The SSSS CAN mean you are on a watch list erroneously. After getting that SSSS for the fifth year in a row, I looked and discovered that my name was on a watchlist. Though it is NOT me that is on the watch list. I applied for the Traveler Redress Inquiry and 4 months later, was removed from that list. It's odd because I also have Global Entry. So, I've been through a lot of security.
Anyway, two years now without the SSSS on my boarding pass.

And eightzerobits is correct. You can just give your travelling companion all your stuff. It's really kind of dumb.