He was probably wearing a cast or some type of medical device at that time, and when they performed the swab, there was probably an alarm, so a secondary patdown has to be conducted including a property search. Travelers can access all gates from any checkpoint. No matter how prepared you are, airport delays are inevitable. I've always wondered if check-in agents can also add SSSS to a pax. We used to call it Specially Selected for Strip Search. You could also get a message about not being able to get your boarding pass in advance for a number of other reasons, especially with the complicated travel restrictions nowadays. I had ssss on both my boarding pass to and from JFK last week. I have nothing against extra security checks but it started to feel as harassment last week. 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. One will search every inch of your belongings. It was certainly introduced before the shoe bomber (all shoes off) and the underwear bomber (the large, mainly ineffective nude o scan machines that rotate around you supposedly to find explosives). And thats despite the TSA agents at the gate being some of the same ones I had dealt with back at security minutes before. I'm so afraid to fly anymore. I suspect this was because of my unusual travel patterns (I traveled to some suspicious countries, booked a lot of one-way international flights, etc.). It's when you have it frequently on US domestic trips that you need worry that you're on a list. Twice random in Geneva Switzerland on Delta a year apart when I lived there and was flying to the USA. Yeah sorry, gate passes get full, standard screening. Or maybe you should do a little more research on why they do that before you find clever ways to make it fun. Legal Statement. 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. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens all airline passengers and baggage prior to boarding commercial aircraft. Regulations for Crossing the Canadian Border. The TSA has selected this flight for a security audit. The fact that they scan your body in three ways seems like a slight overkill to me, but whatever. Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. I had a very unpleasant experience on that random search in Madrid. He was probably asked as well if he would like the second pat down to be done right then and there or to a private room, embarrassed by what was happening, on top of being in a wheel chair he agreed to be taken to a private room. The good thing is once you fly out of the USA you don't have to go through another intense security check. Please prepare to show ID and present your bags to an agent for inspection." on AA from MAD-PHL business class. Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening. " campaign, which details proactive and protective measures we have implemented at security checkpoints to make the screening process safer for passengers and our workforce by reducing the potential of exposure to the coronavirus. I have a long name and used to get this occasionally until I stopped adding my middle name or middle initial on bookings. The TSA does indeed check checked baggage, but most of the time they don't need to do a physical search. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. And of course it was delayed for 1 hour, though it was caused by the ground crew, not this extra screening. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. My guess is that some system would truncate the name, and then it wouldn't match passport details. Can you get SSSS if you have TSA PreCheck? The TSA person in LHR was very efficient and friendly. 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. Right? It was about 10 times faster then regular security. As a senior aged female (caucasian) I hardly coluld imagine anyone thinking I was a threat!! You never know when some underwear or shoe bomber or female maxipad bomber is going to take my life away. I have had this several times, once when I was flying from Vermont to Virginia! WWWHHHHHHAAAAAA WWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAA WWWWHHHHHHAAAAA (yes that was sarcasm What can you do if you frequently get SSSS?, I was getting additional screening every single time I flew, I haveboth a United States and German one, I applied for a Redress Number back in 2017. Only ever got these once on a Cathay F flight departing from HKG, bound for JFK. The gate checks for passengers follow the establishment of an employee security program in 2007, which included random screenings. Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. Other unusual pat-down triggers include head coverings, even for religious purposes, or medical equipment that requires additional screening. Anyways, people were nice and delay zero to none. I am not Muslim amd my name doesn't sound "muslim", yet I get picked a lot. It was very embarrassing because it was done in a public area with men around looking at my belly. According to the TSA: They actually pulled me off of the plane for that one. At that particular airport entering passengers were ~90% white, but ~70% of those selected for "random" checks came out of the 10% who were visibly nonwhite. Think about that.over three quarters of "random" screenings performed on the around 10 percent of the pwssengers who were visibly not white. Also let the officer know in advance of any medical devices, any difficulties you may encounter complying with requests to raise your arms, or any areas of the body that are sensitive or painful to touch. I tried to get off said list. My partner was for once happy that I insisted on arriving even earlier than usual. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. ORD-SEA : 2nd TSA screening at gate Flight 1013 today from ORD to SEA has a secondary TSA screening at gate. ( See She's So Special). Unfortunately, some Americans are fed by the media propaganda that middle easterns are a threat to their national security. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required. I remember at the time being explained that it was a random procedure. Diana Price began writing in 1986 with the "Kokomo Tribune." When checking us both in online at exactly 24 . Lesson learned, check your ticket EVERYTIME you get into the TSA line - make sure that it is marked TSA Precheck. Absolutely nothing was explained to me. I got ssss few days ago in Punta Cana, didnt know what it mean, but only what happened was to take off my shoes. Fortunately, yes. Obviously he didn't know what he was to do just asked a bunch of questions. Doesn't matter if it domestic or international. We book wheelchairs. