Should I be concerned?

[obsidian]

I was flying back from NYC today, a little bit frustrated. My flight yesterday had been cancelled and the only flight we could get was at 8:30. To make it even worse we could not use the kiosk at the hotel or the internet to print our boarding passes. We kept on getting a message saying that they couldnt process it, we phoned air canada, their system wasn't down. We tried multiple computers to no avail. As I reached the the entrance of the terminal where the customs/search officers I was asked to present my boarding pass. She then took out a green marker and wrote something on it (not legible[i will scan it later]) and then took out her highliter and wrote with it over a section that read "remarks / observations and underneath it was SSSS". I then proceeded to the 1st custom screening, I put my backpack, jackets, shoes, watch, and ipod on the tray to go through the x-ray(is that the technology they still use?) then walked through the metal detector. No alarms or any problems. I then gave them my passport and boarding pass, and they directed me to a secondary search. No objections, this is what you can come to expect post 9/11 at airports. He frisked me. He turns on my laptop, ipod, cell phone, takes out nearly everything and searches through my entire backpack. He then takes my coat and shoes to have a closer inspecetion. After he frisked me. Still I did not care. It wasnt until I was in the plane and reading the newspaper, National Post A17 March 7, 2007 article Another non-terrorist added to no fly list. I read it (you can too if you have it, or ill scan it aswell) and it says that she wasnt banned from flying, she just couldnt electronically print her tockets like me. I then thought...that happened to me, and i got searched twice. Not because I looked suspicous, but because I had SS on my boarding pass.

which leads me to the conclusion, it was intentionally put on my boarding pass, and my mothers(eliminating the possibility of random secondary screenings[flight of 100=2% chance]). It concerned me even more that my mother and I were the only people I saw that had walked through.

I AM 16. I am not a terrorist. I have never once mentioned any method of implimenting views that I have expressed. Any of my political views I believe, or would like too, would benefit the entire planet.

I was born in Canada, I love my country and would never harm it or its people, but what is this..?

[Shakeyhands]

you were subjected to Secondary Screening... really no big deal.

[obsidian]

but the other circumstances like having to wait in a line for a ticket manually and showing my passport, that none of the electronic printers worked for me, they worked for many others on the flight, who used the same machine as me (we tried all of them). and in the article this is what they describe the "no fly list as".

[Wilber]

You can't help but wonder. If it happens the next time, you should start asking some questions. Be nice when you do.

[obsidian]

"Hello, my name is _____ ________. Today I was traveling by Air Canada and on my boarding pass there was a "SS" under remarks. I have become aware that this stands for secondary search. I understand that in this day and age with the international threats that our national security is of the utmost importance and we must protect it. I understand that you most likely issue this "SS" label ,if in fact, you have determined the traveler as a threat, or perhaps you attach "SS" to the boarding pass randomly. To me, neither are problems. However I have difficulty comprehending how random the "SS" label could be when both my son, who is 16, received this label. Until I was in the plane I had no issue with being searched twice, for neither my son or I had anything to hide. However upon reading today, in the national post, I realized that these events are synonymous with the "specified persons list" otherwise know as the "no fly list" (ex. Cannot print tickets online or at kiosk, “SS” as mentioned above). This on the other hand concerns me. II love our country and would never harm it. If you can justify these actions please do, I would like an explanation."

i send this to transport canada, as advised by air canada. still waiting for a response (4 days). im flying again tommorow 3am, we'll see if it happens again.

[Monroe]

Well, I hope for your sake it doesn't happen again. Flying and getting through airports is unpleasant enough without having to go through added screening. I'd be suspicious but not scared at this stage. It's perfectly possible that such a late change of planes automatically flags up something on the system?

[RB]

I understand how it feels to be sort-a subjected especially when you only have good intentions, basically a good person and believe you are being compromise

This example is not about security, but mostly my daughter and I travel, and we are always subjected to questions every time, to the point of getting use to it--and having a consent release letter ready. The airport folks always want to know whether father is aware the kid is travelling. Hey, I ain't kidnapping my own kid - a bit fed-up

But also I think the folks have a trained eye, have a job, and we have to allow them to do just that

Terror on planes is real, and all the other security checking is because of real concern for safety, for you, for others and taking back the skies from "bad people"

[Melanie_]

Obsidian, you might be interested in this thread.

Liberty or Security

[Riverwind]

which leads me to the conclusion, it was intentionally put on my boarding pass, and my mothers(eliminating the possibility of random secondary screenings[flight of 100=2% chance]). It concerned me even more that my mother and I were the only people I saw that had walked through.

Any security screen system must randomly select people for secondary screening even if they have no reason to believe they are a terrorist. I got the SS on my boarding card once and that is the explaination I got when I asked.

[marcinmoka]

It's random.

I've gotten it about 3 times, but mainly I am let through.

[BZBee]

but the other circumstances like having to wait in a line for a ticket manually and showing my passport, that none of the electronic printers worked for me, they worked for many others on the flight, who used the same machine as me (we tried all of them). and in the article this is what they describe the "no fly list as".

Your name may be similar to one listed on the "no fly" list.

[fellowtraveller]

If you were actually on the no-fly list, they wouldn't have ..let you on the plane, right?

The screening you got sounds like what every passenger receives at Heathrow.