[SEJeff]

Here is an anecdote for you. I was once held up at gunpoint on a business trip and my wallet was taken (gotta love Orlando, FL).

I went to the airport 3 hours early with no identification and told them the situation. They still printed my boarding pass and put SSSS on it. I went to the huge long line and I went around it entirely and went into the secondary screening room. They did a full patdown and entirely emptied my carry-on. It was no big deal and was done in 20 minutes, less time than I'd have stood in line. After that I boarded the plane and went home.

I've sometimes contemplated putting SSSS on my boarding pass with a red sharpie when there is a very long line just to get around it entirely.

[nxzero]

Thank you, this is exactly the same experience I've heard from others.

Anyone that I'm aware has had issues, knew they were permanently of the SSSS list, knew what would happen, ignored it, and had minor issues; in case it's not clear to others, you got a one-time SSSS for not having an ID.

Clearly, given anyone might have issue and I've seen it happen, ("I swear, I was joking, I will never say that again; [as passenger walks away with law enforcement].")

Any rate, while I agree neither with the SSSS or for that matter, it's been shown that TSA offers no real protection via their owe audits - an SSSS flag has no meaningful impact yo my knowledge.