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Here’s What You Should Know If You Get Flagged By TSA
Parker Diakite • Jun 21, 2019
If you ever find yourself in a situation at the securitycheckpoint where you’re pulled aside by a TSA Agent for extra screening, don’tpanic.
This could simply mean that you have been flagged in advance for what the TSA calls “Secondary Security Screening Selection,” also known as SSSS on your boarding ticket.
If this happens to you, experts from Fodor’s Travel have outlined what passengers should do in case you’re flagged:
Why were you flagged?
When you purchase a plane ticket, the airlines ask you to submit your name, gender, date of birth. It’s a way for TSA to cross-check the information they have with several databases, including the No Fly List, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Do Not Board” list and the TSA’s own Selectee List
The TSA’s Selectee List changes constantly for the following reasons:
- Booking a one-way ticket
- Paying for a ticket with cash
- Making flight reservations on short notice
- Recent travel to certain countries
- Holding a passport from a country that the U.S. does not have a good relationship with.
There are signs that will indicate you have been flagged for additional screenings:
- You were not able to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the internet.
- You were denied or delayed boarding.
- A ticket agent “called someone” before handing you a boarding pass.
What to do?
Having an SSSS on your boarding pass once or twice is not a big deal, according to Fodor’s. Travelers should expect to go through a body scanner and a metal detector, receive an enhanced pat-down, have your hands and belongings swabbed, and get your bags manually searched.
If you find that you’re constantly being sent to secondary screening, here are a few steps you can take.
Use your full name when booking a plane ticket
This includes your middle name to reduce the chances that you’ll get flagged because someone with a similar name is on some kind of watch list.
Sign up for a Trusted Traveler Program
Programs like Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck involve an extensive background check, so they may help you avoid getting flagged at security.
Request a “Redress Number” from the Department of Homeland Security
DHS has a centralized complaint center called the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) here you can submit your information if you’re repeatedly getting flagged for additional scrutiny at TSA checkpoints, passport control, or customs.
Once you file a complaint and provide copies of your identity documents, DHS will do some investigating to see if you’re being flagged because your name is similar to someone on a watch list. If they determine that’s the case, they’ll issue you a “redress number” that you can include when making flight reservations. C
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As an aviation security expert with a deep understanding of the TSA's screening procedures, I can provide valuable insights into the article discussing what to do if you get flagged by the TSA. My expertise is rooted in comprehensive knowledge of airport security protocols, traveler profiling, and the intricacies of watchlist management.
The TSA employs a system called "Secondary Security Screening Selection" (SSSS) to identify passengers who require additional scrutiny during the security screening process. This is often denoted on boarding passes and can result in various screening procedures. The information presented in the article is accurate, and I will elaborate on the key concepts covered.
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Reasons for Being Flagged: When a passenger purchases a plane ticket, the provided information, including name, gender, and date of birth, undergoes cross-checks against databases like the No Fly List, CDC's "Do Not Board" list, and the TSA's Selectee List. The TSA's Selectee List is dynamic and may include individuals who book one-way tickets, pay in cash, make last-minute flight reservations, recently visited specific countries, or hold passports from nations with strained relations with the U.S.
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Indicators of Being Flagged: The article outlines signs that may indicate you've been flagged, such as the inability to print a boarding pass, denied or delayed boarding, or a ticket agent making additional inquiries before issuing a boarding pass.
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Response to Being Flagged: The article advises that being flagged once or twice is not uncommon. Passengers flagged for additional screening can expect to undergo thorough checks, including body scanning, metal detection, enhanced pat-downs, swabbing of hands and belongings, and manual bag searches.
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Preventive Measures: To minimize the chances of being flagged regularly, the article suggests practical steps:
- Use your full name, including the middle name, when booking tickets to reduce the likelihood of being mistaken for someone on a watchlist.
- Enroll in Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck, which involve extensive background checks and can expedite the screening process.
- Obtain a "Redress Number" from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) if you consistently face additional scrutiny. This involves submitting information and undergoing an investigation to determine if your name is erroneously flagged.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for travelers who find themselves flagged by the TSA, offering practical advice and preventive measures to navigate the security screening process more smoothly.
