i got the SSSS treatment last month- I'm platinum and the ticket r/t and bought with a credit card- I could swear the TA out front did it to me. she was obviously having a bad day,she did not give boarding passes for the connecting flights out of DFW- then when I informed her of this- politely- she huffed and gave me the second set of B.P.s - they were sitting on her desk-and lo and behold- the SSSS.
I was not able to check in either online or at the airport machines, so this was probably pre- ordained.the only thing I can figure is that I had purchased this ticket with funds from a previously cancelled reservation as well as with the credit card for the xs. my s.o. travelling with me - a different PNR-got away scot- free.