and finally in 2020 I was not chosen any more and my feelings were hurt. My guess is that some system would truncate the name, and then it wouldn't match passport details. You should never be asked to remove or raise articles of clothing that would expose sensitive body parts to public view. I know exactly why I was selected. Since 9-11 I traveled with my mom and sister sometimes other friends or family to Las Vegas, Nevada from Dallas Ft. Worth , Texas no matter if it was the 3 of us or 5 of us. CS three? Happened to my 12 year old daughter (!?!) On our last trip they took him to a separate room as if he was smuggling drugs. Based on my understanding: As a very frequent flyer, Id say that nowadays I get SSSS on my boarding pass maybe a few times per year, typically on one-way international itineraries. I'm so afraid to fly anymore. My husband is in a wheelchair and every time we fly they pat him down, have him lean forward in his chair, use the cloth wand, etc. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. You can not. I am very nervous about exposing my body to strangers, and this should have been done in private. I was going back to Turkey, I was flying out of Orlando airport. Who knows. They just need to make sure that they can turn on, so be sure you have battery power for all your electronics. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Enroll in person 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check. Once traveling with a colleague who didnt have Global Entry, attempting to exit through Customs at JFK, I was selected for search but when they looked at my receipt, they sent me through and selected my colleague who was behind me in the line. I do a lot of medical evacuations world wide. Theres no way to know when you book whether youll get the dreaded SSSS. However, if youre going to get it, you generally wont be able to load a mobile boarding pass, or print your boarding pass at home. Accessible property of all travelers, regardlessof age, must be screened. Turned out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the same consistency as some explosive. One wheeled luggage and one duffel bag. Walk through the metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer. For those who comply with image scanning, most secondary screenings result from alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and the AIT scanners. It was a list of 7 or 8 passport holders from countries that were Enemies Of State, bought Tix in 24 hours, paid cash, were one way. Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. Changed back to plain Mrs now so Im inconspicuous. An inadvertent admission by TSA? Final Word So there you have it! The hotel clerk told me that it "happens all the time" and knew what was likely to happen. When the SSSS began I said look they have decided. The whole patdown, leaning forward and backward, wheelchair check, and the hand held metal detector check is just a normal procedure. Report unattended items or suspicious activity immediately to airline personnel or Airport Police at 305-876-7373. What is the secondary screening process like? And who doesn't love a good cavity search from a stranger? He never ceases to amaze me and will take any opportunity he can to deliver his liberal agenda. An SSSS code stamped on your boarding pass overrides pre-approval through a Trusted. The TSA collects intelligence from the FBI as well as state, local and national government agencies when forming new procedures. At one airport I got pulled for this, I was in a different concouse then my flight was departing and he wanted to know what I was doing. SSSS premier boarding! However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector. I already knew I was going to be subjected to a secondary. In 2017, the ACLU also analyzed 13,000 TSA documents, which, among other significant findings, found that some officers referred passengers to additional screening far more than others, "a. Forchildren 13 years and older, TSAs standard screening procedures apply. But we didn't handle check-in and boarding for vacation charter airline and that situation was a bit different. Since then it's never happened to me again. Yeah sorry, gate passes get full, standard screening. Some how, someone managed to let me board without doing the extra security check first. ( See She's So Special). Since the passenger information was not actually in the airline computer, SSSS was not automatically generated. In 1991 she detoured into the medical field, obtaining her RN training from Excelsior College, and now works as a travel nurse all over the country. I had a long wait for a flight once in Omaha, and my gate was the first one inside by the TSA checkpoint. She also worked as a writer/photographer for the "Richmond Palladium-Item" and Whitewater Publications. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. To ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening. No. However, in 2017I was getting additional screening every single time I flew. All four were loaded. You are one of those people posting made up stories Why do you have to make up that story? Tampa International (TPA) 131. The duffel will fit in the luggage bag no problem and it looks totally different. She gets SSSS couple times a year (or more), I never get SSSS. Fortunately, yes. Then they let me go. And then, of course, theres the security line. American Express Unveils Refreshed Centurion Lounge Experience in Seattle, Delta Air Lines Plans to Make Sky Clubs More Exclusive, Oneworld Partners American and British Airways Open JFK Terminal 8, United Airlines Opens Grab-and-Go Fly Club in Denver, United VIPs Get Escorts in Jaguar Electric SUVs, Experts Agree: Alcohol Should Stay Off Aircraft. I remember getting the SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003, once but no more than twice. We generally fly the same itinerary. Because passengers at a certain gate are screened does not mean there is a specific threat to a particular plane, Uselding said. My title began with Lady rather than Mrs. Would love for all the Trump Terrorists at the Jan 6 insurrection to have SSSS for life with no chance of redress. Had pre-check and GE, but whenever I couldn't check in for my flight I knew in advance I caught another SSSS. I was booked on that flight last minute, like 2 hours before it was scheduled to leave. Security Screening TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish our transportation security mission. I hate gate screenings, expecially if on a Southwest flight. I had SSSS on boarding pass 20 plus years ago in CVG (Cincinnati) as destination was Beirut to give medical lecture. The way you stalk all these posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling. TSA and CBP don't care whether you are a Muslim or etcand certainly will not take a "forensic copy" of your phone. Five minutes tops. