Why did I get the dreaded SSSS despite my GE/Pre✓/Nexus status? [merged threads]
Mar 6, 2019, 7:08 pm
#346
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Had my first SSSS on my boarding pass couple weeks ago traveling MAD-MIA. It was a roundtrip ticket on AA as follows MIA-MAD-MIA. Only got it on the return. Had to problems with GE once back but in Madrid had to make an extra line once I got to the gate and they basically swabbed all of my electronics, me my bags etc. They said it was totally a random percentage of the plane they select. I thought maybe because its my second trip to Madrid in about 2 months and I don't use my US passport once I arrive, I typically use my EU passport for entry and exit in Madrid and then my US passport for checking in and for GE once back on US soil.
Hopefully this is not a reoccurring theme. I don't have any more flights planned until April and that is to Grand Cayman, let's hope i don't get SSSS again. What are the odds this is recurring?
Hopefully this is not a reoccurring theme. I don't have any more flights planned until April and that is to Grand Cayman, let's hope i don't get SSSS again. What are the odds this is recurring?
Mar 18, 2019, 12:54 pm
#347
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Had my first SSSS flying TXL-FRA-SFO a few weeks ago. Thought it was random until I got it again this past weekend flying the same route. Both were the second half of roundtrip travel -- no issues on the outbound on either trip.
I have Global Entry, and in both instances my Trusted Traveler number was removed from the reservation, meaning I didn't have PreCheck when getting back to the US for my connection there.
Odd. I have some more international travel coming up this spring and really hope this doesn't continue...
I have Global Entry, and in both instances my Trusted Traveler number was removed from the reservation, meaning I didn't have PreCheck when getting back to the US for my connection there.
Odd. I have some more international travel coming up this spring and really hope this doesn't continue...
Mar 18, 2019, 1:39 pm
#348
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Had my first SSSS flying TXL-FRA-SFO a few weeks ago. Thought it was random until I got it again this past weekend flying the same route. Both were the second half of roundtrip travel -- no issues on the outbound on either trip.
I have Global Entry, and in both instances my Trusted Traveler number was removed from the reservation, meaning I didn't have PreCheck when getting back to the US for my connection there.
Odd. I have some more international travel coming up this spring and really hope this doesn't continue...
I have Global Entry, and in both instances my Trusted Traveler number was removed from the reservation, meaning I didn't have PreCheck when getting back to the US for my connection there.
Odd. I have some more international travel coming up this spring and really hope this doesn't continue...
Last edited by TWA884; Jul 26, 2019 at 9:08 am
Mar 20, 2019, 1:44 pm
#349
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: M&M Senator
Posts: 316
I have had GE for at least 8 years. During that period all was hunky dory. Until now.
In the last six months I have received the SSSS for my FRA connection 2 out of 3 times. I am flying into and out of the same EU member nation airport. I am not travelling outside the EU.
The first time the check was reasonable. This last time it was horrendous. To be clear I only travel with carryon luggage. I pack my clothing in clear plastic bags and there was nothing stiff, rigid, bulky, or hard in there. Yet the prison matron zipped each bag open and felt each item. I wanted to ask if she got off on colored underwear. Then she proceeded to do the same with my clear toiletries case, pawing through everything - even though nothing was over 3 oz. and there were no powders. She then proceeded to take each shoe and inspect it inside and mash it around, twisting it every way. She also did this to the shoes I was wearing. After that she physically palpated and swabbed me.
Now, did I tell you that she never put on clean gloves when she started with my luggage? So you may understand why I am throwing out the toothbrush that she inspected with the gloved hands that had just finished mashing the soles of the previous traveller's shoes.
And yes, my Known Traveler number was entered into the reservation.
In the last six months I have received the SSSS for my FRA connection 2 out of 3 times. I am flying into and out of the same EU member nation airport. I am not travelling outside the EU.
