Walt and Pam 2020!

[bhoffdhoff]

Am I stupid or what? What is the dreaded SSSS? I know it means extra security checks, but do they just pick people randomly?

[WaltVB]

You are not stupid. The computer that prints the boarding pass picks out folks "randomly" for extra screening. This can be prompted by a list of certain criteria but can include things like paying for your ticket in cash, last minute ticket purchase, etc. Instead of seeing nothing or TSA pre-check, security personnel see the SSSS on your boarding pass and initiate the extra screening protocols. Out of six flights this year it's only happened once, but it's been years since the last time I've had it happen.

[hatteras]

My hubby and I have both gotten the dreaded SSSS when leaving Aruba. I thought that it was completely random. We always use air miles or a credit card, but once or twice we've changed our flights because of snow storms just a few days before departure, so maybe that's why. Anyway, it's such a pain.

[bhoffdhoff]

You are not stupid. The computer that prints the boarding pass picks out folks "randomly" for extra screening. This can be prompted by a list of certain criteria but can include things like paying for your ticket in cash, last minute ticket purchase, etc. Instead of seeing nothing or TSA pre-check, security personnel see the SSSS on your boarding pass and initiate the extra screening protocols. Out of six flights this year it's only happened once, but it's been years since the last time I've had it happen.

OK. Thanks, Walt.

[cpjones]

Walt...thanks again for sharing a trip that went by way too fast.