How are secondary security screenings determined?
 

I fly weekly for work and have not had any secondary screenings as of yet (knock on wood). My partner flies with me only for leisure trips and the past two times we've flown together (January and this past week), he's been flagged for a secondary security screening. Both times it was on the return flight to the US, one from Canada and one from Mexico. How are these screenings determined? Is he flagged in some database somewhere? It doesn't seem to happen on US domestic flights.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The more legitimate reasons are to resolve an alarm on one of the security measures. There's also watch list screening, as there are certain "names" (hey, TSA doesn't put people on lists :rolleyes:) that are going to get the business every time they fly, no matter what. There was always the dreaded SSSS that showed up on tickets that guaranteed you hit the lottery for a secondary. It's possible he may share a name with someone on the list. There are common names on there like Robert Johnson, David Nelson, etc, so everyone with those names can possibly get hassled. SecureFlight was supposed to fix that, but it doesn't work very well.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of BS reasons why it could happen. TSA often uses "continuous screening" as cover all to justify a secondary.

In some cases, TSA picks on people who look like they're more likely to comply and not hassle them about it. In others, a screener may be attracted to the pax and wants to get a "closer" look. We've seen this with younger, attractive getting flagged for body scans and secondary pat downs, but it could happen with anyone that tickles a particular screener's fancy.

There are retaliatory secondaries if you challenge a screener on policy or a rule. Many of us have gotten those.

If a SPOTnik thinks you look funny, or doesn't like your answers, you could be sent to secondary.

If a person has a medical device or other disability, that can cause alternative methods to be used.

Lots of reasons, many are garbage, and unfortunately, unless you notice something that he always does, or if he consistently acts in a certain way at a checkpoint, it can be really hard to tell.

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On another note, while writing this, I just thought we could start a thread much like Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a Redneck." We can call it " ... Then you might be secondaried." :D

I found that having a beard or long hair that is not military neat would get me a secondary every single time here at BOS. Although now I suspect I am on some kind of list since I get secondaries every time I fly even clean shaven and with a crew cut. I don't know how he was dressed but I would suggest getting a hair cut within a few days of travel, shaving with a triple or quad blade razor within a few hours of travel, and wearing a nice suit and tie. Although of course that is exactly what a real terrorist would do. Maybe the TSA will start putting barber shops under surveillance, monitor sales of beard trimmers, and start monitoring suit purchases. Any suits or ties purchased within a week of travel would flag you for a cavity search. Also he should avoid being in the sun too much. The whiter your skin the less likely you are to be a terrorist. Lucky for me I avoid the sun and am as pasty white as you can get. Although maybe being too white is also suspicious.

They are determined by if you interfere with security by doing heinous things like saying "could you please change your gloves?"

That's not true.

There are other factors, like being an attractive woman traveling alone for example.

Or being a cancer patient with a radical mastectomy.

Or a military veteran with an ostomy.

"If you have more than one Tom Clancy novel in your carry-on, you might be secondaried."

I have thought of buying a book written in any middle eastern script making sure it would be in a bin exposed.

Actually not a bad idea. Awhile back a guy had a tee shirt with middle eastern writing and after a fuss was allowed to board the plane but then some TSA Gestapos got on the plane and told him he had to change his shirt or get off and not fly. He didn't change his shirt and wasn't allowed to fly. He sued the two TSO's involved and the airline. Case was settled for around $240000. You also don't need middle eastern writing. Some state legislature members in NH always keep a copy of the Constitution on them. They have complained it always leads to intrusive screening by TSA.

Cup size.

Is buying a OW ticket an automatic SSSS these days? I typically fly one way these days, but I haven't flown for over a year.

you mean like this? ;)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/discounthock...2145_128698310

True...and sad.

I do not think so. I flew OW (one way) from LAS to HOU in January of this year and did not get an SSSS on my ticket. I thought that coupled with buying my ticket the day before my flight would surely would get me the SSSS, but it didn't ... thank God!

I think there are several factors:

1. In an administrative secondary, there's not much you can do. You have an SSSS, or you alarmed something that couldn't be resolved.

2. The "bulky item" issue is also avoidable. I always wear the minimum amount of clothing, and usually wear just my t-shirt, pants, and no belt. Although that could make me an easy catch (the secondary would go quickly,") it's better to be in slim-fitting, minimal attire.

3. Electronic boarding cards help. They don't give TDI or BDO staff much opportunity to scrutinize anything. And I always use a driver's license as ID, even if traveling on an international flight (no rule against that.)

4. Be polite, pleasant, and fast. I move VERY quickly. I have my phone out, driver's license out, everything is scanned. BANG! I my laptop out, liquids out, shoes off, double check that my pockets are empty, and avoid eye contact. At the WTMD, I have moved so quickly that the screener doesn't have time. I'm already passed him or her, reclaiming my belongings.

5. For gate screenings, there are similar rules. Make sure the're busy with someone else, avoid eye contact, and move quickly. As an elite frequent flyer, one can sometimes chose the boarding line or boarding time least likely to arouse suspicion. Again, electronic boarding cards help: I'm busy fake shutting off my cell phone and don't even look up. I move quickly and get on the plane.

The "low hanging fruit" rule is very much in place: an attractive woman traveling alone is a great choice. She'll be compliant, won't be carrying and contraband, and they'll enjoy spending time with her. Be slim, work fast, use a mobile boarding card, and be out of their way before there's any chance of considering you as a selectee. It's win-win.

6. Avoiding full-body x-ray requires greater navigation and expertise. Most everyone I know just manages to "chose the right line." The TSA does not want to deal with someone who is going to be upset or ask for an opt-out. So I think it's easier to move quickly and unnoticeably to the best possible line or location. In some airports (like my home airport at SFO) one can chose certain checkpoints over others.

I buy almost exclusively OW tickets for domestic flights. Never get the dreaded SSSS.