Latest news with #travelexpert
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Traveler claims letters on your boarding pass means extra TSA checks
By A travel expert has gone viral after revealing the meaning behind the dreaded 'SSSS' printed on some boarding passes – a code that can lead to extra TSA screening and major airport delays. Chloe Jade Meltzer (pictured), 30, who has visited over 156 countries, was flying from Germany to New York when she noticed the four letters on her ticket. It stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, a designation she says is 'a pain to deal with' and most often applies to flights heading into the United States. 'Basically, it means that you've been flagged for extra security checks before you can board your flight,' she explained. 'This is always related to flying into the United States, and it's usually for international travel.' Meltzer has traveled to more than 156 countries and admitted she receives tickets with quadruple S' quite often. 'The first few times that you get it it can feel a bit daunting or scary. Especially if you are someone who is not a US citizen and you are about to fly into the United States,' she wrote on TikTok. Metlzer revealed that fliers could get them for many reasons, including inconsistent passports, one-way flights, purchasing a ticket with cash, names matching someone on a watchlist, or completely random. The content creator explained everything that usually happens because of a ticket's 'SSSS' label in a video she posted last April Meltzer revealed travelers will be pulled aside to the gate before boarding and be taken to 'a little corner.' However, employees usually bring the unlucky ticketholder off to the side. 'You'll get either a pat down, a detailed search of your luggage, or your hands and your bags will be wiped, and they'll be tested for explosives,' Meltzer explained. She continued by saying employees could potentially ask questions such as where they're flying to and how long they've stayed at a destination. The TikToker claimed the process could make fliers feel 'very targeted' but that all these steps would be going on for other people around them with 'SSSS' on their passes. 'I personally don't like this because it takes longer. You can't do this before boarding, they do it exactly at boarding,' she stated. While Meltzer has expressed disdain toward 'SSSS,' she deals with it, and revealed her one-way flights and passport irregularities might be the reasons why this happens to her often. Multiple TikTok users shared their own memorable experiences as 'SSSS' boarding pass holders. 'I got it when I was 15, didn't even know minors could be selected for it, even the employees at the gate seemed embarrassed and a bit lost,' a commenter wrote. 'I had it for all flights for two years after I studied abroad in Istanbul. First time the gate agent didn't do the boarding pass right and caused me to miss my flight and have to,' another traveler responded. 'The last time I had it happen flying from Rome to JFK every single person who was being screened was a blonde between the ages of 20-40. Hard to believe it was randomized,' a flier claimed. Fliers have the option to apply for a redress number, an identifier issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals who have experienced difficulties during security screenings at airports or other transportation hubs. 'The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program can provide resolution to travelers with difficulties getting through security and inspection at airport checkpoints, train stations, and when crossing U.S. borders,' the agency shared on its website . This can be applied to domestic and international travelers, and while redress numbers can be used for future bookings, it does not mean the applicant will never see 'SSSS' again.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Warning as traveler claims four letters on your boarding pass means extra TSA checks
A travel expert has gone viral after revealing the meaning behind the dreaded 'SSSS' printed on some boarding passes — a code that can lead to extra TSA screening and major airport delays. Chloe Jade Meltzer, 30, who has visited over 156 countries, was flying from Germany to New York when she noticed the four letters on her ticket. It stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, a designation she says is 'a pain to deal with' and most often applies to flights heading into the United States. 'Basically, it means that you've been flagged for extra security checks before you can board your flight,' she explained. 'This is always related to flying into the United States, and it's usually for international travel.' Meltzer has traveled to more than 156 countries and admitted she receives tickets with quadruple S' quite often. 'The first few times that you get it it can feel a bit daunting or scary. Especially if you are someone who is not a US citizen and you are about to fly into the United States,' she wrote on TikTok. Metlzer revealed that fliers could get them for many reasons, including inconsistent passports, one-way flights, purchasing a ticket with cash, names matching someone on a watchlist, or completely random. Meltzer has been to over 156 countries, and recently had 'SSSS' on her boarding pass when flying to New York from Germany The content creator explained everything that usually happens because of a ticket's 'SSSS' label in a video she posted last April. Meltzer revealed travelers will be pulled aside to the gate before boarding and be taken to 'a little corner.' However, employees usually bring the unlucky ticketholder off to the side. 'You'll get either a pat down, a detailed search of your luggage, or your hands and your bags will be wiped, and they'll be tested for explosives,' Meltzer explained. She continued by saying employees could potentially ask questions such as where they're flying to and how long they've stayed at a destination. The TikToker claimed the process could make fliers feel 'very targeted' but that all these steps would be going on for other people around them with 'SSSS' on their passes. 'I personally don't like this because it takes longer. You can't do this before boarding, they do it exactly at boarding,' she stated. While Meltzer has expressed disdain toward 'SSSS,' she deals with it, and revealed her one-way flights and passport irregularities might be the reasons why this happens to her often. Multiple TikTok users shared their own memorable experiences as 'SSSS' boarding pass holders. 'I got it when I was 15, didn't even know minors could be selected for it, even the employees at the gate seemed embarrassed and a bit lost,' a commenter wrote. 