Why did I get the dreaded SSSS despite my GE/Pre✓/Nexus status? [merged threads]
#16
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 191
Just curious, but if you got SSSS on your paper ticket, what would happen if you went on your mobile and downloaded your boarding pass to your phone--not as an email, but a in-app image ?
Anyone know if the barcode contains an SSSS indicator decoded during the ID-Check ? (never had the opportunity to check myself)
Anyone know if the barcode contains an SSSS indicator decoded during the ID-Check ? (never had the opportunity to check myself)
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
I was in the same boat as OP. First time I flew internationally with GE, I got SSSS on the way back. Ticket purchased well in advance, US credit card, etc. I got SSSS'd at LIR (Liberia, Costa Rica). Interesting thing with GE and SSSS is getting extra screening at departure, but not talking to anyone at CBP at MIA! Annoying, but not worse than a rigorous TSA opt-out patdown, except for not expecting the waistband search as I wasn't warned by LIR security that it would be included. They should have as I almost had a reflex reaction to it that wouldn't have ended well for my screener. Only flight out of 54 that I've received it this year, in fact I'm the only person I've seen receive it on any of them (for whatever that is worth).
#19
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 171
Really? I just flew my first international flight after getting GE and was selected for extra groping at Narita on the way back. I told them I'd rather just switch to the next flight and that I would wait as long as necessary in Japan rather than let them grope me, but the woman at the gate told me I was chosen particularly by the TSA and that I would be flagged no matter what flight I took. This is an interesting pattern.
Can other new GE members chime in? Do you get special security attention on your first return to the U.S. after getting GE?
Can other new GE members chime in? Do you get special security attention on your first return to the U.S. after getting GE?
#20
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
I received no additional scrutiny before my first flight back after GE, and I am almost certain that the same applies to the vast majority of GE members. I highly doubt your additional security attention was connected in any way with GE.
#21
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Really? I just flew my first international flight after getting GE and was selected for extra groping at Narita on the way back. I told them I'd rather just switch to the next flight and that I would wait as long as necessary in Japan rather than let them grope me, but the woman at the gate told me I was chosen particularly by the TSA and that I would be flagged no matter what flight I took. This is an interesting pattern.
Can other new GE members chime in? Do you get special security attention on your first return to the U.S. after getting GE?
Can other new GE members chime in? Do you get special security attention on your first return to the U.S. after getting GE?
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Since becoming a GE traveler I have not been SSSS'd on any flight (intl. or dom.) SSSS can pop up in odd situations: (1)I was on a flight that was cancelled, and rebooked on another airline--the system perceives this as a same day ticket purchase, (2)I was flying from cdg to jfk (a few years before GE even existed), (3)I was on a connecting flight lga-stl-las, my two bp's had no SSSS, on arrival in STL I checked if my upg had cleared, and that new (1st cl.) bp had SSSS--the agent was able to "suppress" the SSSS, but on my return trip I was SSSS'd on the initial segment.
#23
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
Same thing happened to me, I have now received the dreaded SSSS twice in the past year. In both cases they were overseas flights where the airport desk or gate popped out a new SSSS pass to replace the one I had received earlier in the day.
I am hoping that it was just random SSSS i.e. unlucky, and NOT the result of recent travel to the middle east or worse an indication that the Boraxo name is now on the watch list
As noted above it makes little sense to pre-clear individuals through GE while at the same time subjecting them to heighten security theatre, but then feds and specifically TSA are not known for competence or intellect.
I am hoping that it was just random SSSS i.e. unlucky, and NOT the result of recent travel to the middle east or worse an indication that the Boraxo name is now on the watch list
As noted above it makes little sense to pre-clear individuals through GE while at the same time subjecting them to heighten security theatre, but then feds and specifically TSA are not known for competence or intellect.
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Just adding another data point. First international flight back to the States after obtaining GE and got the SSSS out of NRT. Fiance will be in the same condition in two weeks--should be able to add another data point then.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,509
Just to be clear, there is no evidence that GE is the cause of the SSSS, just that it is not creating exemption from SSSS in airline systems setup to accept known traveler numbers. The irony is that a redress number would probably nix the SSSS, but not a PASS ID.
It is just how [in]SecureFlight is setup. The proper tweak would to be for SecureFlight to take PASS IDs where offered and add that to the protocol for exemption from SSSS-- right now, an SSSS generated due to PNR factors is not nixed by a PASS ID, but can be by a valid redress number. It is just a matter of putting some lines of code into the SecureFlight software that no one has bothered to put in yet.
It is just how [in]SecureFlight is setup. The proper tweak would to be for SecureFlight to take PASS IDs where offered and add that to the protocol for exemption from SSSS-- right now, an SSSS generated due to PNR factors is not nixed by a PASS ID, but can be by a valid redress number. It is just a matter of putting some lines of code into the SecureFlight software that no one has bothered to put in yet.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
I got the SSSS earlier this year on a MAD-PHL flight. When leaving Europe with a U.S. carrier, one needs to go through some sort of question and answer ritual. Simple questions like if your luggage has been with you all the time, do you carry guns in your luggage, you get the drift. Since I was walking with a cane, the security guy asked me when I had surgery. I thought that was quite a silly question and replied that in the U.S. surgery is not a prerequisite to walk with a cane. I don't think he liked this answer and he left for a lengthy chat with his supervisor. When I finally was allowed to approach the check in counter, my boarding pass was printed and was marked SSSS. I don't believe that this was a random act and attribute this solely to the interaction with the security agent and certainly not to my GE status.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
It seems hypocritical. The TSA's long stated argument for having an SSSS system is, "We need to know more about you." Well, a trusted traveler program serves that very purpose. The occasional misfortune of a random is partially understandable, but Global Entry passengers should not routinely be subject to this.
I've had Global Entry for several years, and I've always had good luck (perhaps I've just jinxed that.)
I also used NEXUS for the fist time for travel by air, and did encounter secondary screening by customs, and I just got a web check-in Air Canada boarding card without the SSSS. I hope that the good luck continues.
I think that the variations of CAPPS need to be able to recognize a valid PASSID, and that would leave security agencies to concentrate their efforts on less trustred travelers. It seems like a pretty reasonable expectation.
I've had Global Entry for several years, and I've always had good luck (perhaps I've just jinxed that.)
I also used NEXUS for the fist time for travel by air, and did encounter secondary screening by customs, and I just got a web check-in Air Canada boarding card without the SSSS. I hope that the good luck continues.
I think that the variations of CAPPS need to be able to recognize a valid PASSID, and that would leave security agencies to concentrate their efforts on less trustred travelers. It seems like a pretty reasonable expectation.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
Trusted Traveler Card (ie GE, nexus) and SSSS
My wife, my 17 year old daughter, and I have got our nexus card (with GE privileges) about 6 months ago.
Together, we have travelled to USA three times, through US preclearance facilities at Canadian airports. We have each got a "SSSS" on our boarding pass - one of us at each of the 3 trips.
It seems that over the previous several years, I do not remember any one of us getting a SSSS.
I would have thought that our passport linked to our nexus card (and trusted traveler number with US CBP) would have decreased, not increased, the odds of getting that secondary inspection statement on our boarding pass.
Together, we have travelled to USA three times, through US preclearance facilities at Canadian airports. We have each got a "SSSS" on our boarding pass - one of us at each of the 3 trips.
It seems that over the previous several years, I do not remember any one of us getting a SSSS.
I would have thought that our passport linked to our nexus card (and trusted traveler number with US CBP) would have decreased, not increased, the odds of getting that secondary inspection statement on our boarding pass.