Thinking of jetting off to the 'Land of Opportunity' any time soon? Then perhaps it's best to prepare for a 'kiss of death' code on your airplane boarding pass.
Tom Grond, who has a travel blog called traveltomtom.net, illustrated the reality of such a situation in a helpful video on his TikTok last year, which he recorded in Frankfurt Airport on his way to the United States.
Introduced by the US Transportation Security Administration in the aftermath of 9/11, the 'Secondary Security Screening Selection' (or simply 'SSSS') stamp is likely issued to passengers that book last-minute trips; purchase their tickets with cash, and those who frequent 'high-risk' locations around the world.
Random selection isn't out of the question either.
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Next to the clip itself, which documents his SSSS experience, Tom wrote: "Ever heard of this? Although I take more than 100 flights per year it was my first time I got an SSSS ticket.
"Officially an SSSS code on a boarding pass stands for 'Secondary Security Screening Selection.' Ok, let's be honest, it is actually nothing to be worried about too much... this code means you have been flagged and randomly selected to undergo an additional security screening procedure.
"You go to a separate area where they take some samples of your clothes, shoes and bag and quickly go through your carry-on and that is it! So next time you have a boarding pass with an SSSS code don't panic, all easy!"
When not speaking to the camera, the German social media personality was filmed at a security desk and separate sit-down area where staff thumbed through his belongings.
"I had to go into a room and they basically had to take samples from my body, from my shoes, from my bag," he went on to share.
Upon reaching his destination, what really surprised Tom was the fact US Customs didn't ask him a load of extra questions concerning his visits to 'dangerous countries' like Iran and Iraq that were displayed on his passport.
He simply confirmed that he had nothing to declare and was sent on his merry way.
It turns out that Tom isn't the only one who's had experience with the SSSS stamp, as one TikToker commented: "Flew from the UK to US twice to visit my fiance and got the 4 S's, nothing to worry about. You just receive a quick screening before you board the plane, that's it."
And another said: "Happened to me many times flying to America from Europe even though I'm a US citizen."
Topics: TikTok, Travel, Social Media
Dan Seddon