Interesting observation on SSSS
Nov 12, 2014, 5:23 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,106
Had some PM from some other folk.
Maybe we have a data point here.
I really do think it is just an IT thing. Data doesn't match, don't know what to do, throw it out, and mark the record.
Had same thing with UA and AA. They fixed it.
Maybe we have a data point here.
I really do think it is just an IT thing. Data doesn't match, don't know what to do, throw it out, and mark the record.
Had same thing with UA and AA. They fixed it.
Nov 13, 2014, 2:07 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Posts: 251
I work in Yemen so I get the SSSS treatment every time I go to the U.S. It's pretty funny when they claim I've been "randomly selected" when I know very well that there's nothing random about it.
My only contribution to this thread is that if you notice the SSSS on your boarding pass, ensure the security guys notice and properly clear you. In Miami I noticed the SSSS on my BP and thought I was clever by not mentioning it and clearing security as usual. When I went to board the flight, my BP was rejected and they had to call a TSA official to the gate to give me a pat down, and they then had to hold the flight while he ran back to run the gloves through the atomizer. Believe me, there is nothing worse than being the guy getting extra attention at the gate!!
My only contribution to this thread is that if you notice the SSSS on your boarding pass, ensure the security guys notice and properly clear you. In Miami I noticed the SSSS on my BP and thought I was clever by not mentioning it and clearing security as usual. When I went to board the flight, my BP was rejected and they had to call a TSA official to the gate to give me a pat down, and they then had to hold the flight while he ran back to run the gloves through the atomizer. Believe me, there is nothing worse than being the guy getting extra attention at the gate!!
Nov 13, 2014, 6:33 am
#50
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SSSS
Based on conversations I had with TSA ground staff and call centre, the point of the SSSS is the that it is random. And he also said it applies to anyone even with GE etc.
IMO, the problem with random is that the concept wastes time on people who are not only low risk-no risk, but worse, on all of those who have had their backgrounds checked, irises and fingerprints scanned. (As someone else pointed out in another thread, the govs now have a beautiful database that is not only voluntary, but they actually charged a fee to get people to volunteer).
But since we're talking about security theatre, we all have to play along.
As for AC IT issues that have affected more than just one of us, well, well one check-in agent told me that she was told the problem is the TSA's fault, I educated her otherwise.
Also, even if the TSA Pre-Check is not meant for ex-Canada flights, it certainly makes a difference having it when departing the U.S. and should appear on boarding passes we can print ourselves....but this is another conversation.
IMO, the problem with random is that the concept wastes time on people who are not only low risk-no risk, but worse, on all of those who have had their backgrounds checked, irises and fingerprints scanned. (As someone else pointed out in another thread, the govs now have a beautiful database that is not only voluntary, but they actually charged a fee to get people to volunteer).
But since we're talking about security theatre, we all have to play along.
As for AC IT issues that have affected more than just one of us, well, well one check-in agent told me that she was told the problem is the TSA's fault, I educated her otherwise.
Also, even if the TSA Pre-Check is not meant for ex-Canada flights, it certainly makes a difference having it when departing the U.S. and should appear on boarding passes we can print ourselves....but this is another conversation.
Nov 13, 2014, 7:45 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 830
Random? Nonsense.
On a recent late-night YUL-LGA leg, while waiting to clear security in YUL, I noticed the 2 pax in front of me both got SSSS (they hadn't noticed it on their BP) I noticed mine when the agent reprinted my BP after my upgrade, but then I also noticed the 2 pax behind me bot got SSSS as well. So 5 pax in one security line with the "random" SSSS? Bull. It must have been a man-made glitch to cause that many pax to be assigned extra screening, in a row, versus the so-called random selection process. What was funnier was the reaction of the security people who called out to one-another, rolling their eyes, "We've got another one!". I heard this a few times that night waiting in line - it would appear the security people think as little of the SSSS as the pax.
Nov 13, 2014, 8:48 am
#52
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On a recent late-night YUL-LGA leg, while waiting to clear security in YUL, I noticed the 2 pax in front of me both got SSSS (they hadn't noticed it on their BP) I noticed mine when the agent reprinted my BP after my upgrade, but then I also noticed the 2 pax behind me bot got SSSS as well. So 5 pax in one security line with the "random" SSSS? Bull. It must have been a man-made glitch to cause that many pax to be assigned extra screening, in a row, versus the so-called random selection process. What was funnier was the reaction of the security people who called out to one-another, rolling their eyes, "We've got another one!". I heard this a few times that night waiting in line - it would appear the security people think as little of the SSSS as the pax.
My quote from TSA or your experience does not change the reality:
Pax get SSSS
BTW, I also found out from someone at AC that the check-in agent can also send a pax off for SSSS. I have no proof, but I'd believe it.
Still does not answer the question: why are pax who are already pre-clearend forced to get groped or have their molecules scattered (all the while someone who is potentially dangerous gets a pass for all the obvious reasons)
Nov 13, 2014, 12:17 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: IAH
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I always go for the patdown as i travel frequently enough and there is not enough safety data on the scanners. Yes i know they say they are safe but that is what they said about x rays 50 years ago. Just go for the pat down. It is safer and does not slow you down that much
Nov 13, 2014, 5:37 pm
#54
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My quote from TSA or your experience does not change the reality:
Pax get SSSS
BTW, I also found out from someone at AC that the check-in agent can also send a pax off for SSSS. I have no proof, but I'd believe it.
Still does not answer the question: why are pax who are already pre-clearend forced to get groped or have their molecules scattered (all the while someone who is potentially dangerous gets a pass for all the obvious reasons)
Pax get SSSS
BTW, I also found out from someone at AC that the check-in agent can also send a pax off for SSSS. I have no proof, but I'd believe it.
Still does not answer the question: why are pax who are already pre-clearend forced to get groped or have their molecules scattered (all the while someone who is potentially dangerous gets a pass for all the obvious reasons)
Nov 13, 2014, 6:25 pm
#55
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Exactly. Last time I was going through LHR, I was selected for extra processing... I was forced to go through the scanner. There wasn't even an option to have the pat down.
They only recently added the option to opt out in the UK (last November, I think)
Originally Posted by Prewrappedbacon
I always go for the patdown as i travel frequently enough and there is not enough safety data on the scanners. Yes i know they say they are safe but that is what they said about x rays 50 years ago. Just go for the pat down. It is safer and does not slow you down that much
Nov 13, 2014, 7:07 pm
#56
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Mr. Penguin
No size problems with my molecules and I wasn't talking about me.
Pre-NEXUS, I was going through the see-thru box at LAX a couple of times a month. I was more annoyed at the same female TSA agent who wanted to touch my pants. Ugh. the same women. 3 times in 6 weeks. Ah, so many things I could have said.....never mind.
Security Theatre and we are all unpaid actors (my line)
Nov 13, 2014, 7:28 pm
#57
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Mr. Penguin
No size problems with my molecules and I wasn't talking about me.
Pre-NEXUS, I was going through the see-thru box at LAX a couple of times a month. I was more annoyed at the same female TSA agent who wanted to touch my pants. Ugh. the same women. 3 times in 6 weeks. Ah, so many things I could have said.....never mind.
Security Theatre and we are all unpaid actors (my line)
No size problems with my molecules and I wasn't talking about me.
Pre-NEXUS, I was going through the see-thru box at LAX a couple of times a month. I was more annoyed at the same female TSA agent who wanted to touch my pants. Ugh. the same women. 3 times in 6 weeks. Ah, so many things I could have said.....never mind.
Security Theatre and we are all unpaid actors (my line)