My son’s fiancée is coming for a visit today. She called my son from the airport and said she got stopped at security because she got SSSS. We have no idea what that means, and we’re nervous because it’s her first flight. What does it mean?

May 8, 2026 by bilal

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“Those four S’s are not your friend.”

Grumbles from disgruntled tourists notwithstanding, TSA representatives insist that a SSSS mark isn’t a curse. The airway watchmen claim, instead, that it’s a safety must.

“Security measures begin long before passengers arrive at the airport,” a spokesperson told Fox. “TSA works closely with the intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information.”

“Additional security measures are in place from the time passengers get to the airport until they arrive at their destination,” said the insider, adding that no traveler is able to bypass the SSSS search.

“In some cases, passengers are randomly selected for enhanced screening.”