The first time the check was reasonable. This last time it was horrendous. To be clear I only travel with carryon luggage. I pack my clothing in clear plastic bags and there was nothing stiff, rigid, bulky, or hard in there. Yet the prison matron zipped each bag open and felt each item. I wanted to ask if she got off on colored underwear. Then she proceeded to do the same with my clear toiletries case, pawing through everything - even though nothing was over 3 oz. and there were no powders. She then proceeded to take each shoe and inspect it inside and mash it around, twisting it every way. She also did this to the shoes I was wearing. After that she physically palpated and swabbed me.
Now, did I tell you that she never put on clean gloves when she started with my luggage? So you may understand why I am throwing out the toothbrush that she inspected with the gloved hands that had just finished mashing the soles of the previous traveller's shoes.
And yes, my Known Traveler number was entered into the reservation.
Apr 3, 2019, 1:24 pm
#351
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
one guaranteed way to get SSSS is to book one way tickets to Turkey. I did this 2 years ago when i went on a trip to Turkey and India. I had purchased different one ways from IAH to IST, then on to India and eventually back to IAH via Newark. My wife and I along with our 16 year old daughter got the dreaded SSSS. My two younger kids were unaffected. My connection back from EWR to IAH was my first SSSS which almost caused me to miss the connection. I had SSSS for about 4 months afterwards. This was a miserable experience when travelling with kids. I finally applied for a redress number which cleared it up. FYI all of us are Global Entry which doesn't seem to matter. I will say that the redress system works great. But best to avoid one way flights to Turkey if possible. I believe they are trying to screen for ISIS.
Apr 3, 2019, 4:00 pm
#352
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: GAI
Programs: TK *G, all statuses that come with Ritz, Amex Plat, Citi Prestige cards
Posts: 364
Probably not a 100% guarantee, but I can personally confirm that as of yesterday this is still going on. One way tickets from to and from IST, both purchased within two weeks of departure = SSSS and soft secondary on arrival.
Jun 28, 2019, 10:39 pm
#353
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 194
GE member since January of ‘18. Flown 40-50 domestic segments since and had no issues receiving pre check on any of them.
That said, since then, three of my four international trips have had SSSS portions, all on the return leg from Europe.
First was LHR-PHL-BOS on AA (one-way award ticket).
Second was OSL-LHR-BOS on BA (Multi-City ticket but all on same PNR-First part was BOS-MAD-ARN)
Third, today, was MXP-BCN-BOS on Vueling/Iberia (one way ticket as I used an AA award on the outbound DFW-LHR-MXP).
The only returning international leg I haven’t been SSSS’d on since getting GE was a PVR-DTW-BOS trip on Delta.
After reading through this thread, I’m thinking that my issues are largely because of my one-ways and odd itineraries. Problem is, all of my international travel at this time is for pleasure and I use my miles from domestic business travel to “cash-in.” Hence, I often only have enough miles for a one-way and am forced to buy a one-way. Oh well-first world problems.
That said, since then, three of my four international trips have had SSSS portions, all on the return leg from Europe.
First was LHR-PHL-BOS on AA (one-way award ticket).
Second was OSL-LHR-BOS on BA (Multi-City ticket but all on same PNR-First part was BOS-MAD-ARN)
Third, today, was MXP-BCN-BOS on Vueling/Iberia (one way ticket as I used an AA award on the outbound DFW-LHR-MXP).
The only returning international leg I haven’t been SSSS’d on since getting GE was a PVR-DTW-BOS trip on Delta.
After reading through this thread, I’m thinking that my issues are largely because of my one-ways and odd itineraries. Problem is, all of my international travel at this time is for pleasure and I use my miles from domestic business travel to “cash-in.” Hence, I often only have enough miles for a one-way and am forced to buy a one-way. Oh well-first world problems.
Jun 30, 2019, 3:27 am
#354
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
GE member since January of ‘18. Flown 40-50 domestic segments since and had no issues receiving pre check on any of them.
