What is SSSS on a AA Boarding Pass

[serfty]

If you get the SSSS be prepared. Just be pleasant and relaxed; don't make any jokes. They'll vaccuum you and your carryon, inside and out (the carryon that is, not you ) as well as inspecting your carryon contents.

My AA Experiences last month:

SYD-LAX (BP by Qantas in SYD); no SSSS
LAX-DFW (BP by Qantas in SYD); no SSSS
DFW-SEA (BP by AA in DFW); SSSS
SEA-DFW (BP by AA in SEA); SSSS
DFW-ANC (BP by AA in DFW); SSSS
ANC-DFW (BP by AA in ANC); SSSS
DFW-JFK (BP by AA in ANC); no SSSS

The best thing to do is try to get to the Airport 20-30 earlier than you normally would; it appears the main cause of angst with the SSSS comes from PAX running late for their flight. Of course having airline lounge access make this more palatable.

 

[Alan in CBR]

When I travelled as a QF no status and later as a QF low status FF I got SSSS close on 100% of the time (only exception I can think of was when flying BA from IAD to LHR).

Since shifting to AA and flying as a Plat and ExecPlat I have been selected for SSSS 0%.

I know that the plural of anecdote is not data, but still ...

Mind you, when I was receiving regular SSSS attention it really wasn't that big a deal - I always allow tons of time at airports in the LOTFAP. The only time it really bothered me was when they used to do the secondary searches at the gate during boarding. By the time they had finished the secondary, all the Economy overhead locker space was almost certain to have been taken. Luckily they've stopped doing it like that now - at least at the US airports I use (don't know about the others).

 

[alect]

When I travelled as a QF no status and later as a QF low status FF I got SSSS close on 100% of the time (only exception I can think of was when flying BA from IAD to LHR).

Since shifting to AA and flying as a Plat and ExecPlat I have been selected for SSSS 0%.

Exactly my experience - AA flight as QF WP SSSS = 90-100%; AA flights as PLT/EXP SSSS = 0%

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Not my experience. With QF and various *A status, mostly no SSSS.

 

[FlyFirst]

Hi all

Can agree with most of the anecdotal (or is it factual??) reasons for getting SSSSed. Back in 2004 I was flying 12 times a year to the States form London, each time with connecting services from Chicago to other ports.

At the beginning of the year, my tickets were booked through AA.com via their UK office. For some reason, I would ring them and enter my QF FF number, but it never 'took' in the system (ie - I couldn't, by virtue of my status, get access automatically to exit row seating etc etc, and BP printing out as zone 2/3 or 4 intstead of zone 1).

On a lot of these flights (not the international ones), I got SSSSed.

Also at the beginning of 2004 I travelled some internal USA flights which had been booked and paid for in the States, or were as a result of cancelled flights on AA necessitating me to book one-way flights on other carriers to meet my international sectors. All of these flights were SSSSed.

About 1/3 the way into 2004 I would book my flights through AA.com, but then ring the States to get my QF FF card number entered. Doing it this way made sure the FF number and status 'took' to the booking (and I could get exit seats and the BP printed in zone 1 automatically). Surprise surprise - no more SSSSs!

And in fact I have had none since (maybe I'm now on the OK list??).

Also interesting to note that a recent one way flight in the States also didn't SSSS (this was on Southwest).

Unlike many Americans - I really have no problem with the process - I would rather have a bit more time taken at the airport for a thorough search than risk on on-board incident. The SSSS also worked to my advantage one time in Tampa where the regular security lines were running at about a 30 min queue time, but the SSSS line was empty - got through way before anyone else.

Regards

FlyFirst.

 

[drron]

In Germany some years ago they only used SSS.I used to get this and remember at JFK Getting the full body search at security before checkin,at the normal security and again at the gate.However since they have introduced the camera and fingerprints it no longer happens to me.I am not sure why but it certainly happens frequently to holders of Aussie passports.And I thought we were friends?

 

[serfty]

OT: As distinct from th SS?

In Germany some years ago they only used SSS. ...

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