SSSS - Experiences?
Jan 5, 2018, 1:53 am
#46
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
late booking, and I was lucky to get any seat on the UD. I think 64a is still available but showing as blocked. Will see if I can snatch for myself.
UPDATE: 64a was taken. However seems I have been upgraded to first so not all bad
. Still have my special search to look forward to.
UPDATE: 64a was taken. However seems I have been upgraded to first so not all bad
. Still have my special search to look forward to.Last edited by KARFA; Jan 5, 2018 at 3:38 am
Jan 5, 2018, 1:53 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
All this reminds me of why I haven't travelled to the US since GWB was a lad (and I'm UA 2 MM).
Though the only time I was SSSS'ed was flying UA C class out of Saigon in the mid-2000's, I think. Perhaps it was because it was my 6th flight out of there in a month? Who knows? A bit obtrusive, but no big deal.
Though the only time I was SSSS'ed was flying UA C class out of Saigon in the mid-2000's, I think. Perhaps it was because it was my 6th flight out of there in a month? Who knows? A bit obtrusive, but no big deal.
Jan 5, 2018, 2:04 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
I had had GE for about a year and had entered the US several times without incident. Then I renewed my passport...
For some reason it clearly took a while for the new number to propagate through the various DHS/CBP/TSA systems as twice in a row I got the dreaded X and like others above spent a considerable amount of time sitting in a cheerless room
The most galling thing though was that when my name was eventually called, the agent just handed me my passport and said "the way out is over there".... come on guys, at least ask me some tough questions !!
For some reason it clearly took a while for the new number to propagate through the various DHS/CBP/TSA systems as twice in a row I got the dreaded X and like others above spent a considerable amount of time sitting in a cheerless room
The most galling thing though was that when my name was eventually called, the agent just handed me my passport and said "the way out is over there".... come on guys, at least ask me some tough questions !!
Jan 5, 2018, 2:51 am
#49
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver, Amex Platinum
Posts: 149
Got my first one on ticket today. Secondary security screening incoming. Not especially excited.
Any advice? Get to gate early? Be proactive with staff? Expect to be grilled?!
EDIT: It's UK (home country) to US, valid ESTA, from T3 on BA.
External company bought the ticket at obscurely high price for WT+ (company policy or something), so wondering if it's down to: 1. frequency of flying; 2. paying excessively for a 777 Prem Economy seat; 3. I've got ex-CAI and an ex-MCT TP runs incoming (neither on the "US banned list" though).
Any advice? Get to gate early? Be proactive with staff? Expect to be grilled?!
EDIT: It's UK (home country) to US, valid ESTA, from T3 on BA.
External company bought the ticket at obscurely high price for WT+ (company policy or something), so wondering if it's down to: 1. frequency of flying; 2. paying excessively for a 777 Prem Economy seat; 3. I've got ex-CAI and an ex-MCT TP runs incoming (neither on the "US banned list" though).
*EDIT* I should add: he did not have any extra physical security checks, just the questioning at the gate. We were connecting from EDI.
Last edited by Ruth4325; Jan 5, 2018 at 2:56 am
Jan 5, 2018, 4:56 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, TKM&S Elite
Posts: 27
My son (age 13) had SSSS over New Year on our trip to LAX. Fortunately he was not being a typical teenager and had actually changed his socks in the past 24hrs ;-) No real questions for him, just swabbed hands, socks and bags. We were in J, and were told by gate agent who escorted us to a waiting area. Interestingly she said a parent or guardian had to be with him - not sure what they would have done if he was travelling solo (which he did three times last year). Then when we got to LAX he was also pulled for extra checks, as apparently his UK passport number was the same as another foreign passport that was listed as lost or stolen, so it pinged on the system.
Jan 5, 2018, 5:11 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Gosport, uk
Programs: Baec Bronze
Posts: 40
I was selected for a more extensive screening/serch back in May 2007 on a delta flight from LGW-CINCINNATI, is was as simple as a manual bag check of checked in baggage and a pat down before going through security proper but as far as i can remember it took all of about 15 mins.
