But it will work to a degree. I have done this before, well not exactly this way but something very similar. I cleared security with a clean BP for a flight that day from MSY-ORD, but due to some delays we would miss the flight from ORD-MSY on UA. So the friendly agent in MSY went ahead and booked us on the AA flight from ORD-MSP. Then we walked over to the AA counter at MSY and had the agent check us in and print our BP's for the ORD-MSP leg. One of them got the SSSS on it. So when we got to security we both cleared with the clean BP's. No SSSS treatment. When we got to ORD and made the walk from 1 to 3. I took the bags and sent the SO to go see the supervisor and ask what she should do about the SSSS on the BP. All he did was call an agent over who did a quick wand and then stamped the BP. No bags got opened, and the whole process took no more than 30 secs.

So the same thing could happen if you used a clean modified BP to access security even with a SSSS actual BP. Basically, you could go to a lounge or use a locker (where available) and dispose of absolutely everything (except an ID and maybe a wallet) walk back to security and play dumb. Ask the agent what to do. Well they will screen you, but not your luggage. because as soon as they become aware of a miss they have to screen you. So the whole process is less of a pain than it could be. Now you have a TSA approved BP without all of hassles, just some.

[Rumor]
Now, from a local screener at MSP there is a rumor that the SSSS on the BP is going to be changed. What he said is that because SSSS has gotten out in the public domain as the key to secondary screening, it has lost whatever effectiveness that it may have had. What he said is that a new procedure will be implemented to identify who is getting the SSSS. One may be a variable random number generator that will select people while they are in line. A second version might be to use row numbers which could chnage on a random basis on the BP as the selection critera. Now what he said is that for folks that actually warrant the SSSS now. They will be cleared of that by the airline when they recieve the BP at checkin. Supposedly the system will be set up that the agent would have two options. Clear the person or direct the person directly to TSA for clearing. In the second option TSA would be given the BP for the person and then that person would go imediately through the screening process. There would be no way to back away at that point. [/RUMOR]

As I said the above is a RUMOR, and may not be true. However, some of what it is based on does make sense. The implementation of the true "SSSS" hits seems wrong to me, but who knows. Random selection to me seems better than waiving the giant SSSS flag in the face of some terrorist or evil doer. But truth be told neither are really effective, but since the 9-11 commision said it was a good idea, I don't think we are going to see it end.