Why you don’t want to see “SSSS” on your boarding pass
A man has explained what happens at the airport when “SSSS” is stamped on a boarding pass.
Stewart Jackson, from London attempted to check-in online for his New York bound flight to see his girlfriend.
After several attempts, Stewart decided it would be okay if he went to the airport early and check-in there.
While lining up, the stewardess asked passengers whether they had all their information ready to which he informed her that he was unable to complete his check-in.
She took him to the side and checked his boarding pass before informing him that he was randomly selected for additional security screening.
The code SSSS stands for “Secondary Security Screening Selection” and is usually done on inbound flights to the USA.
“She assured me this was nothing to worry about and was purely random. It would be a search at the London end of the journey before boarding and not in New York as I’d initially feared,” Stewart said.
When the screening takes place, an officer will look at the luggage, the passenger will be patted down, a swab for explosives will be conducted in the bags as well.
The passenger may be asked to provide further identification and explain the reasoning for their travels.
“This all happened in the waiting area before we actually boarded, so it didn’t delay me getting on the plane.”
Image: Shutterstock