Feb 9, 2024, 12:35 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Recent experiences with SSSS for the UA traveler?
Recent experiences with SSSS for the UA traveler {Archive}
Oct 18, 2017, 9:59 am
#136
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 183
I have GE and got SSSS recently in Brussels when I did a very weird itinerary. DEN-ORD-LHR-TLS-BRU-IAD-DEN. The week before I had done DEN-IAH-SCL-YYZ-DEN. I haven't seen it since but haven't been out of the country but suspect it won't be an issue going forward.
Last edited by Coskigirl; Oct 18, 2017 at 11:41 am Reason: Added detail for clarity
Oct 18, 2017, 9:59 am
#137
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Had the same thing happen a couple of weeks ago. Only change in travel pattern was a purchased one-way ticket to the Middle East 2 months ago. After dialog with GE (after the fact), the anecdotal feedback was that MIGHT of had an impact. No way to truly know however.
Oct 18, 2017, 10:01 am
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
I've gotten SSSS'd in FRA while being enrolled in Global Entry.
Neither of these are particularly relevant to SSSS.
Global Entry is not a status.
They're not intended or implemented to.
Global Entry working has nothing to do with SSSS.
There's no discord here. You've invented a link where there isn't and hasn't been one.
Neither of these are particularly relevant to SSSS.
There's no discord here. You've invented a link where there isn't and hasn't been one.
Oct 18, 2017, 4:30 pm
#140
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Most people on FT and those that have GE are traveling more, therefore if it is truly random, we probably get more than an average number of SSSS as we travel far more than others.
Oct 18, 2017, 4:57 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
got SSSS 3 times this year ex-Europe. It sucks. GE or not ... it happens.
Now, 1 time I was flying via the FCT in FRA
... it was inconsequential 
Now, 1 time I was flying via the FCT in FRA
... it was inconsequential
Oct 18, 2017, 6:55 pm
#142
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
I, too am in GE and am MM and have received an SSSS. I assume this is because there is more than one reason for getting it. In addition to the suspicion factors (e.g., one way cash ticket, etc.), it is only logical that at least some people are selected for SSSS just at random. This provides a control sample that allows TSA to evaluate whether its suspicion factors actually are indicative of a greater likelihood of finding contraband on a PAX. It is the same with the IRS. While most people are selected for an audit based on some suspicious figures on their 1040, there is a group that is selected simply at random. This is so that the IRS can determine whether tax returns that don't show any red flags are more or less likely to be accurate than ones that do show such flags.
Oct 18, 2017, 8:10 pm
#143
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Programs: UA Gold 1mm, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 662
My wife got the SSSS two weeks ago departing Bucharest. We were together. Both are 6 yr.+ GE, both million milers with identical travels. I did not get the SSSS. When we got back to States, she got the "X" on her GE form at the kiosk. CBP agent just initialed it and we were on our way. I think her SSSS was completely random and maybe the "X" at Global Entry was unrelated to the SSSS. Neither of us has ever gotten the SSSS traveling domestically.
Oct 18, 2017, 10:24 pm
#144
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Twice this calendar year: SSSS on both legs SIN-HKG-ORD. 4MM GS with GE.
It happens. Not happy, but better than getting it on domestic US flights.
It happens. Not happy, but better than getting it on domestic US flights.
Oct 18, 2017, 10:27 pm
#145
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Houston TX
Programs: United Premier 1k, Hertz Presidents Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 408
I got it at ZRH-EWR, they did additional screening at the gate but no difference at immigration or customs.
Oct 27, 2017, 5:38 am
#146
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Got it at GVA yesterday. A colleague also did. In both cases, it was our first return international trip after renewing TSA-Pre. Maybe that's coincidence.
About 10% of the flight got the SSSS.
About 10% of the flight got the SSSS.
Oct 27, 2017, 6:24 am
#147
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 397
Got SSSS on the TXL-EWR leg of a TXL-IAH flight, but not on the EWR-IAH leg.. The annoying thing was that SSSS apparently cancels out TSA Pre on following legs, so that I almost missed my connection in EWR due to getting stuck in the non-Pre line after customs.
Oct 27, 2017, 6:34 am
#148
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Even if a flight passenger mix were 10%, 20%, 30% GE/TSA PreCheck members, the fraction of the flight passengers flagged that way remains more or less the same. Being a new, old or renewed DHS program member doesn't change that.
Oct 27, 2017, 8:36 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
It is an observation. Nothing more, nothing less.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:53 pm
#150
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Did your BP on the app not show PC once you got to EWR or did you only use the paper one printed in Berlin?