I don't doubt that x-rays won't show the letters and that whatever is in the pouch wouldn't be compromised by that. But as I know you know, it still has to leave the courier's control to do that and that's a big no-no.

Couriers might insist, but I don't think it's out of fear of the x-ray on the courier's part. It's probably coming from a security regulation from the agency, or even US law. Also, I wouldn't want something to happen at the checkpoint, have the pouch damaged (ie a hard drive dropped, for example), then have that come back to haunt me. I just know how my luck would be.

Interesting and thanks.

So it seems that my initial question has been answered. US (or even foreign) government clearances don't have any part of either picking or not being picked for an SSSS interrogation.

I guess it just worked out for me that in any situation and performing certain (last minute, first class fares) transactions won't ever signal me for an SSSS.

So, the obvious next question: Does anyone have the process figured out on who is selected and how that determination comes in? If it really is purely up to the airline, are they mandated at all by any federal agency? Otherwise, what's to say that Airline A picks an allotment of 10% of passengers that pose no specific threat, while Airline B picks the same 10%, although all are suspected 'risky' passengers...and Airline A decided to pick its 10 based on non-FFs, non-high revenue, last minute purchases? Do the airlines get audited every so often?

-jeremy

Not to continue an off-topic discussion, but I just would like to mention that someone with a security clearance should not WANT special treatment. Any kind of special treatment draws attention, and having a security clearance is something that you shouldn't draw attention to.

Let's face it, I think there are several threads on this board about how easy it often is to pick out a FAM.

The only safe way I can think of would be a trusted traveler type of program where maybe having a security clearance makes it easier to get accepted, since at least one government agency has done a background investigation already.

In theory, yes. However, there's a big stink amongst contractors right now with different agencies not taking each other's poly's right now. Then when people go take their poly, they fail. So they can't work with one agency because they failed the poly, but they can continue to work with classified information with the other.

I know people in my company have had to deal with that.

Well, back to the risk management philosophy. If I personally place a bag inside the x-ray machine and pick it up at the other end, it's reasonable to assume the risk that no one is going to open it up and look at the contents (should be in a locked container with the documents themselves sealed in an envelope). Yes, theoretically a screener may have to search the bag; however, I put the onus for that on the courier. If you're stupid enough to pack a pocketknife in the same bag that contains classified information, then who's to blame? Point is that it is no secret that TSA screens bags, and it would be a matter of reducing the screening profile on a bag or briefcase as much as possible so that TSA would have no reason to open the container.

Then again, you bring up a great point about how some couriers treat classified information like the crown jewels and constantly clutch it, which also draws additional attention from security personnel. I don't think I've developed a cavalier attitude towards classified information in the many times I've handled it, but I didn't get wrapped around the axle with it neither. Suffice it to say, however, I suppose there were times when I technically violated certain security regulations due to operational contraints and circumstances. But I won't digress any further on that point.

And of course there's the case of people who unwittingly are helping the other side. This could happen at the airport checkpoint, as well.

Have to agree here. Try to remember: only TSA is above the law.

I fortunately have not gotten a single SSSS since I started frequent flight (nearly 100 flights last year, 60 the previous year, several this year so far). I've held clearance for most of that time, but have never figured that had anything to do with it; the DoD (or other agency for those with, say, DoE clearances, etc.) is not going to share their DBs with the TSA. Not going to happen!!!

What I DO find funny about flying and holding clearance is that places like MCO that have the silly "pay us extortion and we won't play shoe carnival with you" program still run a background check on you when you sign up... a background check that is many orders of magnitude less thorough than the one you've already undergone.

Query: For those who get SSSS, do you always refuse to remove shoes at the checkpoint? Why bother, as you are going to be inconvenienced anyway.

So if we're going to get the full secondary anyway, why walk across a filthy, disgusting floor with no shoes? They can't threaten a full secondary, as you're already getting it, so why bother? I've never had to take my shoes off in a secondary anyway, even when the reason why I was sent there was because of shoes.

^ Same here, I've had a black cloud following me hmmm since I got married

Our CSPSO has been watching too many Mission Impossible movies. When I got read on to another program recently she went over the courier rules for the agency involved. There was the usual stuff, take the most direct route to the airport, park at the terminal (SWEET! don't have to park in Siberia and take the bus), no alcohol etc. But now we can't have the package x-rayed!?!? Huh? As Bart and others have said, documents being x-rayed can't be read so what's the big deal? Well, she said there's two reasons: details of some of the items *can* be ascertained using the x-ray scanners and she along wih the governing agency are (overly)worried about scanner malfunctions or a possible (Mission Impossible-style) switcheroo while the package is out of our hands.

You know, I can understand the first concern because of the type of stuff we do but c'mon, Tom Cruise rigging a trap door inside the x-ray machine in order to steal a package that coming to the airport with only 4 hours' notice? Ha! 4 hours....usually they come over at 3pm to ask if anyone can run a transport on a flight leaving at 4:45! Luckily those flights are usually in F

But you don't get to enjoy the free booze.

Always keep a bag packed! ^

It's only happened once to me so far (Grand Rapids, MI) and they didn't even bring up the subject of shoes. I walked through, didn't alarm, so they just took a swab and that was it as far as the shoes were concerned.