If you ever find yourself in a situation at the security checkpoint where you’re pulled aside by a TSA Agent for extra screening, don’t panic. This can happen for various reasons, including random selection, inconsistencies in your travel plans, items in your luggage that raise concerns or being on a watchlist. If you’re unsure why you were flagged, you can politely ask the TSA agent for clarification. However, it’s essential to follow their instructions and cooperate fully to avoid any delays or complications with your travel plans. In most cases, the additional screening is routine and shouldn’t cause significant disruptions to your journey.

It is likely that you have been flagged by TSA in advance for what it calls “Secondary Security Screening Selection,” also known as SSSS on your boarding ticket. The reasons for being selected for SSSS can vary and may include random selection, factors related to your travel history or specific criteria that raise security concerns. It’s not always clear why an individual is chosen for SSSS, but it’s part of the TSA’s efforts to enhance security measures and ensure the safety of air travel.

If you’re selected for SSSS, you’ll be directed to a separate screening area where TSA agents will conduct additional checks, which may include a thorough inspection of your belongings, enhanced pat-downs and further questioning about your travel plans. It’s important to cooperate fully with TSA agents during this process to avoid any delays or complications with your journey. While being selected for SSSS can be inconvenient, it’s a routine part of air travel security procedures.

If this happens to you, experts from Fodor’s Travel have outlined what passengers should do in case you’re flagged:

Reasons You May Be Flagged

When you purchase a plane ticket, the airlines ask you to submit your name, gender and 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 and different (unspecified) reasons can lead to getting flagged by TSA. Here are some reasons that are believed to get a person flagged on TSA’s Selectee List.

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 due to inconsistencies and/or inaccuracies in your documents.

What To Do if You Are Flagged with an SSSS

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.

However, 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.

FAQ

How Do You Know if You Are Flagged by CBP?

If you’re flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you may not receive direct notification that you’ve been flagged.However, there are several signs that could indicate that you’ve been flagged or are subject to additional scrutiny:

Extended Questioning: When entering the United States, CBP officers may ask you more questions than usual about your travel history, the purpose of your visit, your belongings, or other relevant topics. Extended questioning can be a sign that you’ve been flagged for further inspection.
Secondary Inspection: If you’re directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you’ve been flagged for additional scrutiny. In secondary inspection, CBP officers will conduct a more thorough examination of your documents, belongings, and potentially even your person.
NEXUS or Global Entry Issues: If you’re a member of trusted traveler programs like NEXUS or Global Entry and experience issues with your membership, such as being unable to use the automated kiosks or receiving notifications of membership suspension, it could indicate that you’ve been flagged by CBP.
Visa Issues: If you’re traveling on a visa, experiencing delays or denials when applying for visas, or encountering difficulties at the border related to your visa status, it could suggest that CBP has flagged you for further inspection.
Notification from CBP: In some cases, individuals may receive direct communication from CBP informing them that they’ve been flagged for additional scrutiny or that there are concerns about their travel history.

How Long Does Being Flagged Last?

There is usually no way to know how long being flagged will last. The duration of being flagged by TSA or CBP can vary widely depending on the circumstances and the reason for the flagging. In some cases, being flagged may only last for a single trip or a short period, while in other cases, it could persist for an extended period or even indefinitely. Security procedures and protocols can change over time, so what triggers a flagging today might not necessarily trigger it in the future. Additionally, security agencies periodically review their watchlists and procedures, so being flagged may not always have a fixed duration.

How Does a Passport Get Flagged?

Passports can get flagged for various reasons, primarily related to security concerns or issues with the traveler’s status or background. Here are some common ways a passport might get flagged:

Watchlists: Passport numbers may be flagged if they appear on watchlists maintained by national or international security agencies. These watchlists typically include individuals who are suspected of involvement in criminal activities, terrorism, or other security threats.
Visa Violations: If a traveler violates the terms of their visa or overstays their authorized period of stay in a country, their passport may be flagged to prevent them from re-entering or traveling to other countries.
Criminal Record: Passports may be flagged if the passport holder has a criminal record or is wanted for questioning or arrest by law enforcement authorities.
Fraudulent Activity: Passports may be flagged if there are suspicions of passport fraud, such as the use of counterfeit or altered documents.
Security Concerns: Passports may be flagged if there are concerns about the traveler’s associations, activities, or intentions that raise security concerns.

When a passport is flagged, this information is typically stored in databases maintained by immigration and border control agencies. When the passport is scanned at a border crossing or during the visa application process, alerts may be triggered, prompting further scrutiny or action by the authorities.

It’s important to note that the criteria for flagging passports and the procedures for handling flagged passports can vary between countries and between different agencies within a country. Additionally, being flagged does not necessarily mean that the passport holder is guilty of any wrongdoing; it may simply indicate that there are concerns that warrant closer attention by authorities.

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