Jan 5, 2018, 7:31 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
The mind boggles.
Jan 30, 2018, 12:59 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: BA S, AA G(1MM), Hilton D
Posts: 253
Are the G4S rep's allowed to hold onto passports during the extra SSSS Security checks? I was a little unsure of this at LHR yesterday, and experience has taught me that I don't like being separated from my passport under any circumstances.
Full list of events was that BA Gate Agent handed my passport & BP to G4S supervisor as she said "you're getting an extra check". I stood by the G4S guy while he looked at my BP & passport, then said "Take a seat". I asked for my passport back, (Reasoning: they don't need it, withholding BP should be enough to prevent travel) and was told in a very gruff tone 'You're getting an extra security check". I decided it wasn't worth arguing it, but made a point of not letting my passport out of my sight. In the 15 mins or so it took, two separate G4S employees left my passport unattended on tables as other passengers filed past. I, as I suspect many on here would, just wanted to get on board, and couldn't be bothered making a fuss, which would surely only delay me, but I'm left with the thought that, as they are not agents of the Government, are the G4S legally entitled to withhold a passport, against the owner's will?
Full list of events was that BA Gate Agent handed my passport & BP to G4S supervisor as she said "you're getting an extra check". I stood by the G4S guy while he looked at my BP & passport, then said "Take a seat". I asked for my passport back, (Reasoning: they don't need it, withholding BP should be enough to prevent travel) and was told in a very gruff tone 'You're getting an extra security check". I decided it wasn't worth arguing it, but made a point of not letting my passport out of my sight. In the 15 mins or so it took, two separate G4S employees left my passport unattended on tables as other passengers filed past. I, as I suspect many on here would, just wanted to get on board, and couldn't be bothered making a fuss, which would surely only delay me, but I'm left with the thought that, as they are not agents of the Government, are the G4S legally entitled to withhold a passport, against the owner's will?
Jan 30, 2018, 1:05 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,948
They also did his to me at LHR T3 and the price for querying this was that the G4S worker called over the Homeland Security goon who in turn instructed the BA gate agent to remove me from the flight manifest until the security check was complete. These people are out of control, but they're in charge so...
Jan 30, 2018, 2:45 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Marburg & somewhere near Springfield, IL
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH M&M, HHonors Gold
Posts: 56
Had it twice now with BA in T5 in the last 3 months but not with AA when flying out of LHR (all in J). Only shoes, Laptop, phone and I-pad checked separately though.
Jan 30, 2018, 7:21 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
I got SSSS on a LHR-MIA at T3 just before Christmas. I'm Global Entry but my passport was relatively new which apparently triggered it. Fairly painless.
There was a "system" at the gate for separating SSSS from regular pax. Cabin bag search and swab was quick but the G4S guy sratched his balls twice with his rubber gloved hand during the process; thankfully my bag and his balls both passed the test. Then brief questions from a uniformed DHS goon; also painless except the young guy made a point of telling the gate agent to remove me from the flight manifest until the process had been completed, which seemed an unnecessarily aggressive tactic. I asked if that was a new thing, since I'd never encountered that before, and got: "I don't have to tell you anything, I introduced myself as a courtesy which I didn't have to do," which was untrue on many layers, not least that he hadn't introduced himself but his name badge was visible anyway. Not the brightest chap. I asked to report the ball-scratcher and the BA gate lead agent pointed to G4S guys who pointed back to the BA gate lead agent. It's not BA's fault, but annoying that nobody cared.
Side note: it got worse on arrival at MIA. The Global Entry machines weren't working and the CBP agent sent me for secondary questions because of the SSSS. (I'm have Global Entry, work for a US employer and travel to the US about 10 times a year, so this was unusual.) Waited almost three hours then got a CBP agent who had clearly googled my Facebook profile and asked me loudly, in the main seating area, to explain my relationship with various people on my friends list and whether they were friends or "intimate friends." Was also made to list every country I'd ever been to on a piece of paper, was refused a pen to do so and had to borrow one from a Cuban lady. Then they found my old passport number and all was good. At the tertiary bag search, the CBP agent looked at me and said: "I suppose you sell insurance or something." When I said I was a journalist he said: "Ugh, worse," and walked off without inspecting the bag. (Complaint filed, boilerplate response received.) It was humbling to get a reminder of what less privileged travelers (especially non-whites, judging from the waiting room) experience on a regular basis.
