Many people have experienced the unpleasant experience of having those four letters on their boarding pass and causing them anxiety as it can lead to delays in the boarding process and possible missed flights.
Its meaning is: Secondary Security Screening Selection
In U.S. airports, this nomenclature is a signal to security personnel that the passenger has been selected for additional screening measures of their documentation and belongings. Also referred to as an “enhanced” review.
How and why is this screening method added to a boarding pass?
When an airline ticket is booked, the airline submits personal data to the TSA for authorization. This procedure is essential. This code was implemented by the US authorities as an additional security measure after the 9/11 attacks.
What is the TSA?
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for protecting the nation’s transportation systems and provides airport security.
Although being selected may seem random, many times the same passenger becomes an eligible profile for the TSA without knowing it, due to travel behavior, the following are my recommendations to avoid this from happening:
- Book two weeks in advance. Last minute bookings are not good for a traveler’s reputation.
- Don’t pay cash.
- Avoid traveling to countries considered “high risk” by the US Department of State.
- Avoid (if possible) trips with stopovers.
I am sensitive to the loss of time and money that many people suffer due to being unfamiliar with process, which is why when planning a trip, whether for business or pleasure, I apply all my efforts to avoiding possible setbacks.
