The Pearson US DHS personnel are very professional compared to some of their colleagues in the US.

Canadian citizens are exempt from fingerprinting, though if you hold a work visa, they can fingerprint you -- I have had it done twice, although the US DHS people at Nexus have said that this is not normally done.

As for taking the scenic route, I would caution you not to do that as when they stop a vehicle, they can check everyone. Nothing worse than being held up at a border crossing as they verify everyone's documents. A couple of friends visited Niagara Falls by train and on the return trip to the US were held up for two hours at the border as inspectors went about doing their checks. Its as painful as sitting 2 hours on the tarmac!

thanks for your reply! how was your flight today :)

The Halifax-JFK flight was very nice. We came in over Cape Cod and then over Long Island, and it was nice and sunny with great views. The JFK-Raleigh segment was not so good. Our aircraft got in late to JFK, so we were delayed about an hour, and the weather turned downright gloomy as we got down into NC.

Yes Neuron, I have heard about delays by bus/train. Your advice is well recieved :D Earlier this week at work someone told me about an awesome amtrak cross country train that they took (chicago-los angeles or something like it). And it got me thinking of doing something like that next time I go through the US.
Speaking of sitting on a tarmac for 2 hours I have a funny story about sitting on the tarmac. This was about 4-5 years ago I was returning from Berlin, when air transat still served shoenefeld airport. We had a stop over in dusseldorf and the plane was on the tarmac for a good 3-4 hours after taking on passengers. The pilots told us, that there is no room for us to take off and that they will keep us informed, and the best part: they would not let us out to stretch out legs. (this was way before AT redid their cabins to leather seats, and when they still flew the L1011 tristar). Well, this is funny thinking about it now, but back then was quite the experience!