengers are not ones who have normally been subjected to this. I had one on JFK-DCA (DL) a few weeks back. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. If there is an alarm, the individual will undergo additional screening. You could carry a folded up laundry bag inside your shoulder bag. I was traveling alone and had no clue what was happening. I was sent to Secondary and searched none the less. This is not a lie. CS three? How to Carry Prescribed Medication on a Plane, How to Obtain Chinese Z Visa Health Check. (In some instances, depending on the wait at your security line, it may actually prove quicker than waiting in that line.). The TSA officer will not remove your child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening. My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Airport security has existed for 50 years now, and even when the sterile area was open to everyone and their dog, firearms were never allowed past the checkpoint. We did not know this and only found out when we approached the gate in Houston; we had flown from Laredo, TX. They asked for my phone password and got a forensic copy of it. Since then it's never happened to me again. All regular procedure. I was detained for hours after a day long flight, was asked several personal questions that violated my privacy. 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. As a TSA agent told me years ago--"looks like you're going to be our ssssssssspecial friend today!" TSA launched the " Stay Healthy. Which Way is Luxury Hotel Pricing Going in 2023? I was chosen on a flight going to Las Vegas out of Seattle. If your bags overweight, expect to take a few minutes just to unpack, redistribute your things, and re-pack again to appease an airline agent. Omg, this happened to me. Not only will they look at everything, but theyll swab your itemsto check them forany residue. I had no idea what was going on and asked if I was in trouble, and they were like, "No, no, it's because the TSA put this SSSS on your boarding pass." Only me. The TSA agent will tell you the airline has randomly selected you for additional screening (which is a lie), andask you to step to the side. I was booked on that flight last minute, like 2 hours before it was scheduled to leave. None of the answers here should be considered an official response from TSA. Ive always been able to avoid this waste of time by boarding with my phone to my ear as if in a call and not making eye contact with the security theater folks. When going through security screening checkpoints: Each person is allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item . I get SSSS on every American Airlines flight. You are part of the negative media propaganda that you were talking about. Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? So SSSS not much to worry about. Wait Times They made me take out each item one by one and even examined inside my camera's cleaning tissues. More than 1.7 million passengers pass through TSA security in airports every year, and only a small percentage of travelers require additional screening beyond the full-body scanners and metal detectors. I do a lot of medical evacuations world wide. Although the TSA follows a "risk-based approach" when adding security measures, TSA spokeswoman Lara Uselding told the Associated Press that the move to restore random gate checks developed "as the agency evolved," not because of a specific threat. They knew who I was. 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. Unfortunately, some Americans are fed by the media propaganda that middle easterns are a threat to their national security. I was so angry. 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. I do a lot of one way, no baggage flights to medical issue returns. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pretty sure it actually stands for Super Special Scrotum Scrubbing. Legal Statement. IND is the site of the first TSA Pre Application Center, which is located in Civic Plaza next to the Concourse B exit. Your email address will not be published. The good thing is once you fly out of the USA you don't have to go through another intense security check. The agent will radio for a supervisor and say they have a quad (which I guess is the codeword for SSSS, with the quad referring to the four letters). The line for SSSS was becoming longer and longer. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers. 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. Are there any signs that youll be subjected to additional security? Can you get SSSS if you have TSA PreCheck? We finally went to a first class counter when a person showed up. I had a lot of cash with me and of course they opened my bag, then questioned me about the amount of cash. I had SSSS on boarding pass 20 plus years ago in CVG (Cincinnati) as destination was Beirut to give medical lecture. However, if you get this several times in a row, theres a chance youre on some sort of a list, and may want to start the DHS TRIP process. Because passengers at a certain gate are screened does not mean there is a specific threat to a particular plane, Uselding said. "Security" is the opposite of convenience. This practice started after 9/11 and was much more common at that time. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status, By logging into your account, you agree to our. I have been aware of this for over 30 yrs. 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. It all but disappeared in 2003, when the TSA began screening all checked bags. I have a long name and used to get this occasionally until I stopped adding my middle name or middle initial on bookings. Gate passes require full screening no matter what. TSA and CBP don't care whether you are a Muslim or etcand certainly will not take a "forensic copy" of your phone. I was rather taken aback when they told me to lift my shirt in front of that audience. They put me in touch with a TSA ombudsman who did absolutely nothing. TSA Pre Application Program. :-). 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. Is that normal? 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. At a minimum, theyll put two upside down bins around your items to separate them from everyone elses. I am never angry when I get picked and it is all good in the name of safety. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On our last trip they took him to a separate room as if he was smuggling drugs. Is Indonesia Considered a Safe Location to Travel? Don't know why. I am not Muslim amd my name doesn't sound "muslim", yet I get picked a lot. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid and you or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property. Is It Safe for American Citizens to Travel in Morocco. Not at all. There you just fill out basic details sharing what you think the problem is, and then that should be investigated and hopefully resolved. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. They kept pushing my items over the edge of the table which made me take even longer repacking. In this post I wanted to take a detailed look at the significance of that. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. The one and only time I got SSSS was 2 years ago leaving TPE to the US. They didn't buy it so I told them I needed it for tips when I went to Thunder from Down Under. I got SSSS coming back from Spain a few years ago. And who doesn't love a good cavity search from a stranger? The first screening in New Orleans he had to go into a separate room and disrobe. I had to give permission or we were not getting on the plane. The TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and national government agencies when forming new procedures. I traveled very frequently when I was in medical school and I ended up on the SSSS list almost every other time that I flew. Yes, I have seen them in the past, not recently though. Its the only positive aspect of the experience. Have you ever had an SSSS on your boarding pass when taking a flight with an airline? 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. Lol I learned years ago for me the SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK MARKS ACROSS YOUR BOARDING PASS. FBI wanted fugitives. The use of 'SSSS' codes has been formalized and strengthened under this, but its use has been reported before. Theres nothing random about that. It means you are in for a very long and frustrating day! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. - TSA Agent. Stay Secure. Next, remove the animal. Regulations for Crossing the Canadian Border. I was worried because I had it on 4 consecutive trips. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Then more hesitate hesitate then when I say yes I know I am the Chosen one he says You Know. We used to call it Specially Selected for Strip Search. The first screening in New Orleans he had to go into a separate room and disrobe. Happened to my 12 year old daughter (!?!) And thats despite the TSA agents at the gate being some of the same ones I had dealt with back at security minutes before. For a few years, I got selected every single time I flew. NEW YORK The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates, but not because of any specific threat. "In support of TSAs overall security strategy, the frequency of gate screening has increased and may occur unannounced at gate areas anytime.". So what is this enhanced security process? At this point, there will typically be at least two TSA agents involved, if not three. I'm always pleased to get this, as it normally means I get to bypass the long lines, plus I don't have to virtually undress to get through Security. A. Instead youll get an error message saying that youll only be able to print your boarding pass at the airport. 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. Agents go down the line and makes everyone show their ID and boarding pass. A Checkpoint: Standard | 3:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. This is the place for passengers to asks their questions and get answers for an upcoming flight. TSA Carry on Rules for Prescription Drugs. However, they didn't know I also had a 1-year residency ID. Had (I think) US Marshalls checking a recent flight from the East Coast. I was flying out of SLC and had a CLEAR Card. The most recent time I was chosen, my son was two and a half, so he had to watch because he didn't want to leave my side. 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