Quantcast

TSA's 'SSSS': Understanding secondary security screenings at airports

Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
TSA's 'SSSS': Understanding secondary security screenings at airports
Policy
Webp ha 3
Ha Nguyen McNeill Deputy Administrator | Transportation Security Administration

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employs a random and layered security measure known as "Secondary Security Screening Selection" or "SSSS." This additional screening is part of the TSA's Secure Flight program, which uses passengers' personal information to distinguish between high-risk and low-risk travelers. According to the TSA, "movements of large amounts of cash through the checkpoint may be investigated by law enforcement authorities if criminal activity is suspected."

Passengers marked for SSSS undergo further checks based on various factors, including travel history or itinerary anomalies such as one-way tickets or using multiple passports. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports this process with data from agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and others.

Some passengers experience repeated SSSS screenings due to their names resembling those on the No-Fly List. To resolve such issues, travelers can apply for the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). Upon approval, a redress control number is provided to help avoid future SSSS designations.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Natalie B. Compton of The Washington Post notes that experiences with SSSS vary widely among travelers. Despite occasional inconveniences, most enhanced search scenarios are brief. Travelers can expedite airport processes by enrolling in programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

In 2009, Papers Please! reported an incident where a traveler was detained due to unclear scanner images involving cash. The TSA has since updated its protocols but maintains that cooperation during screenings is essential.

The TSA screens over 2 million passengers daily across 440 federalized airports in the United States. With more than 50,000 transportation security officers and significant investments in technology like CT X-ray scanners, the agency continues to enhance its security measures.

For individuals facing ongoing screening challenges without cause, applying for TRIP might provide relief. In all cases, remaining calm and cooperative during secondary screenings is advised.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025

British Airways is the leading foreign long-haul airline serving the United States.

Jun 5, 2025

United Airlines has completed a deal with the Chicago Department of Aviation to acquire five additional gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Jun 5, 2025

Boeing has reached a production milestone, achieving a monthly output of 38 737 MAX aircraft for the first time since 2020.

Jun 5, 2025