'I had it for all flights for two years after I studied abroad in Istanbul. First time the gate agent didn't do the boarding pass right and caused me to miss my flight and have to,' another traveler responded. 'The last time I had it happen flying from Rome to JFK every single person who was being screened was a blonde between the ages of 20-40. Hard to believe it was randomized,' a flier claimed. Fliers have the option to apply for a redress number, an identifier issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals who have experienced difficulties during security screenings at airports or other transportation hubs. 'The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program can provide resolution to travelers with difficulties getting through security and inspection at airport checkpoints, train stations, and when crossing U.S. borders,' the agency shared on its website. This can be applied to domestic and international travelers, and while redress numbers can be used for future bookings, it does not mean the applicant will never see 'SSSS' again. Meltzer admitted that even though she should do this, she's been a 'bit lazy.' Airline travel has become more complicated for travelers over the past year, partially because of the controversial Real ID requirement for travel. The new ID resulted in DMVs nationwide being flooded with travelers looking to get one before the May deadline.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
This is the one thing you should never put in a TSA bin — it's the top item stolen at security, expert warns
If you've ever dropped your phone into a TSA bin and sent it down the conveyor belt — as most air travelers have done — you might want to rethink that casual habit. In a now-viral TikTok, travel expert Tiffany (@ shares a critical piece of advice she says she learned the hard way: never place your phone directly into a TSA bin. Instead, she always keeps hers zipped securely inside her bag. 'The thing I'm absolutely never doing when I'm going through TSA — I am not putting my phone directly into one of the containers,' she says in the video, which has now racked up hundreds of thousands of views. 'It's always going in a zipped pocket in my bag.' Tiffany recalls being corrected by a TSA officer who caught her placing her phone loose in a bin. 'The TSA agent looked at me and was like, 'You don't like your phone?'' she recounts. 'I said, 'Yes?' And he said, 'This is the fastest way to get it stolen.'' According to Tiffany, the agent told her that phones are the number one item stolen at airport security. The issue, she explains, is timing: when lines back up or bins pile up, travelers often aren't paying close attention to their belongings. That moment of distraction is all it takes. Viewers were quick to sound off in the comments — many in disbelief. 'Wait WHAT! I always do this. Never again,' one person wrote. Another added, 'This happened to me. Lost my phone before a 10-hour flight — worst feeling ever.' Others chimed in with their own hacks: some tuck their phones into shoes, while others swear by interior zipper pouches or belt bags they keep on until the last second. Tiffany's closing advice is simple but effective: 'Always make sure your valuables are zipped up [inside] your bag when they go through the scanners.' It's a small change that could save you hundreds of dollars — and a whole lot of airport stress.
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Flight attendant reveals the dirtiest area of a plane - and it's not where you'd expect
Flights aren't often the most comfortable way to travel. Whether you're sitting next to a rude fellow passenger or squashed into an economy seat, there are many ways a plane journey can become a bit of a nightmare. But don't worry. A former British Airways flight attendant, Jane Hawkes, has revealed her best tips to have the most comfortable journey possible, and revealed which area of the plane is generally even dirtier than the toilets. The travel expert says: 'If you're travelling this summer, don't forget to pack hand sanitiser in your hand luggage. 'When travelling on a plane where possible avoid touching any area unless you've sanitised them. 'I recommend always carrying sanitiser and wipes in your hand luggage, as aircrafts are only ever deep-cleaned if they're taken in for maintenance.' Jane reveals that between journeys the plane is usually just given a 'superficial wipe over' and quick tidy up by crew. And the dirtiest areas? She says: 'The worst offending areas are tray tables, arm rests, seats and headrests, so always give them a wipe down before using.' In partnership with The Wedding Travel Company, former flight attendant Janealso revealed where the best seat on the plane is and passengers will get 'more leg room' in this coveted spot. 'The best seats are by the bulkhead, right at the front of the plane,' explains Jane. 'The interior walls separates the cabins from the galley, so you don't have anyone reclining their seat in front of you. 'These seats also have more leg room, and due to their location at the front of cabins, they can provide priority boarding and exit. 'Passengers in these seats will also be served first in that cabin, meaning you get to enjoy your food and drink too.' But being in the best seat on the aircraft might not even matter much if your fellow passengers don't behave. According to Jane, one of the worst etiquette mistakes travellers can make is putting their feet up on the seats. She explains: 'The worst thing any passenger can do is put their feet on the seats. It's unhygienic, unnecessary and impolite and shows a complete disregard for fellow passengers.' Another 'complete no-no'? Travellers who 'take off their shoes and socks' are breaking every etiquette rule in the book, says Jane. 'I've seen passengers walk barefoot around the cabin, yuck.' The former flight attendant also claims that those who use loud devices 'without headphones' are 'deeply annoying' while 'talking through safety announcements' is 'disrespectful to staff and other passengers'. And Jane's 'biggest bugbear?' Passengers who recline their plane seats without checking whether it's okay to do so. She explains: 'My biggest bugbear and no doubt one which many will agree with, the reclining of seats not just during the meal service but at any time during the flight without at least checking if it's ok with the passenger behind.'
CTV News
12-05-2025
- CTV News
Will Canadian snowbirds return to the U.S.?
Travel expert Marty Firestone discussions the reduction of international travel, and some people choosing to stay within Canada.
