New twist on extra gate security for CDG US-bound flight: Pre-selected, not random
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
New twist on extra gate security for CDG US-bound flight: Pre-selected, not random
Couldn't find another thread for this scenario, so mods please merge if it exists. Was flying home yesterday from CDG with the Mrs., and just as we got to the gatehouse I heard my name paged. Found a Red Coat (Delta) as I moved forward, and he apologetically asked me to stand by for extra security. Waiting nearby was a rep from ICTS (the contractor that handles security checkpoints at CDG).
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Good question... This was a simple r/t, so we originated at CDG. With only carry-ons, I checked in via app and printed BPs at the kiosk, bypassing the counter entirely. Of course we still had to pass through all the usual security.
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,332
The last time, about six months ago, I departed CDG (without a connection into CDG that day), I had to answer security questions before being able to check my bag. In this case, I had already printed my boarding pass. The entrances to lines for passport control and security were located behind the D1 check in area I used.
#5
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,479
Last edited by TWA884; Feb 21, 2017 at 12:00 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 579
If you did not go through ICTS at all earlier, this may be a reason that your name was on the list at the gate. Although I think that it is strange that they had you board early instead of just asked questions at the gatehouse.
#7
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,609
About 16 months ago my fiance and I were flying RAK-MAD-ORD on the same record locator. He got paged and then pulled aside at the gate in MAD for extra screening while I didn't. It happens.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In order of nights spent: MSP, ORD, OGG, FCO, LHR
Programs: DL 1MM Dia, AA Plat, UA 1MM Gold, HHonors LT Dia, Marriott/SPG LT Plat Prem
Posts: 473
Couldn't find another thread for this scenario, so mods please merge if it exists. Was flying home yesterday from CDG with the Mrs., and just as we got to the gatehouse I heard my name paged. Found a Red Coat (Delta) as I moved forward, and he apologetically asked me to stand by for extra security. Waiting nearby was a rep from ICTS (the contractor that handles security checkpoints at CDG).
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
Everyone gets asked those questions on US bound flights from Europe, and many other places around the world. After passing they place a color sticker on your passport. If you weren't asked these while in line to check in for the flight and cleared then, your name would appear on the list for it to be done at the gate before you are allowed to enter the final waiting area for boarding.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Very interesting. No, there was no sticker placed in my passport. And again, my wife was not selected even though she had bypassed the same questioning at check-in.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Ending up like the OP did is more commonly a product of anything but a completely random hit, no less so when the ICTS software is involved. Once selected in this way by ICTS, the probability of getting selected again in the future is higher than for the average passenger on the same flight with no such ICTS-flagging history.
The ICTS stickers are mainly there to show that a person has been personally questioned and cleared by an ICTS employee.
There are separate lists to note all who has already been questioned, but that was separate from the list that got the OP the gate secondary.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: WN RR, B6 TrueBlue, AA, NK
Posts: 54
Couldn't find another thread for this scenario, so mods please merge if it exists. Was flying home yesterday from CDG with the Mrs., and just as we got to the gatehouse I heard my name paged. Found a Red Coat (Delta) as I moved forward, and he apologetically asked me to stand by for extra security. Waiting nearby was a rep from ICTS (the contractor that handles security checkpoints at CDG).
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
She launched into a serious of stern-faced questions about our visit to France (length, purpose, where we stayed, if anyone else touched our bags, etc.). It was actually way more intense than the border guards, who didn't ask me literally anything upon entry or exit. At this point I couldn't tell why I was being questioned, and was about to ask, but she was done quickly and then directed my wife and I to stand behind the boarding podium.
Gate agents "pre-boarded" us onto the flight, then directed us to the traditional security-theater table in the interstitial room before the jetbridge. The two guards were friendly and, as expected, removed all my carry-on contents and swabbed them. Much to my pleasant surprise, she let me keep my bottle of Evian, and simply made me take a sip. She also made me take my bottle of duty-free champagne out of the box, but I was also allowed to keep that.
As they were finishing up, I had my "ah-ha" moment when I saw a printout with five names including mine. Interestingly, my wife's was not on there and she was not subject to any extra screening, but was allowed to stay near me the whole time.
Ultimately, we got to be among the first board, just after the air marshals and wheelchair pax. So, the extra time to get settled and avoid the boarding scrum was welcome. (If I had to be selected, I prefer this scenario since it was less stressful than the random pull-aside during boarding.) But I'm very curious about the selection process for this list, if it's just a France thing, etc. I didn't have SSSS on my BP, so maybe the element of surprise is part of it? FWIW, I had Pre-Check on my outbound flights, and I have it again today on a different domestic trip. So I'm confident I haven't been "flagged" for any ongoing scrutiny. But definitely curious if it's completely random or triggered by some external data points.
Any other experiences ex-CDG or elsewhere with being on a list for extra screening at the gate?
I've also seen TAP out of LIS with a special list also( I thought I was on this list as I saw the agent check me off the list, but it was for my special meal.) and those on the list during pre-boarding "passport/security check" get their bags poked in and patted down.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Flying NK(Spirit) out of SJO Costa Rica, I wasn't on the list but I saw a table setup in the gatehouse, and they had a list of Pax to check.
I've also seen TAP out of LIS with a special list also( I thought I was on this list as I saw the agent check me off the list, but it was for my special meal.) and those on the list during pre-boarding "passport/security check" get their bags poked in and patted down.
I've also seen TAP out of LIS with a special list also( I thought I was on this list as I saw the agent check me off the list, but it was for my special meal.) and those on the list during pre-boarding "passport/security check" get their bags poked in and patted down.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,433
I had this happen last fall flying CDG-CLT. Had "SSSS" on my boarding pass, and when I got to the gate, I saw a list of about 5 names that had to go through the full search you describe.