Here's What to Expect if You See SSSS on Your Boarding Pass

Your boarding pass is a bit like a lottery ticket when it comes to how much time you’ll spend going through security. Get randomly assigned TSA PreCheck and you win! You’ll fly through security. But if you get the dreaded “SSSS” mark on your boarding pass, expect your security check to be a lot more involved.

What does SSSS mean on your boarding pass?

Seeing the letters “SSSS” in the corner of your boarding pass indicates you’ve been chosen for “Secondary Security Screening Selection.” This is a prescreening selection that’s part of the Secure Flight Program administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and it means you’ll need to undergo a variety of additional security measures before boarding.

You won’t know if you have an SSSS designation until you get to the airport, since you’ll be unable to print your boarding pass ahead of your arrival if you’ve been selected. You can be chosen for any flight arriving in, departing out of, or connecting through a U.S. airport.

Why might you be flagged for SSSS?

The TSA won’t tell you why you’ve been selected for extra screening and also doesn’t provide official information on the reasons for selection. But many sources indicate that you may be selected for suspicious flight patterns, such as one-way international flights; last-minute bookings; or traveling from a country deemed “high-risk.” Avoid paying for airfare with cash, since it’s possible that this might get you flagged as well.

But sometimes, your selection might be completely random. If this happens to you, stay calm, be patient, and learn what to expect to make the experience more manageable.

What to expect if you have SSSS on your boarding pass

After showing the security agent your ID and boarding pass, you’ll be directed to another agent or team of agents who will begin the screening procedures. You’ll be able to cut the rest of the line from there.

Not all searches are alike, but you can expect to go through a metal detector and full-body scanner, sometimes multiple times, before receiving a complete pat-down. You can request to have this done in private if you’ll be more comfortable.

The lengthiest part of the process will involve the TSA agents inspecting everything you’ve brought with you. They’ll also swab both your items and hands in order to detect any explosive residue. You might also be asked to turn on your electronics.

The entire process can take 10 to 30 minutes — sometimes longer — which is why it’s always a good idea to arrive early and allow plenty of extra time.

FAQs

Keep calm and travel on

A delay due to extra security screenings can cost you time and money, but that doesn’t mean you should panic if you see SSSS on your boarding pass. Always allow plenty of time to navigate through security, especially if you have difficulty printing your boarding pass prior to arrival at the airport.

And remember to stay positive and cooperate with the TSA agents, who are just doing their jobs to try to ensure the safety of all travelers. Unfortunately, even choosing the best credit cards for your travel tickets can't save you from this process. Hopefully, you’ll arrive at your destination without any hiccups, and your extensive security search will become a distant memory.

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