Can't OLCI transborder: dreaded SSSS?!
Jan 29, 2016, 10:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, SPG Gold, UA MP
Posts: 1,002
Can't OLCI transborder: dreaded SSSS?!
Can't OLCI to US today with T<24h. Went through the entire OLCI then said there's an error. Called AC and they said may be a security thing with the US customs. Does this mean I'll get the dreaded SSSS? I have NEXUS.
GT
GT
Jan 29, 2016, 10:58 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
did you enter your NEXUS number on OLCI and/or booking? There is a condition where if you enter NEXUS as KT number AND as the ID to be used when traveling, it coughs up a hairball and can't complete OLCI.
Based on my past panic about the same (and I know, no biggie having SSSS, really) if you clear your cache and cookies from the various AC sites and try OLCI again and use your passport, it may work.
Based on my past panic about the same (and I know, no biggie having SSSS, really) if you clear your cache and cookies from the various AC sites and try OLCI again and use your passport, it may work.
Jan 29, 2016, 11:01 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Well, as I posted a while back, even with my Nexus, I get the SSSS.
Anyway, I did not get it for yesterday's departure, but the previous trip it came with a very nice back massage - no radiation - and I actually got through faster than the people in the Nexus line. Clown show.
Anyway, I did not get it for yesterday's departure, but the previous trip it came with a very nice back massage - no radiation - and I actually got through faster than the people in the Nexus line. Clown show.
Jan 29, 2016, 11:44 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, SPG Gold, UA MP
Posts: 1,002
I tried both passport and NEXUS when I did OLCI.
I thought SSSS needs to go to the separate CBP area and you have to wait a while being questioned by US CBP before they stamp you, no?
I thought SSSS needs to go to the separate CBP area and you have to wait a while being questioned by US CBP before they stamp you, no?
Jan 29, 2016, 11:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,105
SSSS is not US CBP.
It's a CATSA thing.
Just go to the Nexus line, and indicate you have SSSS (after your are in line.).
Before the BIG AWESOME MACHINE THAT SEES ALL, tell them you are SSSS.
They'll take you over to the front of the line of NORMAL SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE.
They'll do your bags, and make you go through the MACHINE THAT LETS THEM SEE YOUR GOODIE BAG NAKED.
After that, all will be fine, AND THE WORLD BE WILL BE MORE SECURE.
It's a CATSA thing.
Just go to the Nexus line, and indicate you have SSSS (after your are in line.).
Before the BIG AWESOME MACHINE THAT SEES ALL, tell them you are SSSS.
They'll take you over to the front of the line of NORMAL SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE.
They'll do your bags, and make you go through the MACHINE THAT LETS THEM SEE YOUR GOODIE BAG NAKED.
After that, all will be fine, AND THE WORLD BE WILL BE MORE SECURE.
Jan 29, 2016, 11:57 am
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
I did a same day YOW-DCA-YOW trip a few months ago and got SSSS from the check-in kiosk at DCA on the return. The check-in counter wasn't busy. I showed my NEXUS card and my BP was cheerfully re-printed without SSSS. YMMV.
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13F
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13F
Jan 29, 2016, 12:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
Have had SSSS 4 or 5 times over the years. Only time it was an issue was due to original flight being cancelled by UA. Four of us were rebooked with departure in less than one hour. It triggered SSSS. TSA said they'd never seen this (so many people, same flight) and it became suspicious for them. They were quite thorough.
Jan 29, 2016, 12:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
At the end, I had like 3-4 different colors of thick circles around SSSS.
Jan 29, 2016, 12:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
But as others have posted, SSSS can be quick. It depends on how they feel about you on the day. It's not necessarily a secondary.
Jan 29, 2016, 12:58 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Jan 29, 2016, 1:02 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YEG
Programs: AC*SE, Marriott Plat, Natl Exec, NEXUS
Posts: 437
I've had SSSS 12 times now in the last 4 years, as a Nexus member. It's never resulted in a secondary inspection by CBP. Just the extra attention to your bags and your person, which has never added any significant time to my security experience. CATSA has always been quite good at it in YEG or YVR (I've never had it happen when crossing at YYC or YYZ for whatever reason, even though I cross the border a lot in those locations).
Jan 29, 2016, 2:33 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*SE MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 3,440
I'm happy that they at least give some advance notice that you're going to be SSSS'd. It gives me a chance to empty my pockets and give my jacket and carry-on to my wife, who invariably never gets the special treatment. I usually breeze through security after that.