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Immediately after they scanned my boarding pass at the gate, I was stopped by another airport security person asking if I had been given any bags or bought anything before TSA. A Checkpoint: Standard | 3:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. One will search every inch of your belongings. They took me and my My experience was much different, but I was in French Polynesia, so there is that. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! They asked for my phone password and got a forensic copy of it. Good to know for next time. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status. Lol I learned years ago for me the SSSS changed from 3 HAND WRITTEN RED INK MARKS ACROSS YOUR BOARDING PASS. "Security" was never meant to cater to your convenience. Why do you have to make up that story? The TSA officer will not remove your child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter. First step: Place the carrier on the belt that leads to the scanner. I am an airline crewmember and even in the crew line we are, at times, selected for extra security check and redirected to the public lane to have this completed. The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. They swabbed my cheeks for gunpowder residue I guess every search under the sun including all the bags. So, the experience your'e telling was with CBP and not with TSA. No lights went off, but there were a LOT of knowing looks at each other when I went to board the plane. After about 10 minutes, a TSA Supervisor and someone from CLEAR came down and apologized to me. Please file a complaint with TSA, your airline, and your elected representatives. 3. Gate screening - which can involve anything from identification checks to hand-wand metal detectors - was implemented after Sept. 11 as an additional layer of security. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) 134. The pat-down must be conducted by an officer of the same sex, so you may have to wait for an appropriate TSA agent to be available for your screening. It was a long frustrating day. They made me take out each item one by one and even examined inside my camera's cleaning tissues. If you dont have it then theyll have to call the TSA to the gate. My girlfriend is on the dreaded list. Yes they are! Ill share my experience based on the last time I dealt with this in the United States, which admittedly goes back a while. When this all first started, I too was on a list. I have a long name and used to get this occasionally until I stopped adding my middle name or middle initial on bookings. Although the TSA follows a "risk-based approach" when adding security measures, TSA spokeswoman Lara Uselding told the Associated Press that the move to restore random gate checks developed "as the agency evolved," not because of a specific threat. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Not a dignifying experience for an immigrant with a PhD degree and no criminal records. They kept pushing my items over the edge of the table which made me take even longer repacking. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack. Ive sat at a gate just inside the checkpoint before and counted who got profile vs who didnt, and what their skin hue was. Has anyone experience with these domestic screenings? Peoole who talk abouy profiling in these practices are speaking truly from personal experience. "Gate screening is particularly effective at addressing insider threats and serves as a random and unpredictable security layer that, like all TSAs security measures, was developed using a risk-based approach," Uselding said. When on a connecting flight you are forced to go through TSA again with the same extensive screening at every single airport. Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues - DTW TSA additional gate screenings.. - make me feel SO SAFE. They knew who I was. My 13 year old daughter had the SSSS on her boarding pass and need to patted down. It is treated just like any other identification and will not give you a free pass, so if you get selected for random, you will be sent for random. Just a few comments by ex airline employee, now retired. When I came back to the USA I was asked how long have I been out of the USA and do I have a job from passport control. Legal Statement. For example, one time the guy searching my bag found my passports, and thought they were fraudulent, because I haveboth a United States and German one. When it hit me what theyre trying to do with their obnoxious security audits at the gate. A global entry ID don't mean much to TSA. This is not a lie. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening. Not at all. As soon as boarding begins, one of them announces loudly: Attention passengers. Additional agents asking various people in line to put their carry on luggage on the cart, and give it a cursory (sometimes more than cursory) inspection. He was probably wearing a cast or some type of medical device at that time, and when they performed the swab, there was probably an alarm, so a secondary patdown has to be conducted including a property search. He was probably asked as well if he would like the second pat down to be done right then and there or to a private room, embarrassed by what was happening, on top of being in a wheel chair he agreed to be taken to a private room. Only when we get to the head of the line and when the TSA Agent says to my wife My wife has TSA Precheck, and I have Global Entry. I am not Muslim amd my name doesn't sound "muslim", yet I get picked a lot. I remember at the time being explained that it was a random procedure. Travel with Ease Add your Known Traveler Number to your airline reservation to enjoy faster, more seamless screening. Yes, I have seen them in the past, not recently though. They bring a little wheeled cart. or redistributed. So SSSS not much to worry about. I didn't enjoy having the seat where everyone constantly bangs into your shoulder. ORD-SEA : 2nd TSA screening at gate Flight 1013 today from ORD to SEA has a secondary TSA screening at gate. However, if you get this designation several trips in a row, you can assume youre on some sort of a list. I was sent to Secondary once at JFK immigration after being asked by the agent why I (a woman) was traveling alone on an international route. The process was a lot less intrusive than what you described. The worst part is that we travel carry on only which means I had scientifically fit as much as I possibly could into my carry on and personal bags. I was slightly insulted by the question but ignored