There was a "system" at the gate for separating SSSS from regular pax. Cabin bag search and swab was quick but the G4S guy sratched his balls twice with his rubber gloved hand during the process; thankfully my bag and his balls both passed the test. Then brief questions from a uniformed DHS goon; also painless except the young guy made a point of telling the gate agent to remove me from the flight manifest until the process had been completed, which seemed an unnecessarily aggressive tactic. I asked if that was a new thing, since I'd never encountered that before, and got: "I don't have to tell you anything, I introduced myself as a courtesy which I didn't have to do," which was untrue on many layers, not least that he hadn't introduced himself but his name badge was visible anyway. Not the brightest chap. I asked to report the ball-scratcher and the BA gate lead agent pointed to G4S guys who pointed back to the BA gate lead agent. It's not BA's fault, but annoying that nobody cared.
Side note: it got worse on arrival at MIA. The Global Entry machines weren't working and the CBP agent sent me for secondary questions because of the SSSS. (I'm have Global Entry, work for a US employer and travel to the US about 10 times a year, so this was unusual.) Waited almost three hours then got a CBP agent who had clearly googled my Facebook profile and asked me loudly, in the main seating area, to explain my relationship with various people on my friends list and whether they were friends or "intimate friends." Was also made to list every country I'd ever been to on a piece of paper, was refused a pen to do so and had to borrow one from a Cuban lady. Then they found my old passport number and all was good. At the tertiary bag search, the CBP agent looked at me and said: "I suppose you sell insurance or something." When I said I was a journalist he said: "Ugh, worse," and walked off without inspecting the bag. (Complaint filed, boilerplate response received.) It was humbling to get a reminder of what less privileged travelers (especially non-whites, judging from the waiting room) experience on a regular basis.
Who the hell do they think they are? Oh yeah...
Mar 12, 2018, 8:27 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portugal
Programs: *G, VS Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 631
I got this recently on a transatlantic flight (not BA, but TAP from LIS-MIA) and it was not nearly as bad as I was expecting. My academic literature selection titles were lost on them (though it would not have gone over well if I'd been pulled in the US, I do know that much). They flipped through my books, swabbed the electronics and my shoes and waved me away fairly quickly. I've had far more invasive searches of my belongings before without SSSS. I recall at one time I think everyone boarding a flight to Gatwick had their carry-ons searched - mine was literally dumped onto a table, looked over, swabbed, and then left there for me to re-assemble. That was not a good time. I don't fly direct between the UK and US anymore.
Mar 13, 2018, 9:20 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Had SSSS on a recent LHR-MIA and a GE 'X' on arrival 
Not a biggie though - quick swab of various bits and a pleasant chat with the G4S guy, all done in 5 minutes; then 5 minutes in front of a CBP agent who couldn't see any reason why I should have been 'X'ed...
In neither case was I asked any searching questions...
Don't really think I'm going to bother renewing GE though as my 'X' hit rate is currently just under 50%
Not a biggie though - quick swab of various bits and a pleasant chat with the G4S guy, all done in 5 minutes; then 5 minutes in front of a CBP agent who couldn't see any reason why I should have been 'X'ed...
In neither case was I asked any searching questions...
Don't really think I'm going to bother renewing GE though as my 'X' hit rate is currently just under 50%
Mar 13, 2018, 9:30 am
#60
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
Have had SSSS twice. Both times completely painless, with articulate security folk. None of whom asked me stupid or personal questions.
However, beware of one issue that is in a rumour I have heard. Some of these Security folk like to brag to their friends about the stupidest questions and or tests that they have set for pax. So they might be deliberately winding up some folk.
However, beware of one issue that is in a rumour I have heard. Some of these Security folk like to brag to their friends about the stupidest questions and or tests that they have set for pax. So they might be deliberately winding up some folk.