How My SSSS Boarding Pass Was (Mis)Handled In Dubai

Flying out of Dubai on United Airlines was an interesting experience–apparently, secondary screening is just a suggestion? Look, I’m not complaining, but my “SSSS” treatment at Dubai Airport was beautifully non-existent.

SSSS In Dubai Airport – Nothing Secondary About It

SSSS stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection…given either randomly to passengers or assigned based on their ticket (such as odd one-way routings). I saw the “dreaded” SSSS on my boarding pass when I checked in for my United flight to Newark and prepared for the worst.

Typically that means additional screening including a careful search of my carry-on bags, a pat-down, and wiping my hands an carry-ons then testing them for traces of explosives in a machine that may not work but certainly taxpayers paid far too much for.

Why did I get the SSSS this time? It could be because I bought a one-way to Dubai and the US government may not have been able to track my routing to get to Dubai (it was San Francisco – Taipei – Singapore – Siem Reap – Bangkok – Kathmandu – Paro – Delhi – Dubai) and therefore flagged my itinerary. Maybe it was just because it was a one-way ticket originating in the Middle East? Or just totally random…

In any case, this was not my first time with an SSSS on my boarding pass and I doubt it will be my last.

I showed up at the gate and everyone had to go through a gate screening before being allowed onboard the US-bound flight. I expected the usual rigamarole, but I went through security just like everyone else…and that was that. No extra checks or additional searching.

Soon after, I was sitting on my seat onboard.

I’m not sure whether ground staff was supposed to do anything additional or if the “standard” secondary screening everyone has to go through at the gate was considered enough, but the SSSS was never mentioned.

And I like it that way…a welcome difference from the way German airports handle SSSS…

I wouldn’t wish SSSS in FRA or MUC on my enemies!