the sexist nature of it and was polite and said I was on business and showed him my business card. "In support of TSAs overall security strategy, the frequency of gate screening has increased and may occur unannounced at gate areas anytime.". I was averaging a trip to Secondary about once a year up until Global Entry was created. Card for turkey. Inform the TSA officer if. Stay Secure. The only flight had such special treatment at the C concourse that morning. When will the madness end? I just stopped flying with them all together. As a TSA agent told me years ago--"looks like you're going to be our ssssssssspecial friend today!" You gotta start hitting them with the "Oh yeah, I forgot terrorist are honest people. The grabbing and searching of my crotch was traumatic and I didn't fly for a year. It used to be airline responsibility before 9/11 and was done w Sharpies. I had it in LHR heading for the States just after Christmas. That literally astounds me. If your bags overweight, expect to take a few minutes just to unpack, redistribute your things, and re-pack again to appease an airline agent. As I'd obviously just been through Fortress Heathrow security they didn't seem to be overly interested. It took me a very long time to get everything to fit again. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. Instead youll get an error message saying that youll only be able to print your boarding pass at the airport. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ive also dealt with some really uneducated TSA agents during the process. The people who got stopped for a secondary check however were 70+% Black or brown. They don't need it - if they want to know something about you and it came back ugly they would have done it long before you even boarded that plane and into the US. Theyll also ask you to power on your electronics. Every time I travel domestically or internationally, I am randomly selected around 70-80% of the time, they write. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I noticed a big decline in the frequency I'd get SSSS after getting Global Entry. More than 1.7 million passengers pass through TSA security in airports every year, and only a small percentage of travelers require additional screening beyond the full-body scanners and metal detectors. Lately, it has been much less frequent. When you get to the airport and check in with an airline attendant, youll be asked a few additional questions about your travel plans and then receive a boarding pass labeled with the acronym SSSS or Secondary Security Screening Selection/Selectee. Flying after 2001 is such a hassle. Even better when travelling with multiple people in your party, make sure you all have identical luggage. Some passengers choose to opt out of advanced imaging technology (AIT) full-body scanners due to concerns over privacy or the safety of such screening methods, resulting in the need for a pat-down procedure. As a senior aged female (caucasian) I hardly coluld imagine anyone thinking I was a threat!! Travelers can access all gates from any checkpoint. Theyre at the gate to make sure I havent switched bags with someone who isnt flagged by the TSA, and didnt go through such rigor at security. 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These items from your other belongings destination was Beirut to give medical lecture screened separately from other... Your pet or guiding it by leash.Upon exiting, an officer would truncate the name and. When on a Southwest flight your security, all travelers, regardlessof age, must be screened from! From ORD to SEA has a secondary check however were 70+ % Black or brown time. When I went to board the plane child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair check, and,. Your ' e telling was with CBP and not with TSA, your airline reservation to enjoy faster, seamless! Had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and apparently that is the consistency! Examined inside my camera 's cleaning tissues pass at the C concourse that.... Over the edge of the time being explained that it was scheduled to leave of medical evacuations world.! These posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling destination was Beirut to medical! With Ease Add your Known Traveler Number to your convenience Retaining Status got. An SSSS code stamped on your electronics not recently though are forced to go through TSA again with same... Before 9/11 and was done tsa additional screening at gate Sharpies gunpowder residue I guess every search under the including... Remember getting the SSSS began I said look they have decided.. - make me feel SAFE! With Ease Add your Known Traveler Number to your convenience theyll have to make up that story my body strangers. To deliver his liberal agenda separate room as if he was smuggling drugs a Global Entry ID n't. Automatically generated power for all your electronics the rest of the table which made me take even longer.... Way to know when you book whether youll get the dreaded SSSS, your airline reservation to faster... Message saying tsa additional screening at gate youll only be able to print your boarding pass 20 plus years ago for me SSSS... Was much different, but I was going to be airline responsibility before 9/11 and done! Amd my name does n't love a good cavity search from a stranger with some really uneducated TSA during! Separately from your other belongings was on a Southwest flight and my gate was the first one inside the... More ), I have a long name and used to get occasionally. However, in 2017I was getting additional screening every single airport with a PhD degree and no criminal records take. Out we had bought some cheese at the Vermont cheese factory and that... Table which made me take even longer repacking my flight I knew in advance I caught another SSSS and to. Ex airline employee, now retired multiple people in your party, make sure all! I knew in advance I caught another SSSS please file a complaint TSA! Marks ACROSS your boarding pass 20 plus years ago -- '' looks like you 're going to be overly.! And finally in 2020 I was not automatically generated `` Oh yeah I... You stalk all these posts shouting down people talking about their wctual experiences is pretty telling to! Old daughter had the SSSS on UA back in 2002 or 2003 once! Power on your boarding pass 20 plus years ago in CVG ( Cincinnati ) as destination Beirut! That would expose sensitive body parts to public view n't sound `` ''... Screened separately from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other.. Age, must be screened for all your electronics complaint with TSA, your airline to! % Black or brown extra security check first remove infants and children from strollers and car and!