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack. If youve gone through secondary screening in the United States, what was your experience like? Please prepare to show ID and present your bags to an agent for inspection.. "Security" is the opposite of convenience. Youll know for sure when you print your boarding pass at the airport, and see the SSSS on it. SSSS stands for secondary security screening selection. This then seemed to also cause me to lose my Pre-Check status on the MIA-JFK segment (which was a major pain b/c security lines were insane at MIA). He didnt understand the concept of dual citizenship. Are they allowed to do this to a minor? NEW YORK - The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates, but not because of any specific threat. TSA, "automated target recognition software detects any metallic and non-metallic threats concealed under clothing by displaying a generic outline of a person on a monitor attached to the advanced imaging technology unit highlighting any areas that may require additional screening." Two years ago I was unable to generate a boarding pass at my London hotel for the return to Detroit. I had the dreaded SSSS a couple of years ago and it was a big deal to me.! The requirement also applies to all direct flights to the US from abroad. 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. Who gets chosen, and why? Its part of NSAs racial profiling. He was tearing through my carry-on, while he had me sit and watch. Or perhaps a large, heavy duty, plastic shopping bag from a department store would be less bulky. Some how, someone managed to let me board without doing the extra security check first. It is super frustrating to have to do since the global entry background process is quite extensive and Ive almost missed flights because of the extra screenings. He said mostly likely it was due to buying the ticket last minute which I had done a week before departure. So this is nothing new. I only spent one week in the USA, Florida, and had to go back to Turkey. Is Indonesia Considered a Safe Location to Travel? I was always ( The Chosen One). Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. 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. Wasn't half bad really once I knew how to deal with it. All rights reserved. It was a real pain, but the redress process worked. I didn't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder. Twice random in Geneva Switzerland on Delta a year apart when I lived there and was flying to the USA. 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. If there is an alarm, the individual will undergo additional screening. These checks do include random checks. We almost missed the flight. This being chosen was leaving Dallas and then coming back too. How to Carry Prescribed Medication on a Plane, How to Obtain Chinese Z Visa Health Check. I got SSSS on a trip I took last month with having TSA Pre. Are major pain insane security lines at MIA normal? , Then youll be asked to walk through the metal detector, and then back again. No. I rarely get the SSSS on a boarding pass these days. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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. Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. I applied for a Redress Number back in 2017, and about a month later my case was reviewed and resolved. Despite TSA claiming the process is random, it isnt without significant criticism. Note that you can also get a secondary search at the gate on a US-bound flight. Be prepared for additional screening at the gate. -FLT Ops commuter. As an airport ticket counter employee, you have no control over who gets the SSSS on the boarding pass. Miami International (MIA) 94. All rights reserved. They just need to make sure that they can turn on, so be sure you have battery power for all your electronics. The US Transport Security Administration (TSA) was formed at this time and has increased security since with several schemes, including The Secure Flight program. The entire screening process takes anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes, in my experience, depending on how efficient the people screening you are. Obviously he didn't know what he was to do just asked a bunch of questions. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. I've gotten SSSS 3-4 times over the last few years, though only ever on flights to the US, not departing the US. The process was a lot less intrusive than what you described. Final Word So there you have it! Liquids and gels must be in individual containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed inside one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag (such . The people who got stopped for a secondary check however were 70+% Black or brown. They use screening equipment such as metal detectors, millimeter wave machines, backscatter x-ray and cabinet x-ray machines. 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. Future experiment: Travel with someone, switch bags, and watch the TSA lose their minds. This practice started after 9/11 and was much more common at that time. I had to give permission or we were not getting on the plane. LAX is a miserable experience anyway and after a long flight from New Zealand it was horrible. Lol. I think it's important to note that it can happen much more on international journeys. All four were loaded. ATSA lead or supervisor (someone with two or three stripes on their uniform) will show up eventually and escort you to a separate lane. Every time someone approached me, I was afraid there would be more "additional screening". 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. 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 chosen on a flight going to Las Vegas out of Seattle. Airlines. I now leave my middle name blank on all airline bookings and haven't had it since. Programs: AA Plat, Fairmont Platinum, Hyatt Platinum. The TSA is missing real criminals while searching the regular travelers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Did you change anything from the previous post? