The dreaded SSSS

[Flex-ible]

USAir is the worst about SSSS. I use my United number when I am on scareways, so I may never see it go away.

My expereince is well. The cooperative frequent flyer programs help build up the miles - but when you use the "wrong" frequent flyer number you get the SSSS.

 

[CX880]

I don't worry about SSSS since I'm on the airline side but If I'm jumpseating at random airports with historically shady TSA agents I just go through security in uniform and pull a superman into civilian clothes right after passing through.

 

[gutshotdraw]

I hate the TSA.. it is a total facade

When I get the SSSS and I'm traveling in uniform because I'm flying on the other end, I just stand there, smile, and shake my head as the TSA doofus rumages through my bag, runs a patch through the bomb sniffer, pats me down, and punches the ticket with the secret hole punch of the day. The look on other passenger's faces is classic.

I know it's a total waste of time but I love the TSA. Job security baby, job security. Our folks will stop traveling completely before they'll go back for the double bend-over from the Thousands Standing Around.

 

[johnsgra]

Book the ticket with the appropriate company ff # and then after through security have a gate agent change it for you. I always book usair with my usair # and then have them change it for me to a united number on the flip side.

 

[RightTraffic]

Avoid Kiosk

If you do not want to get Ss , go see a ticket agent because they can wave it if you are a crewmember with ID in uniform. But sometimes the lines are so long to see one, it will take just as long.

 

[Geronimo4497]

It has been my experience that if you are not 121, most ticket agents will not remove the SSSS. USairways in BOS will, but that seems to be the extent of it.

 

[Crobar]

I think it just depends on how well the lady likes you, or how good of mood she's in that day, some times you win sometimes you lose. I always statr with "my you look pretty", if theres not a chick working I skip it and accept the ssssssss'sss

 

[nomore]

Ssss

Show the SSSS ticket to the first line of TSA defense and they move you to a speedy line. Not everywhere but often enough, and the TSA person when they see my I.D. usually give a perfunctory pat down and off I go. At least when I had a job they did.

 

[bailout]

Im confused.. Do you guys actually show your boarding pass in the security lines? Never do, never had a problem. Yes even in DEN.

 

[Flex-ible]

Im confused.. Do you guys actually show your boarding pass in the security lines? Never do, never had a problem. Yes even in DEN.

A ticket agent suggested I try that once. Didn't work. I wound up getting stopped by the gate agent who said I could not get on because I didn't have the "secret stamp" from TSA. They called TSA - to the GATE - and did the secondary screening right there. Totally ridiculous!!

 

[414Flyer]

Oh god, this reminds me of when I was trying to jumpseat in uniform at MKE. I had gotten listed at the ticket counter and the boarding pass she printed up for me, has SSSS on it.

So I get in line (not sure if there was even a flight crew line then) and before the x-ray, they put me into this penalty box off to the side until they can actually search me. I sat there, and sat there. They just said they did not have time to get to me yet, and I told them I am just about to miss the flight I am listed on.

They TSA agent either did not care or did not understand what I am talking about. I told them I have now missed the flight I was listed for, and I need to go back and try and get listed. They told me I could not leave, until one of them could escort me back down, or until I was searched. So I missed my flight, and now I had to wait to leave the box, they had no one available to clear me through, and no one available to escort me back down.

Finally, a supervisor is around and I tell them what happened, and at least they let me leave their little SSSS penalty box so i can go back down and look for a flight again.

In hindsight, I could have probably not gotten listed at the ticket counter and gone right through security line, but was my first time to jumpseat again post 9/11 (this was 2005) and thought I needed something like a boarding pass or ticket to get through the security lines, when the ID probably would have been fine.

It was just still maddening to be stuck in their SSSS jail while I miss a flight, and then I cant get out of that jail to get listed onto another flight.

 

[tankerswede]

A ticket agent suggested I try that once. Didn't work. I wound up getting stopped by the gate agent who said I could not get on because I didn't have the "secret stamp" from TSA. They called TSA - to the GATE - and did the secondary screening right there. Totally ridiculous!!

I got the SSSS out of DEN, didn't show my pass, went through the crew line, and when I got to the gate they gave me a new boarding pass with no SSSS on it. In retrospect, they could probably have sent me back through security or had TSA come to the gate but in a moment of weakness they chose to be cool about it.

It seems that the FF# is helpful in keeping the SSSS off of the ticket, but in my case only if the company has made the reservation with the FF# included. For some reason, there are a few airlines where the company can't attach the FF# to the reservation. I have gone to the airline website and attached my number to the record locator but the Great TSA Threat Analysis Computer sees through such shallow trickery. Still got the SSSS.

 

[dash_trash]

Flying out of LIT one evening and couldn't print the boarding ticket at the hotel, so I know what was coming and traveld in uniform. Well, the TSA dude must either take a lot of pride in his job or be very new, because he spent 25-30 minutes on the pat down and bag check. He took every single item out of my suit case and my computer bag. He used a min. of 20 wipes ... camera, computer, mp3, etc. ... all cables for said devices ... shoes and a couple of new ones for me ... actually took my electric razon out and swiped it and the cord in addition to my contact saline solution bottle, and toothpaste. All while standing there in uniform.

Finished repacking my stuff about 10 minutes prior to departure.

Absolutely the worst experience ever.

 

[nomore]

Dash he wanted a date!

That fellow in AR was trying to seduce you Dash. You're such a handsome devil!

 

[dash_trash]

Well ... I did hear bango's playing in the background!