Many travelers have experienced the rush of navigating through an airport, silently praying for no hold-ups, all in hopes of finally sinking into their seat on the airplane.
However, a little-known fact is that a small code on your boarding pass could potentially turn an ordinary flight into a stressful experience, and in some cases, even prevent you from boarding your flight. Frequent flyers are now becoming more aware of this code.
This code is SSSS, which stands for ‘Secondary Security Screening Selection’. Though it may seem insignificant, these four letters are often dreaded by seasoned travelers. Having SSSS on your ticket indicates that you have been selected for additional security checks by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) when traveling to or from the United States.
According to Simple Flying, having the SSSS designation typically adds an extra 15 to 20 minutes to the security process; however, this can feel much longer for those selected.
Passengers subjected to this screening can anticipate having their bags thoroughly searched, their belongings swabbed, and even being asked to power on electronics to prove they function. This doesn’t imply any wrongdoing on your part, but it does mean airport security will be scrutinizing you more closely.
The TSA is not transparent about the criteria for selection. It is believed that factors such as last-minute one-way bookings, unusual travel routes, or flights from perceived high-risk countries can play a role.
However, for some individuals, the selection appears entirely random. A TikTok user recounted how their partner had to unpack everything from their bags while officers swabbed “absolutely everything” and even verified that his laptop would turn on.
In a previous report, others have shared more unsettling experiences. One person stated: “This happened to me the last time I flew out to see my best friend. The TSA scanned my phone and copied all my texts, app messages, pictures, etc.
“The whole thing was weird and violating, but I guess the TSA can enjoy all the close-up shots of weird pimples I can’t regularly see lol.”
Another traveler remarked: “I was flagged all the time because I used to fly solo before I turned 18.”
The frustration is compounded by the fact that it’s not merely about delays. If the extra security checks take too long, causing you to miss a boarding window, you might be prevented from flying. Unlike selecting a less favorable seat or boarding later due to your sequence number, you have no control over whether SSSS appears on your boarding pass.
As noted by HuffPost, while other details on your ticket — such as the SEQ number indicating your check-in order or the boarding group determining when you board — can influence your seating or boarding time, they won’t jeopardize your entire trip. The SSSS code, however, is a different matter entirely.
So, if you ever spot those four letters on your boarding pass, the best course of action is to arrive at the airport early and prepare yourself. This could mean the difference between an uneventful flight and one you might not take.