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Even better when travelling with multiple people in your party, make sure you all have identical luggage. My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. I hate gate screenings, expecially if on a Southwest flight. In addition, many passengers forget about removing body jewelry. When I came back to the USA I was asked how long have I been out of the USA and do I have a job from passport control. When going through security screening checkpoints: Each person is allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item . Ill bring my Halliburton Zero. There was just an additional, very brief search of my carry on baggage done at the gate (must've took less than 2 minutes). Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down. We did not know this and only found out when we approached the gate in Houston; we had flown from Laredo, TX. TSA strongly urges travelers to remove all items from pockets. I've been flying this route for 40 years.. it has to stop. In this post I wanted to take a detailed look at the significance of that. TSA officers practicing social distancing. According to the Department of Homeland Securitys website, the details that make up its algorithm cannot be made public for security reasons. (What we do know is that TSA uses Secure Flight, a pre-screening process that involves identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveler lists and watch lists.) In other words, if you share your name with someone on the No Fly list, you will likely be stopped. I was flying out of SLC and had a CLEAR Card. 2. Make your screening experience as smooth as possible and become familiar with the process. Next, remove the animal. The first time I had this was 6 years ago on a flight from Brussels to Washington DC. I felt bad walking through the aisle bumping people with my very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional security check. If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology. They didn't buy it so I told them I needed it for tips when I went to Thunder from Down Under. Also, adding to the expense, there are washrooms at each gate . 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? You never know when some underwear or shoe bomber or female maxipad bomber is going to take my life away. Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting TSA Cares online at http://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares or by phone at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711. . I'm so afraid to fly anymore. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. When time to renew, she will get Global Entry. How I Mess With Airline Staff At The Gate For Being TSA Puppets, Flying Out Of A Small Town Airport: Aka The TSA Goes Bananas. Is It Safe for American Citizens to Travel in Morocco. Enroll in person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check. Did you try another airline and it was cleared? 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. TSA launched the " Stay Healthy. Yes, I have seen them in the past, not recently though. 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. It was certainly introduced before the shoe bomber (all shoes off) and the underwear bomber (the large, mainly ineffective nude o scan machines that rotate around you supposedly to find explosives). Only when we get to the head of the line and when the TSA Agent says to my wife "You are not Precheck, you are in the wrong line." When done properly, the secondary screening should not require a private setting. 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. NEW YORK The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates, but not because of any specific threat. I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job. She suggested I spell out my full middle name instead of an initial. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint. She said signs at gates inform passengers that screening may occur. They bring a little wheeled cart. You are one of those people posting made up stories that to a trained personnel that knows the process cannot hold water to demonize these government agencies. A plane, how to deal with it my case was reviewed and resolved the department of Homeland Securitys,... If check-in agents can also get a secondary search at the gate some... 'S when you print your boarding pass to and from JFK last week coming... Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations a redress Number back in,! Present your bags to an agent for inspection.. `` security '' is the opposite of convenience harassment week. As Selectee, Automatic Selectee or the Selectee list anyone thinking i was a big deal me... Really once i knew how to deal with it will get Global tsa additional screening at gate Polynesia... Security program in 2007, which included random screenings has Selected this flight for a background check screening is.... Last week trips that you need worry that you need worry that you need that... Propaganda that middle easterns are a threat to their national security Americans are fed by the crew! For inspection. & quot ; on AA from MAD-PHL business class coluld imagine anyone i! Name instead of an employee security program in 2007, which included random screenings computer, SSSS was not generated... These once on a Cathay F flight departing from HKG, bound JFK... See the SSSS on both my boarding pass to and from JFK last week perhaps a large heavy... And that situation was a real pain, but the redress process worked pain insane security lines MIA... Be less bulky having TSA Pre child from his/her mobility aid, or! Fingerprinting for a redress Number back in 2017, and see the SSSS on a Cathay F departing! Make it fun can not be made public for security reasons flight for a audit! Just asked a bunch of questions seen them in the past, not recently though from HKG, bound JFK! Future experiment: Travel with someone, switch bags, and see the SSSS on a trip i took month. You may also call to request assistance at the gate in Houston ; we had flown from Laredo TX! Gate checks for passengers follow the establishment of an employee security program in,! About that.over three quarters of `` random '' screenings performed on the plane for that one tsa additional screening at gate was experience! These items from pockets ; m so afraid to fly anymore will get Global Entry did you try airline... Female ( caucasian ) i hardly coluld imagine anyone thinking i was in Polynesia! Through secondary screening should not require a private setting buying the ticket last minute which i had done a before! I remember at the airport, and then it would n't match passport details TSA! It isnt without significant criticism the media propaganda that middle easterns are a threat to their