CATSA offers expedited screening for those with Nexus
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,849
CATSA offers expedited screening for those with Nexus
Press release here.
Ottawa, May 17, 2010 – Canadian air travellers with NEXUS cards can now be expedited through designated airport security screening lines, when travelling on domestic and select international flights (excluding travel to the United States) through three Canadian airports: Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier, Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International.
The new Trusted Traveller/NEXUS trial program is being offered by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in conjunction with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Transport Canada. The program is beneficial as it allows NEXUS cardholders to be expedited through airport security screening, and will reduce wait times for travellers at other screening lines.
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The new Trusted Traveller/NEXUS trial program is being offered by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in conjunction with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Transport Canada. The program is beneficial as it allows NEXUS cardholders to be expedited through airport security screening, and will reduce wait times for travellers at other screening lines.
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#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
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Press release here.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
If TSA would copy this for domestic US screening (rather than relying on CLEARalikes), I'd actually sign up for NEXUS. (Right now it's not worth the money for my once-a-year trips to Toronto.)
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
If you do any sort of other international travel, it is totally worth it, because you get GE for free.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: MSY
Posts: 312
I wouldn't mind carrying my NEXUS card for domestic flights in these cities if it's actually worth the "expedited" screening. Waiting with great interest for trip reports from people who use this service - what are people experiencing?
#7
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: YYZ
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#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
It does appear that way . . .
Language like "the best use of available resources and space" and "a delicate process to balance safety and security" implies that they plan on making some changes to the actual screening of NEXUS members, not just give a pass to the front of the line. That's how I read it, anyway. Maybe less secondaries or a slightly relaxed level of scrutiny.
The designated screening lines for NEXUS members will help us make the best use of available resources and space, while enhancing the passenger experience and maintaining high security standards.”
“It is a delicate process to balance safety and security with making travel easier, whether at the border or in the airport,” said Stephen Rigby, President of the CBSA. “We are pleased that our trusted traveller program can help our partners achieve that balance.”
“It is a delicate process to balance safety and security with making travel easier, whether at the border or in the airport,” said Stephen Rigby, President of the CBSA. “We are pleased that our trusted traveller program can help our partners achieve that balance.”
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Programs: AC-SE (MM), Hilton-Diamond (lifetime)
Posts: 182
I am loving the new Nexus lines at YOW and YYZ. They have significantly cut my wait time on several occasions. Although one evening at YYZ they did let a number of people who were not Nexus holders use the Nexus line and that slowed things down.
I am sure the Nexus lines save the Concierges some time as well as Nexus holders running late should no longer have to use the Concierges to expedite security.
I am sure the Nexus lines save the Concierges some time as well as Nexus holders running late should no longer have to use the Concierges to expedite security.
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,594
Language like "the best use of available resources and space" and "a delicate process to balance safety and security" implies that they plan on making some changes to the actual screening of NEXUS members, not just give a pass to the front of the line. That's how I read it, anyway. Maybe less secondaries or a slightly relaxed level of scrutiny.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 414
I work at one of those airports and I can tell you that if you come at a peak time, having the card can save you a lot of time. If you come and a time when there are no other passengers, it really doesn't matter.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2002
Programs: UAL MM, BA G
Posts: 1,757
Perhaps I am thinking about different lines, but I have been rejected at the expedited security line at YYZ (transborder), told that AC Elites can use it but not other *G. Are we talking about the same thing?
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
^ That's very good news. One quibble is that considering NEXUS was originally designed for transborder efficiency, why not allow for expedited screening for travel to the US?
#14
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If the Kippie Bags and shoes aren't a risk for GE people, they're not a risk for everyone else either. @:-)
#15
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Not sure I get the benefit - especially as the process doesn't apply to transborder flights - and why not?
So is this expedited screening as in 'shorter line' like CLEAR or expedited screening as in 'your security check will be more cursory and take less time'? The press release wasn't clear.
So is this expedited screening as in 'shorter line' like CLEAR or expedited screening as in 'your security check will be more cursory and take less time'? The press release wasn't clear.