Getting Tracy Off The TSA Watch List
Mar 25th, 2023, 09:21 AM
#1
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Getting Tracy Off The TSA Watch List
Despite already having been finger printed and background checked for Global Entry, Tracy has been constantly yanked out of line by TSA on virtually every trip we have taken in the past five years. On our recent trip to Portugal she was not even allowed to print a boarding pass until she got to the airport, and then received the dreaded “SSSS” on it. Of course, she was patted down and swabbed like a criminal before she could board. Knowing she isn’t a terrorist, Tracy read an article that contained a link that allowed her to request to be removed from the list she obviously was on. If you or anyone you know has been in this situation, here is Tracy’s report on how to navigate out of this predicament.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/ann...edress-number/
Annoyed by Secondary Screening? You May Need a Redress Number
(Report By Tracy) - I have had a Known Traveler Number through Global Entry for years, yet I was pulled out for additional screening on seven straight flights out of Sacramento, once in Canada and in Portugal.
Every single time I ask why and the reply is that I am “just lucky” or that it is “totally random.” Obviously, that is untrue.When returning from Portugal, I had to obtain my boarding pass at the counter whereas Tom was able to get his before we left the hotel. Tom’s ticket indicated pre-check, while mine was stamped SSSS. I have subsequently learned this stands for “Secondary Security Screening Selection” which is an enhanced security screening including a full body pat-down and explosive-detecting swabs. To make matters more delightful, my screening was accompanied by armed guards.
I was excited to come across a recent article in Travel + Leisure with a link on how to apply for a redress number. From the article, “A redress number … is used to help travelers alleviate recurring security issues [that’s me!] … A redress number alerts the [TSA] that a traveler may be incorrectly added to a security watch list, which happens on occasion.” https://trip.dhs.gov/s/
The link includes a helpful quiz to find out if the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program is right for you. I immediately tried the link and NO SURPRISE, it looked like I should qualify under the “You were unable to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the Internet,”
And possibly under the “You were delayed … boarding an aircraft” or “You are repeatedly referred for secondary screening when clearing U.S. Customs…” although they checked me before Customs so not sure that one works.
It took about 30 minutes to complete the application. I could have done it quicker had I scanned and saved my passport to the desktop before I started. Also, it is very important to have the dates, airlines and flight numbers of the flights where the incidents occurred handy. If you remember, keep your boarding pass or take a photo as it would be helpful to document your application.
I received a response within three days:
“DHS TRIP can neither confirm nor deny any information about you which may be within federal watchlists or reveal any law enforcement sensitive information. We have found that about 2% of the DHS TRIP complainants actually have some connection to the Terrorist Watchlist.”
The letter went on to state, “Where appropriate, as a result of the redress process, DHS employs a procedure to correct the information used to process travelers at the ports of entry that reduces the chance of misidentifications occurring.”
I have now been assigned a redress number. Hopefully, I will no longer be the subject of secondary screening or the object of much good-natured mockery by my traveling companions. I guess I am “just lucky.”
MAI TAI TOM TRAVEL TIP: For those of you who are still on the fence about applying for Global Entry, on our last two trips home from Europe, from the time we disembarked, breezed through passport control and customs, and picked up our luggage, we were at the curb in just under 25 minutes! Totally worth the $100 which includes TSA PreCheck. Be sure to check with your credit card company as some of them will reimburse you for the application fee.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/ann...edress-number/
(Report By Tracy) - I have had a Known Traveler Number through Global Entry for years, yet I was pulled out for additional screening on seven straight flights out of Sacramento, once in Canada and in Portugal.
Every single time I ask why and the reply is that I am “just lucky” or that it is “totally random.” Obviously, that is untrue.When returning from Portugal, I had to obtain my boarding pass at the counter whereas Tom was able to get his before we left the hotel. Tom’s ticket indicated pre-check, while mine was stamped SSSS. I have subsequently learned this stands for “Secondary Security Screening Selection” which is an enhanced security screening including a full body pat-down and explosive-detecting swabs. To make matters more delightful, my screening was accompanied by armed guards.