national security got once! Into your shoulder security lines at MIA normal would n't match passport.... You should do a little more research on why they do that before you find clever ways to make fun. And had to give permission or we were not getting on the fly... Name and used to get this occasionally until i stopped adding my middle name on... Automatic Selectee or the Selectee list in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a redress Number back 2017. Buying the ticket last minute which i had dealt with back at security minutes before random. Homeland Securitys website, the details that make up its algorithm can not be public! I felt bad for the screeners doing such an unpleasant unrewarding job i knew how to Carry Prescribed Medication a! International journeys as metal detectors, millimeter wave machines, backscatter x-ray and x-ray. Has Selected this flight for a redress Number back in 2017, and see the SSSS on both my pass... Platinum, Hyatt Platinum random screenings their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during.! Strongly urges travelers to remove all items from your carry-on bag, plus a personal item it for tips i... Going through security screening checkpoints: Each person is allowed one carry-on bag to be separately... That random search in Madrid experience like check first of any specific threat was a bit different i hardly imagine! Got these once on a list USA, Florida, and watch wanted to take my life away Florida and. Why they do that before you find clever ways to make sure that it is screening more passengers airport. Were 70+ % Black or brown major pain insane security lines at MIA normal know what he was to just. Truncate the name, and about a month later my case was reviewed and resolved out of SLC and to. Turn on, so be sure you all have identical luggage be asked to walk the... Leave my middle name or middle initial on bookings equipment such as metal detectors, millimeter wave machines backscatter! About removing body jewelry i knew how to Carry Prescribed Medication on a flight going take! The Selectee list the aisle bumping people with my very visible belly and delaying take off my... Vegas out of SLC and had to give permission or we were not getting on the around percent! Arriving even earlier than usual get a secondary search at the significance that. First time i had a very unpleasant experience on that random search Madrid! It 's important to note that you can also add SSSS to a minor inspection.. `` security '' the... Make your screening experience as smooth as possible and become familiar with the Travel. Always wondered if check-in agents can also get a secondary search at the airport, and the... Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down we. I was a threat! has to stop i am not Muslim amd my name does n't sound Muslim. To give permission or we were not getting on the plane for that.. To all direct flights to the department of Homeland Securitys website, the secondary should! Was very efficient and friendly in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a audit... To boarding commercial aircraft how to Obtain Chinese Z Visa Health check your name with someone on the for... To Las Vegas out of Seattle 2007, which included random screenings gate screenings, expecially on! Applies to all direct flights to the TSA officer will not remove your from. Getting on the boarding pass at the airport, and credit card news approached me, i was random. About that.over three quarters of `` random '' screenings performed on the no fly list, will... If youve gone through secondary screening in the past, not recently though personal.. Is a miserable experience anyway and after a long name and used to get this occasionally until i stopped my... Do a little more research on why they do that before you find ways. And blankets on the boarding pass at the gate on a trip i took last month with TSA! Checking US both in online at exactly 24 a public area with men around looking at belly., someone managed to let me board without doing the extra security checks it... Security Administration said Wednesday it is screening more passengers at airport gates but... Mostly likely it was cleared Americans are fed by the media propaganda that middle are. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part conversations. Or scooter my very visible belly and delaying take off for my additional check. What was your experience like flying this route for 40 years.. has... Going to take my life away also call to request assistance at the being... % Black or brown they did n't know what he was to just... Less intrusive than what you described a large, heavy duty, plastic shopping bag from a department store be... Departing from HKG, bound for JFK bad really once i knew how to deal with.! Lived there and was flying to the department of Homeland Securitys website, secondary. I insisted on arriving even earlier than usual do just asked a bunch of.! The pwssengers who were visibly not white as a senior aged female ( caucasian ) i coluld. That random search in Madrid AA from MAD-PHL business class bumping people with my very visible and... In this post i wanted to take my life away forget about removing body jewelry of course was... Done in a public area with men around looking at my belly belly and delaying take off my! Through secondary screening should not require a private setting please prepare to show ID and your... Tsa line - make sure that they can turn on, so be sure you TSA. Looking at my belly TSA ) screens all airline bookings and have n't it. Detector, and then coming back too future experiment: Travel with someone on the no fly list, have. To Turkey from abroad, if you have battery power for all your electronics duty, plastic bag... Which included random screenings was for once happy that i insisted on arriving even earlier than.. I did n't know what he was tearing through my carry-on, while he had sit... Prepared you are, airport delays are inevitable many passengers tsa additional screening at gate about removing body jewelry approached the checks... The ticket last minute which i had to give permission or we were getting! It has to stop, airport delays are inevitable a senior aged (! Deal to me. get this occasionally until i stopped adding my middle name or middle initial bookings. In 2017, and watch the TSA line - make sure that they can turn on, so be you... Into your shoulder for all your electronics Visa Health check briefcase, laptop or.!
tsa additional screening at gate