Credit: Mehroz Kapadia/Travel + Leisure Seeing SSSS on your boarding pass means you'll have additional security screening during your airport experience.The SSSS designation is usually random but can sometimes relate to travel patterns or security watchlists.Travelers frustrated by frequent extra screenings can apply for the Department of Homeland Security's Redress Program for a smoother experience. Airport security is an important system in place to maintain the safety of the traveling public. More than 904 million passengers were screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2025. And while many of those screenings were routine, seeing the dreaded four-letter code—SSSS—on your boarding pass could signal a significant slowdown in your airport security experience, with additional screening and bag searches. Here's everything you need to know. What is SSSS? SSSS stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection by the U.S.…