keitherson

There is absolutely no debate on this topic, but people keep saying the wrong things based on their experiences, which might be dealing with misinformed border guards and airline agents.

People seem to not trust airline agents for airline inventory space and a whole bunch of other stuff but their misinterpretation of TIMATIC rules seems to be unquestionable.

DrunkCargo

This has been my experience at SFO as well.

Several times the checkin agent specifically said they had to re-enter my passport as that was the document being checked at docs check time.

TominLazybrook

In my experience if you enter Canada with a Nexus card, CBSA never checks your passport. You get a piece of paper at the machine and then that's it. I did need my passport to get back to the USA though. Air Canada and United always asked me for it to check in, but I never tried just checking in online (I always had a bag). I always had it with me, but found it odd that no one ever really checked it. I presume that since Canada knows just about everything about everyone coming into the country (including who paid for the ticket - and even 20+ year old scrapes with the law - not me but others), they decided that was good enough for them.

I'd never travel internationally without my passport though. Just thought it was odd that no one in Canada seemed to even check if I had it.

ffsim

Best post of the entire thread ^

Or, instead of arguing with airline employees who may or may not decide to enjoy a little power trip at your expense, just carry a passport. You know, because you're traveling outside your country.

FWIW I've never been asked for my passport when entering Canada with Nexus. That being said, the travel document details I provide at APIS and during check-in are my passport's, and it's the passport that I show to airline check-in staff and TSA agents. Why? Because I'm outside Canada and have my passport with me. And because I don't have any particular desire to argue unnecessarily.

keitherson

Not everyone has a choice when it comes to carrying a passport for travel. I have had to travel with just a NEXUS because my passport was at an embassy being processed.

Please stop with unhelpful platitudes in saying that people should travel with their passport.

Are you going to suggest travel insurance as well?

No one has the time to go around picking a fight with airline check-in agents and border security just for kicks.

BlueMilk

Uh... if travelling to the US? Yes. Yes I am.

ffsim

On the contrary, please stop with unhelpful platitudes in saying that people should travel without their passport.

As with much in life, it's not the rules that matter but how they're enforced. And one of the most fundamental covenants of international travel* is to have your passport with you. It's that simple.

*Let's put aside international travel within the Schengen region for the moment.

keitherson

And since when did anyone in this thread recommend people travel without a passport?

Like I said, as I have noted multiple times before in this thread, that sometimes you do not have a choice. And that a NEXUS does qualify as a travel document for international travel within and between the US and Canada, whether recommended or not.

It's also great to know that the rules clearly state that NEXUS-only travel is permissible, whether or not the rules are enforced. The rules are on your side even if some people might not be.

Thanks, your advice was really helpful. Maybe we can make a thread about how people should always travel to the US with travel insurance, even if you can travel without it.

knotseh

^

I always keep my Nexus and passport in the same pouch. I'll show my Nexus but if someone asks for the passport, I'll gladly produce it for them. Don't need make a scene....its not the end of the world.

This thread makes me laugh.

CZAMFlyer

I think the only person who even mentioned a dispute was a member who has posted about being involved in many previous disputes at airports.
I appreciate ffsim's concern, but to be clear, I have agreed that carrying a passport is a good idea, I do generally carry mine along with my Nexus card and I have never been asked to produce supplementary documentation by either US or Canadian officials (just once by a UA gate agent).
Stepping outside the country without one's passport may be beyond the comfort level of some, so by all means tether it to your hip pocket. Due to ketherson's precise example in post #50, I spent several weeks outside Canada without my passport this year, and have no drama to report in terms of breaching any supposed 'fundamental covenants of international travel'.

This thread makes me sigh, not laugh. Anecdotal experience of misinterpretation of the rules has led some to espouse a hard line opinion, without referring to factual info helpfully posted on the CBSA website. Tis the FT way.

flyquiet

I never use passport at GE preclearance in Canadian airports. As per post #39, the preclearance facilities accept them. I have never had issues, nor has anyone told me different. GE at other point of entry will not accept the NEXUS card.

I always have passport with me, always tucked in RFID-proof case deep in the bottom of my bag. I literally have to verify it is there periodically because I am NEVER asked for it by either US or Canada. However, I would never want to be unable to produce it.

Daughter (US/Cdn) was unable to use card in machine because the card did not have a US passport attached to it. US will only link US passport to GE if one has US citizenship, I guess. Had to use Cdn passport. Once she got US Passport, the card in machine worked.

flyquiet

B1/B2 only? Not in my experience -- I had a TN added and subsequently that appears on the GE screen as an option. I use my NEXUS card (not passport) at US preclearance, and the machine then spits out the "c'mon in" card with photo, and a second receipt which is that I94 card (must always remember to wait for the second slip of paper).

canadiancow

No, they're really helpful because it tells you what you should expect. Like the CBSA/CBP officers "getting it wrong".

No, we just don't want to pick a fight at the airport.

I have. The CBSA officer said that I was a resident because I'm Canadian, and I had therefore filled out the wrong section of the declaration card, and she sent me to secondary.

She was absolutely wrong. But if I hadn't had my passport, she probably would have ESCORTED me to secondary and grilled me for an hour.

Then carry your passport and hand it over when requested?

It's not a matter of what is technically allowed. If the airline denies you boarding or the US refuses to let you enter, go run to the media crying. I don't care. I'll be on board my flight because I brought my passport.

Information on the CBSA website is irrelevant if the officers don't care.

That is why the anecdotal experience of misinterpretation of the rules is important.

Carry your passport, and you avoid the situations where the airline employees and border guards don't know the rules.

CZAMFlyer

To clarify: no airline has denied me boarding. No country has refused me entry. No-one at any airport has told me that I have insufficient documentation, or sent me to secondary, or that I'm wrong, or said I'm in the incorrect line, or that I'm using my Dad's status, or that I can't print out a boarding pass for a flight that day, or I'm too young to be SE, or any such misadventure. I've never felt compelled to follow up a grievance with any media, or CEO, VP, concierge or internet forum.

I flow through airports like water, and am the opposite of a drain on airline resources.

mapleg

I certainly have been asked at Pearson. Nexus machines were acting up..I went to the agent sitting near there and gave him my Nexus card figuring he would want to see it. He just said "Passport, please" (well, without the actual word please)