Four Letters No New Yorker Wants To See on Their Boarding Pass

When it comes to flying, there's one thing that seasoned travelers will tell you that sends a shiver down their spine: spotting "SSSS" printed on their boarding pass.

This seemingly innocent code signifies a world of inconvenience and heightened security measures that can turn a routine travel experience into a nightmare.

The Dreaded SSSS Code

"SSSS" stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, and it is a designation by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that flags passengers for additional security screening.

"SSSS" printed on your boarding pass means that you can expect your airport security experience to become much more intense and time-consuming.

What to Expect

People who are tagged for SSSS can be subjected to a variety of extra security measures, ranging from unpacking personal items for manual searches to swabbing and testing of electronic devices.

This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour or more, significantly delaying the overall security process and causing added stress for the traveler.

The Mystery Behind SSSS

The criteria for being selected for SSSS remain undisclosed because to reveal would be to help people with malicious intentions to evade detection.

While there are speculations that passengers with unusual travel patterns or those heading to high-risk destinations are more likely to receive the SSSS designation, it is also possible that the selection process is random.

Seeking Redress

If you find yourself repeatedly marked with SSSS on your boarding pass, there is recourse through the Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). By applying to the program, you may have the opportunity to address any underlying issues that led to their frequent selection for extra security screenings, providing some relief from the recurrent inconvenience.