That said, since then, three of my four international trips have had SSSS portions, all on the return leg from Europe.
First was LHR-PHL-BOS on AA (one-way award ticket).
Second was OSL-LHR-BOS on BA (Multi-City ticket but all on same PNR-First part was BOS-MAD-ARN)
Third, today, was MXP-BCN-BOS on Vueling/Iberia (one way ticket as I used an AA award on the outbound DFW-LHR-MXP).
The only returning international leg I haven’t been SSSS’d on since getting GE was a PVR-DTW-BOS trip on Delta.
After reading through this thread, I’m thinking that my issues are largely because of my one-ways and odd itineraries. Problem is, all of my international travel at this time is for pleasure and I use my miles from domestic business travel to “cash-in.” Hence, I often only have enough miles for a one-way and am forced to buy a one-way. Oh well-first world problems.
That said, since then, three of my four international trips have had SSSS portions, all on the return leg from Europe.
First was LHR-PHL-BOS on AA (one-way award ticket).
Second was OSL-LHR-BOS on BA (Multi-City ticket but all on same PNR-First part was BOS-MAD-ARN)
Third, today, was MXP-BCN-BOS on Vueling/Iberia (one way ticket as I used an AA award on the outbound DFW-LHR-MXP).
The only returning international leg I haven’t been SSSS’d on since getting GE was a PVR-DTW-BOS trip on Delta.
After reading through this thread, I’m thinking that my issues are largely because of my one-ways and odd itineraries. Problem is, all of my international travel at this time is for pleasure and I use my miles from domestic business travel to “cash-in.” Hence, I often only have enough miles for a one-way and am forced to buy a one-way. Oh well-first world problems.
The silver lining is that SSSS from international stations usually isn't too huge of an inconvenience.
Jun 30, 2019, 8:16 am
#355
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
Yep, it's driven by all the one-ways. Of note, the system each carrier uses to determine SSSS allocations only considers that carrier's flights on your booking - so flying IB on the outbound means that BA's system thinks that you were on a one-way OSL-BOS.
The silver lining is that SSSS from international stations usually isn't too huge of an inconvenience.
The silver lining is that SSSS from international stations usually isn't too huge of an inconvenience.
You book with AA flying DFW-LHR RT flying BA on return. AA creates a PNR in their system that is the main PNR in which all changes must be done. In general AA will then create the BA PNR with all segments listed. When you checkin with BA for return their system will see that you had a flight on AA outbound.
Why send all flights? Its cause the other airline generally needs to know if there are other flights. If you booked SAT-DFW-LHR RT with BA for the LHR segments, BA needs to know about the AA segments. Outbound it helps ot let them know if you're delayed, misconnecting, no-shows, etc. On return it needs to know of all segments to be able to do things like check bags.
Jun 30, 2019, 10:05 am
#356
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Yep, it's driven by all the one-ways. Of note, the system each carrier uses to determine SSSS allocations only considers that carrier's flights on your booking - so flying IB on the outbound means that BA's system thinks that you were on a one-way OSL-BOS.
The silver lining is that SSSS from international stations usually isn't too huge of an inconvenience.
The silver lining is that SSSS from international stations usually isn't too huge of an inconvenience.
The SSSS hits for me have been mainly airline security contractor system driven. As more and more airlines are kicking back PreCheck boarding passes for me outside of the US too, my chances of getting hit by SSSS have dropped. Getting PreCheck on a boarding pass for a US-bound flight is mutually exclusive to getting SSSS on a boarding pass. This is all practical experience that can help inform others that one-way tickets to the US are no longer as much of a flag to airlines, contractors and the government as they used to be and doesn’t drive being selected for SSSS as much as it used to do.
Jun 30, 2019, 2:24 pm
#357
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
This isn't correct. The system looks at what is in the PNR in their system. However most times that PNR will list all legs just like the parent PNR As long as the IB segments show in the BA PNR then it sees it as a RT.
