'SSSS' is not a guaranteed thing for just ppl who purchase one-way, last minute or cash tickets. Certain people are 'SSSS''d for what is apparently no reason at all other than to satisfy the TSA's requirement that SSSSS have some randomization to it.

If you continually can't check-in online, it's probably because you're on a TSA security list and NW will have to call to have you removed everytime you fly. I'm currently on that list and it's a pain in the ... because the counter agents for NW are usually very unfriendly and yell at me to check in at a kiosk after I've already tried and tell them I can't. Then they huff and type a few things into the keyboard and then huff even louder when they realize they have to call NW corporate who will contact TSA to remove me from the list.

Just adds to the stress of flying...but it's not related solely to NW.

-RM