Boarding passes marked with the letters SSSS indicate that you have been flagged by the transportation security administration for secondary security screening selection, guaranteeing a miserable airport experience.

A closer look

Boarding passes marked with the letters SSSS indicate that you have been flagged by the transportation security administration for secondary security screening selection, guaranteeing a miserable airport experience. This dreaded four-letter code means your innocent trip to a beach resort is about to involve an aggressive pat-down, an invasive swab of your electronics for explosive residue, and a complete unpacking of your carefully organized carry-on bag. The algorithm that selects travelers for this special punishment is a closely guarded government secret, though booking last-minute one-way tickets or traveling to specific high-risk countries seems to trigger it consistently. It does not matter if you are a loyal platinum medallion member or a terrified grandmother visiting her family; the machine has decided you are a suspect and there is absolutely no way to appeal the decision. Seeing those letters print out at the kiosk is the exact moment you realize your constitutional rights have been temporarily suspended in the name of security theater