SSSS - Experiences?
Jul 28, 2018, 6:54 pm
#106
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 554
There is no rhyme nor reason - pure chance based around well actually nothing.
If as I am sure you and we all know, there is a suspect(s) then well....
T
Nov 23, 2018, 5:39 am
#108
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Something like 1 in 5 passengers can be checked (forget the quoted number) going to the USA. Best thing to do is go to the gate a little earlier than normal, approach an agent, and they'll put you through for the quick bag check sooner rather than later.
Nov 23, 2018, 5:52 am
#109
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,989
There is no reason to dread SSSS. It's a minor irritation at most, adding a few minutes to the boarding process - just be prepared, with all your electronics out of your hand luggage, Kindles out of their covers and shoelaces untied.
Nov 23, 2018, 6:39 am
#110
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Noticed no difference at the security check point in T3 and at the gate I was asked to go over to the side were there were a number of agents and tables setup ready to screen passengers. Agent asked if they could swab my carry on bag to test for the presence of certain substances (they were not specific re what they were testing for). Bag was opened to allow the zippers and handles to be swabbed inside and out but the contents of my bag were not examined and I was not given a pat down etc. Whole process took less than 5 minutes and I was on my way.
Nov 23, 2018, 6:57 am
#111
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 576
I had SSSS at T5 on Saturday. I was called forward before boarding, the gate agent retained my passport and then I went downstairs to a small screening area. No questions just a swab of electronics, lining of my bag and socks/shoes. 5 mins of waiting, 5 mins of search.
Nov 23, 2018, 8:00 am
#112
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Wiltshire
Programs: BAEC Blue
Posts: 108
I got the SSSS on my AA flight to CLT at DUB last month. Went through normal DUB security which was very quick and then onto US security, directed to SSSS screening area Took a few minutes for the swabs etc but pretty quick overall along with some friendly banter with the security chap as I was being processed.
Nov 25, 2018, 6:25 am
#113
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SNA; LAX; KUL
Posts: 433
At LHR T5 now and gotten the SSSS as a Global Entry. Will post my experiences here later on.
Edit at 2.39pm. done with the security theater, this time all those with SSSS were requested to go down the escalator first for the screening. Just a swab of electronics and any powders.
Edit at 2.39pm. done with the security theater, this time all those with SSSS were requested to go down the escalator first for the screening. Just a swab of electronics and any powders.
Last edited by miuk; Nov 25, 2018 at 7:40 am
Nov 25, 2018, 7:00 am
#114
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,630
I got SSSS on a recent flight to JFK. I've got Global Entry and was travelling in First. A completely painless experience, I went to the counter before the announced boarding, was escorted downstairs, had my bags searched and swabbed, my shoes and socks swabbed, and that was it. No questions, first to board. Not sure if this is atypical as I was expecting the third degree, had deleted all my social media from my phone and iPad etc!
Nov 25, 2018, 9:13 am
#115
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Programs: BA, LY, QF, UA, HH
Posts: 182
Had it once flying LHR-JFK on BA in Y. I went to the counter before they even announced boarding and showed my ticket, they took me downstairs, asked to see any electronics in my luggage could be turned on, and then let me board the plane before anyone else.
Surprisingly polite and painless experience.
Surprisingly polite and painless experience.
Nov 25, 2018, 9:16 am
#116
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,881
I got SSSS on a recent flight to JFK. I've got Global Entry and was travelling in First. A completely painless experience, I went to the counter before the announced boarding, was escorted downstairs, had my bags searched and swabbed, my shoes and socks swabbed, and that was it. No questions, first to board. Not sure if this is atypical as I was expecting the third degree, had deleted all my social media from my phone and iPad etc!
Nov 25, 2018, 10:42 am
#117
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 843
I've had SSSS several times as I fly a lot (mostly solo). One thing that has always intrigued me is that they let SSSS victims past the gate right at the start of the boarding process, with their non-SSSS traveling companions. It occurred to me there is nothing to prevent you simply giving all your hand luggage and electronics to your traveling companion, thereby markedly speeding up the SSSS process (it's taken me 10+ minutes when Capita / G4S - I forget which - were being particularly slow at T5), and presumably rather reducing it's effectiveness. Not having been SSSS'd whilst travelling in company, I haven't managed to check this one out.
Nov 25, 2018, 11:03 am
#118
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,158
I've had SSSS several times as I fly a lot (mostly solo). One thing that has always intrigued me is that they let SSSS victims past the gate right at the start of the boarding process, with their non-SSSS traveling companions. It occurred to me there is nothing to prevent you simply giving all your hand luggage and electronics to your traveling companion, thereby markedly speeding up the SSSS process (it's taken me 10+ minutes when Capita / G4S - I forget which - were being particularly slow at T5), and presumably rather reducing it's effectiveness. Not having been SSSS'd whilst travelling in company, I haven't managed to check this one out.
Nov 25, 2018, 3:57 pm
#119
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,538
I got it last month MEX to CLT. Was swabbed down at gate in Mexico and then segregated at passport control in usa for a secondary revision on my passport. Not a pleasant experience, but I just told the truth and eventually all was ok. Overall it Took about an hour of sitting and waiting and getting grilled on my reason for travelling. Eventually stamped and passed through.
Nov 25, 2018, 6:58 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
The two times I've had SSSS on BA PB leaving from LHR, both have been with simple questions asked, swipe of hands, shoes and bags and clear to board. In one of the last years of only crediting all flights to AA, I had a creepy experience at the First Check-In, after being provided with a S4 BP, I had a very deep questioning of work and personal travel related questions.
It all fell short at my answer to the question of the physical address of my employer, which I was unable to provide. I was doing a 6 month consult assignment for a company not accepting to give out the physical address, and the guys (two of them) working for GS4 , (or was it G4S?) were unhappy with me willing to provide the address of the principal commissioning my work. "We must know where to find you, should we need to find you working" was the answer.
After a complete turn out of the contents of my roller and smaller carry-on bag, they were still not happy , but left me to re-pack and, evidently proceed to boarding. No time for a drink in the lounge, running for the gate made me board seconds before gate closure. Upon arrival to ORD, I felt the aftermath, by being taken offside for another thorough questioning, another take-out-all-the-items in both-your-bags procedure, even worse than what I experienced after taking advantage of a favourable LAX-MEX deal possible to route via JFK, when returning after a second run in less than a week .
So my advice is: Keep calm, arrive early, answer truthfully and avoid jokes - a collegue of mine tried to twist the question when answering in the same situation - he didn't make the flight, rebooked 4 h later
It all fell short at my answer to the question of the physical address of my employer, which I was unable to provide. I was doing a 6 month consult assignment for a company not accepting to give out the physical address, and the guys (two of them) working for GS4 , (or was it G4S?) were unhappy with me willing to provide the address of the principal commissioning my work. "We must know where to find you, should we need to find you working" was the answer.
After a complete turn out of the contents of my roller and smaller carry-on bag, they were still not happy , but left me to re-pack and, evidently proceed to boarding. No time for a drink in the lounge, running for the gate made me board seconds before gate closure. Upon arrival to ORD, I felt the aftermath, by being taken offside for another thorough questioning, another take-out-all-the-items in both-your-bags procedure, even worse than what I experienced after taking advantage of a favourable LAX-MEX deal possible to route via JFK, when returning after a second run in less than a week .
So my advice is: Keep calm, arrive early, answer truthfully and avoid jokes - a collegue of mine tried to twist the question when answering in the same situation - he didn't make the flight, rebooked 4 h later