You book with AA flying DFW-LHR RT flying BA on return. AA creates a PNR in their system that is the main PNR in which all changes must be done. In general AA will then create the BA PNR with all segments listed. When you checkin with BA for return their system will see that you had a flight on AA outbound.
Why send all flights? Its cause the other airline generally needs to know if there are other flights. If you booked SAT-DFW-LHR RT with BA for the LHR segments, BA needs to know about the AA segments. Outbound it helps ot let them know if you're delayed, misconnecting, no-shows, etc. On return it needs to know of all segments to be able to do things like check bags.
You book with AA flying DFW-LHR RT flying BA on return. AA creates a PNR in their system that is the main PNR in which all changes must be done. In general AA will then create the BA PNR with all segments listed. When you checkin with BA for return their system will see that you had a flight on AA outbound.
Why send all flights? Its cause the other airline generally needs to know if there are other flights. If you booked SAT-DFW-LHR RT with BA for the LHR segments, BA needs to know about the AA segments. Outbound it helps ot let them know if you're delayed, misconnecting, no-shows, etc. On return it needs to know of all segments to be able to do things like check bags.
However, for the purposes of submitting secureflight data, there is a "one way" and "round trip" flag that is selected based on the itinerary information. In all the implementations I've seen, only the operating carrier's flights are considered when selecting this flag.
In my personal experience as well, 23 out of my 26 flights to the US in the past year have been SSSSed, mostly on one-way or multi-carrier open jaw tickets. NEXUS hasn't helped at all.
Jun 30, 2019, 4:31 pm
#358
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During my GE membership era, most of my SSSS hits for TATL flying to the US involved AA (primarily when connecting via LHR). That was also the case for me before my GE membership era.
Of my intra-continental/intra-Americas flights to the US with SSSS, most have been with DL. But my SSSS hits with DL have been far and few between. For many years now, none of my SSSS hits have been on TATL flights to the US with DL. I don’t connect to LHR to take DL flights.
I rarely have gotten SSSS hits when flying TATL to the US on Star Alliance carries. LX has gotten me a few times with SSSS, but that’s been sporadic.
The SSSS hits have been more on my roundtrip itineraries than one-way itineraries. The vast majority of my travel is on one-way tickets. Only when doing one-way EU-LHR-US trips involving AA have I ever had back to back SSSS hits on the way to the US.
Jun 30, 2019, 4:39 pm
#359
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Do you recall which airlines and from where you were flying those 23 times that came with SSSS hits and how they broke down by carrier and continental gateway city for the US-bound planes?
During my GE membership era, most of my SSSS hits for TATL flying to the US involved AA (primarily when connecting via LHR). That was also the case for me before my GE membership era.
Of my intra-continental/intra-Americas flights to the US with SSSS, most have been with DL. But my SSSS hits with DL have been far and few between. For many years now, none of my SSSS hits have been on TATL flights to the US with DL. I don’t connect to LHR to take DL flights.
I rarely have gotten SSSS hits when flying TATL to the US on Star Alliance carries. LX has gotten me a few times with SSSS, but that’s been sporadic.
The SSSS hits have been more on my roundtrip itineraries than one-way itineraries. The vast majority of my travel is on one-way tickets. Only when doing one-way EU-LHR-US trips involving AA have I ever had back to back SSSS hits on the way to the US.
SSSSed at:
UA-PVG
UA-PEK
UA-FRA
UA-HKG
UA-HNL (UA154 is an "international" flight to GUM)
BR-TPE
NH-HND
BA-LCY
BA-LHR
TK-IST x4
AC-YYZ
AC-YVR x2
AC-YUL
AS-MEX
AS-SJO
AI-DEL x2
ET-ADD
EK-DXB
Not SSSSed at:
OZ-ICN
CA-PEK
EI-DUB
Jun 30, 2019, 4:56 pm
#360
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
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Posts: 20,654