SSSS - Experiences?
Sep 17, 2019, 2:33 am
#136
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,555
Sep 17, 2019, 2:43 am
#137
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,924
I've only ever been selected twice, once in 2010 and once last year. I suspect you are correct in that becoming a 'selectee' is a mostly random event.
Sep 17, 2019, 3:02 am
#138
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
I think it comes in 'waves' mostly - for me, in any case.
2018 entries into the US was becoming ridiculous where I was selected for SSSS close to 75% of the time (possibly more). It got the the point where it would be easier for me to provide my own rubber gloves
. It culminated in a rather invasive immigration interview(/interrogation) at both LHR and JFK in December 2018, which I would rather not repeat. I had quite some travel to 'interesting' countries in 2018 which I am assuming helped increase my visibility to DHS, particularly referencing these countries in the two interviews.
2019 has been much better, probably running at about 25% of entries to the US attracting SSSS which I think is about normal, about 4 times so far this year. I expect at least one more between now and year end - I have 3 more US trips to go.
I think there is a urban myth that GE reduces likelihood of avoiding SSSS, which is not true.
2018 entries into the US was becoming ridiculous where I was selected for SSSS close to 75% of the time (possibly more). It got the the point where it would be easier for me to provide my own rubber gloves
. It culminated in a rather invasive immigration interview(/interrogation) at both LHR and JFK in December 2018, which I would rather not repeat. I had quite some travel to 'interesting' countries in 2018 which I am assuming helped increase my visibility to DHS, particularly referencing these countries in the two interviews.2019 has been much better, probably running at about 25% of entries to the US attracting SSSS which I think is about normal, about 4 times so far this year. I expect at least one more between now and year end - I have 3 more US trips to go.
I think there is a urban myth that GE reduces likelihood of avoiding SSSS, which is not true.
Oct 7, 2019, 4:02 am
#144
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,945
Oct 7, 2019, 4:49 pm
#145
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,658
Oct 8, 2019, 7:59 am
#146
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,947
If we knew that, we'd be starting at that place instead! I have had the same issues with CAI, but oddly, I find the CBP agents are even more suspicious about IST. But geopolitics is ... in flux.
Oct 8, 2019, 8:55 am
#147
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Petroleum
Posts: 270
Oct 10, 2019, 6:35 am
#148
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 335
Positive Experience
I have an open jaw mixed class flight into ORD from London and out of MSY. Flew the ORD sector yesterday and got the dreaded SSSS. Took your advice gave my partner the carry on and took myself to the gate staff to identify as a SSSS candidate. They checked the boarding card and confirmed I was indeed special. It beeped again and I said surely not an upgrade? Yes indeed upgraded WTP to Club!!! Hubby too! He was called to the front of group 1 and I went down for screening. There were 43 on our A380 to be screened so getting in first was great and the screening comprised 2 swabs, hands and shoes. 30 seconds and then on to the aircraft with the pre boards! Excellent experience. Hubby and I were either side of the bassinet seats which were occupied by mum dad and a charming child who played pat a cake over and on the divider screen with me until she went to sleep for at least 4 hours.
Feb 11, 2020, 1:28 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 486
Recent SSSS. I noticed there was a reason code written down which, for me, was “S”. Any idea what that means? I think someone else was “R”. Seemed like most selectees were on the upper deck of 747
Feb 11, 2020, 8:54 pm
#150
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 955
I'm on a permanent SSSS ( able to hold multiple US visa's at once and them knowing I have multiple passports from 2 different countries puts me on the 'lets just check, and let's go to a little room for a chat" list upon arrival in the US) The extra screening at the gate is by far the easiest part. As said by others make sure your devices are charged up and switched on( but locked) as they always want to see it's a working device.d.
If anyone's really worried about you then you'll be met by someone from Special Branch at some point as you transit the airport and the SSSS people will be the last of your concerns
If anyone's really worried about you then you'll be met by someone from Special Branch at some point as you transit the airport and the SSSS people will be the last of your concerns