What Does the Presence of the SSSS Inscription on the Boarding Pass Mean?
Recently, a friend of mine tried to print his boarding pass on his way back home from San Francisco and was having problems. No matter how many times he rebooted the Delta website or tried to check in on his phone, he kept getting a message that he would not be able to print his boarding pass. At the time, we chalked it up to a strange accident, but when he arrived at the airport, he found out the reason: he was selected for a secondary security check. This is why his boarding pass could not be printed, and when he did receive it, it bore “SSSS” on it.
SSSS stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection or Secondary Security Screening Selectee. Once selected, you will not be able to print your boarding pass at home or at one of the kiosks at the airport. Instead, you will need to obtain a badge at the front desk, where you will likely be asked a few questions about your plans in addition to verifying your ID.
There are many different reasons why you might get SSSS. A friend of mine is a travel writer, so he makes a number of trips that could probably be described as “unusual.” We assume that this is what brought him the honor this time. There is no official explanation for what makes the list, but some ideas are last-minute flights, international one-way fares, cash payments for flights, and travel that comes from a “high-risk country.” It can also happen by accident, and will definitely happen if you are on the watch list.
If you have an SSSS, when you approach the TSA queue, this machine, which the agency usually scans your pass, will beep to inform you that you were randomly selected for additional verification. Some frequently selected SSSS even suggest just going to the priority safety lane and letting them know, rather than waiting in the general safety line just to be pulled out when you get to the front.
From there, you will often be taken to your safety line, where, in fact, you will go through the whole range of safety checks. Based on internet accounts, the experience may be slightly different, but you may have to go through a metal detector and a body scanner, sometimes twice, and also get a full body exam. Your carry-on baggage will be very carefully checked by the security service and wiped off for explosive residues. You will also need to turn on all of your electronics, so make sure they are charged.
When all is said and done, the TSA will fill out the form and then stamp your boarding pass saying that you are okay. When you arrive at the boarding gate, this alarm will go off again and the agent at the entrance will make sure you have the correct stamp and signature on your pass before allowing you to board.
The entire process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, so if you end up unable to print your boarding pass at home, you need to make sure you arrive at the airport too early for your flight. It is also (obviously) beneficial for you to easily pack your things and let everyone else in your group go through security without you (otherwise they might also get involved in the whole process).
It is not uncommon for everyone to get it from time to time. If you find this is happening frequently, tryapplying for a hotfix number . This process is specifically designed for travelers who are repeatedly screened for additional screening, indicating that they may be accidentally placed on a watchlist looking to have their file corrected by the Department of Homeland Security.
This story was originally published on 09/17/17 and updated on 06/19/19.