The code SSSS on your boarding pass: what it means and why passengers never want to see it
"When you're traveling and you see the dreaded SSSS letters on your boarding pass, there's a good chance you'll face a delay at the airport. The SSSS code means that you have been selected for additional security screening.
Damien The Travel Tips Guy, who boasts almost 85 thousand subscribers on TikTok, explains in the video that SSSS stands for 'Secondary Security Screening Selection.' He also tells from his own experience which travelers may receive such a mark on their ticket," writes HuffPost.
"It's a little bit mysterious what triggers SSSS; the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) doesn't give a clear answer to that question," he says. - "However, they do have a system to detect red flags that require additional screening.
These red flags, Damien explains, can include the following:
- Traveling on a one-way ticket
- You purchased the ticket within 24 hours of departure
- You paid for the ticket in cash
According to Damien, the amount of additional screening can vary from using a metal detector to a more thorough baggage check.
Most passengers with the SSSS mark on their boarding passes are randomly selected. For most people, it's a one-time thing, but if it happens to you regularly, there are ways to challenge what's happening to you, explains a travel expert by contacting the Department of Homeland Security to request a review."
