Additional Screening $$$$
 

(Apologise if this has been answered before, a quick search and nothing came up)


Flying YYC to IAH on Air Canada, I am an E and have nexus, however I wasn't allowed to check in on-line or use the nexus line in security due to "$$$$$" on my boarding ticket. Apparently it means I have been flagged for additional screening.

Is this random? Does it stick with you? Anyone I can contact to try to prevent this in the future? I fly to IAH once a month for work, and this is the first time I have been flagged so I am hoping it is simply a random check.

Thanks!

I have had it a couple of times...it is "SSSS" not "$$$$" by the way. :)

I find I got it twice when i booked one way flights...i think its hit and miss though.

It's random. Nothing you can do about it except be helpful to the security staff who have to screen you (e.g. move over to the line with the body scanner rather than going through your normal line so someone doesn't have to escort you there after you've gone through the metal detector).

I thought I read that some people intentionally do NOT enter NEXUS # so they can check-in online

I'm NEXUS and that confuses me, as you'd think NEXUS # improves your travel experience

Thanks!

Taking a closer look your right SSSSSS the ink is smeared on my ticket.

I have had the dreaded SSSSS a couple of times. It is random though more prevalent on one way tickets. Never had it since I had Nexus though I have been pulled just once for a random secondary screening - US customs, not security.
As stated, nothing to do but grin and bear it.

Last time I got SSSS was on an AA flight EZE-MIA. I was prepared for the worst, since I was flying to the US. But the guy who searched me was deeply apologetic and seemed genuinely embarrassed that he had to put me through the drill. To me the whole things was quick and very painless. At the end he wished me a good flight and expressed his hope that I'll come back again to his beautiful country (which I will!).

Contrast that with the SSSS I've received here at YYZ which were impersonal though routine and reasonably professional.

That's a whole other matter, unrelated to SSSS.

With Air Canada, it seems like you do not want to enter your NEXUS card number PRIOR to OLCI. During OLCI, you're free to enter it, and you should have no problems.

I've had SSSS in a period of higher than my usual frequency, so other than random, it may be triggered by changes in travel behaviour. I've only had it ex-YYZ, my home base, never returning home. But other than being unable to OLCI and print BP, it was really no biggie. I do the patdown rather than the body scanner for various reasons of my own, but I have found them professional about it all, if not always as interested as I am in getting the show on the road.

Back in the day (before 2010), SSSS was a big deal on TB flights. I remember we used to have to get a HHMD scan, full pat down, explosive trace of all bags and a full bag search. That used to suck (could take 20 minutes if you had full luggage or some bonehead was searching your bags), although getting SSSS was much less common back then.

Like someone mentioned its hit and miss,have had it before and none since.
Its akin to arriving at the CUN A/P and having to punch the Red Button going through Customs....I know my turn will come someday.

But who adds the SSSS to the boarding pass? The airline? And under what criteria?

That's kept secret, since giving that information out would give the evil scary terrists information on how to defeat it! :rolleyes:

Anyhow, it isn't published, nor will it be published. There are some things that seem to increase the probability of this (one-way tickets, purchased with cash, et al). But other than that, no one really knows, and those who do won't talk about it.

I have some experience in this industry and while I am the first to admit that I don't know everything about SSSS, I hope I can shed some light on the matter. My information is current as of 2011.

• Most of you know this already: In Canada, SSSS is essentially a TB phenomenon, but it has been known to rear its ugly head on connecting domestic/international legs and even some tickets not crossing the border.
• It is absolutely true that o/w bookings, not checking bags on int'l itineraries, cash bookings and last-minute bookings greatly increase the risk of SSSS.
• Before 2010, SSSS was far more targeted around destination and nationality of the traveller. Statistically, a much greater number of African, South Asian and Arab travellers were selected before 2010. Since 2010, something changed (I'm not sure of the details) and the SSSS process became much more "democratic".
• SSSS is mostly automated these days; as a result anyone can get it from infants to white Canadian or American grannies.
• Airlines have been known to "create" SSSSes... this is pretty unlikely though, particularly for FFs.
• SSSS is a much lower priority for the TSA or CATSA than it used to be.

I do not know the sampling methods, formulae or specific criteria beyond what I listed, if any of those things in fact exist. I do know a bit more about the statistics and practical implications of SSSS but I think it is unwise for me to say much more.

sssss also occurs on flights ex Australia (at least) bound for the US. You see it immediately you get your boarding pass, so may as get your gear in order and just go with the flow through the extra security.

I believe agreeing to make this happen is one of the many things airlines flying into the US agree to in order to have landing rights.

Thanks, interesting. So airlines could "create" SSSS, but if not then who creates the SSSS?

The TSA Secure Flight info you have to submit when you book a flight into US airspace cross-checks your passport info with the SSSS list along with other info the airline provides. The whole process neatly integrates with the airline's reservation system.

I haven't got a SSSS since UA went SHARES but some of the old CO SSSSes were so small that they were easily missed by security staff. They were asked by a few groups whether they could change the size of the SSSS but they said they could not due to system limitations. Some CO stations, particularly in Canada, were handwriting "SSSS" on SSSS BPs so that they wouldn't be missed.

Same here. Booked a one way flight and been through the additional screening process...

Had SSSSS happen once pre 9/11 at LHR returning to SFO. I recall it being pre 9/11 because the I had an 8 pack of Tetley's smooth flow (widget) ale in my carry on (I miss those days). I smiled and told the Scotsman who was doing the additional screen that if he reached for my Tetley's, we were about to have an international incident to contend with. He knowingly smiled, nodded and the extra screen went without incident and I was on my merry way with my Tetley's intact.

SSSS isn't necessarily that random. A LH rep referred to it as "Special Security Screening" so that's what I associate the letters with now, though I'm not sure what the actual meaning or acronym would be.

I'm sure there is a randomized component, but a lot must also do with your travel history and itinerary.

I travel in and out of Yemen a lot for work and believe me, I have to deal with an SSSS every time I enter or exit the U.S.

It can be a bit of a hassle but it has also helped me through security faster at times where there are long line-ups. I believe it's a TSA process.

Also, if you do notice the SSSS on your boarding pass, point it out at security screening if the security rep doesn't notice. In Miami, I was called out of the Lounge to get the whole luggage search, pat down, and itemizer swab because the fellow at the line didn't notice it on my pass. I had seen it but didn't mention it to avoid the added hassle. They will refuse you entry on to the plane until they are able to cross-reference your boarding pass in the system and confirm you've been through the additional screening so you may as well be up front about it.

Thanks for that... I know Yemenis and everyone who travelled to/from Yemen was getting SSSS a couple of years ago when things were getting increasingly boombastic in Yemen. Makes sense that it is still continuing.

Does CATSA still do "random" jetway screening for YYZ-DCA? I had no SSSS but the load was light, no pre-board, I was 3rd to board after 2 families with kids, selected, and when they were done everyone else had already boarded.

Another way to be helpful if you're travelling with someone is to give them your carry-on, jacket, blackberry, etc. before the security line. Then the extra security takes no time at all. It's nice of them to give advance warning.