<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by elCheapoDeluxe:
I have gotten the SSSS before when I was rebooked due to a canceled flight. Friend on same itinerary did not get it. Friend on seperate PNR did get it.
After the second flight canceled, was rebooked on a third flight. This time I didn't get it, nor my friend on the same PNR - but the frind on a seperate PNR was selected for double punishment. Each time they initialed or otherwise marked the SSSS - which was eventually checked for on the one SSSS boarding pass which was actually handed in.
Similar experiences have occured on subsequent trips.
I couldn't determine any pattern. FF versus inFF. Credit card vs. award ticket. Gender (surprisingly, the Female members of the party got the SSSS more than the male). Checkin time. Checkin method. None really seem to make a difference as far as I can tell.</font>
You have a higher probability of receiving such a scarlet letter group if you book a one-way ticket at the last minute without getting your FF# into the reservation prior to ticketing. Nothing is guaranteed, but getting that number in there before ticketing occurs will make the probability of having SSSS stupidity appear on your BP very low.
Multiple reroutes require the same diligence - you must get your FF# for the new airline in there before ticketing occurs. It's that simple. If you try to add it after they print your ticket, it will not make SSSS go away, so do it before the flight segment(s) is ticketed.
As far as I can tell, sex has nothing to do with whether one is selected for SSSS harassment.
As for SSSS being pre-printed, that's not the case. Many airports simply assume that if you're past the checkpoint with SSSS printed on your BP, you do not need to be harassed at the gate. Other airports are not set up to harass people at the checkpoint (thank God) and therefore ignore SSSS. Better to play it safe and obtain a BP that is SSSS free.
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