I was excited to come across a recent article in Travel + Leisure with a link on how to apply for a redress number. From the article, “A redress number … is used to help travelers alleviate recurring security issues [that’s me!] … A redress number alerts the [TSA] that a traveler may be incorrectly added to a security watch list, which happens on occasion.” https://trip.dhs.gov/s/
The link includes a helpful quiz to find out if the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program is right for you. I immediately tried the link and NO SURPRISE, it looked like I should qualify under the “You were unable to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the Internet,”
And possibly under the “You were delayed … boarding an aircraft” or “You are repeatedly referred for secondary screening when clearing U.S. Customs…” although they checked me before Customs so not sure that one works.
It took about 30 minutes to complete the application. I could have done it quicker had I scanned and saved my passport to the desktop before I started. Also, it is very important to have the dates, airlines and flight numbers of the flights where the incidents occurred handy. If you remember, keep your boarding pass or take a photo as it would be helpful to document your application.
I received a response within three days:
“DHS TRIP can neither confirm nor deny any information about you which may be within federal watchlists or reveal any law enforcement sensitive information. We have found that about 2% of the DHS TRIP complainants actually have some connection to the Terrorist Watchlist.”
The letter went on to state, “Where appropriate, as a result of the redress process, DHS employs a procedure to correct the information used to process travelers at the ports of entry that reduces the chance of misidentifications occurring.”
I have now been assigned a redress number. Hopefully, I will no longer be the subject of secondary screening or the object of much good-natured mockery by my traveling companions. I guess I am “just lucky.”
MAI TAI TOM TRAVEL TIP: For those of you who are still on the fence about applying for Global Entry, on our last two trips home from Europe, from the time we disembarked, breezed through passport control and customs, and picked up our luggage, we were at the curb in just under 25 minutes! Totally worth the $100 which includes TSA PreCheck. Be sure to check with your credit card company as some of them will reimburse you for the application fee.
Mar 25th, 2023, 03:53 PM
#5
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I hope MaiTaiTracy gets this resolved!
I had the dreaded ssss when leaving London once -- I associated it with a visit to Kyiv before the recent unpleasantness occurred and I simply handed my computer case to Mr. 7 to board and had my other carry on swabbed along with my hands, I believe. Annoying, but not a big deal unless it happens every time, which it hasn't for me. We also were unable to print out boarding passes that trip but not others. Very mysterious.
I have been chosen for the pat down at TSA with the long spiel of what they're doing, where they're doing it, do I want to go to another place for it, etc. I have to hold myself back from snapping, "Can we just get on with this?!"
Agree that Global Entry is fab.
I had the dreaded ssss when leaving London once -- I associated it with a visit to Kyiv before the recent unpleasantness occurred and I simply handed my computer case to Mr. 7 to board and had my other carry on swabbed along with my hands, I believe. Annoying, but not a big deal unless it happens every time, which it hasn't for me. We also were unable to print out boarding passes that trip but not others. Very mysterious.
I have been chosen for the pat down at TSA with the long spiel of what they're doing, where they're doing it, do I want to go to another place for it, etc. I have to hold myself back from snapping, "Can we just get on with this?!"
Agree that Global Entry is fab.
Mar 27th, 2023, 10:32 AM
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That's so weird, I see the redress number to fill in on some flight reservation forms, never was quite sure that was, I have Global entry. Makes you wonder how she got it.
I've been patted down several times, I really don't care and don't know why people get so bent out of shape about that. It doesn't take long. They are just trying to do their jobs, I think it is rude to act badly towards the agents, they don't get paid that much. I can't even imagine how terrible that or many customer service jobs are when you get abuse from customers for just doing your job. They have always been very professional about it with me.
I've been patted down several times, I really don't care and don't know why people get so bent out of shape about that. It doesn't take long. They are just trying to do their jobs, I think it is rude to act badly towards the agents, they don't get paid that much. I can't even imagine how terrible that or many customer service jobs are when you get abuse from customers for just doing your job. They have always been very professional about it with me.
Mar 27th, 2023, 11:00 AM
#10
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"I really don't care and don't know why people get so bent out of shape about that. It doesn't take long."
When it happens every flight, it is annoying. By the way we aren't rude to the TSA agents, but some of them have certainly been. We'll see if the redress number (which we also never knew what it was until Tracy read the article) works this spring.
When it happens every flight, it is annoying. By the way we aren't rude to the TSA agents, but some of them have certainly been. We'll see if the redress number (which we also never knew what it was until Tracy read the article) works this spring.
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