My NEXUS Card was questioned at JFK, ID checker asked one supervisor, then finally another. Second supervisor said, "Yeah that's the Canadian thing. We had a special training because two people complained that the ID was refused by TSA."

I imagine at least one of those complainers was on this board, so I just wanted to say Thanks!

And thanks for the data point that shows the "training" is as useful as teats on a boar hog.

Glad to hear at least one station (and a large one at that) got special training about NEXUS cards.

I do not know about new training, but I went through at PHL today and decided at the last moment to use the Nexus. No problem.

Maybe the word is getting out.

If only LAX would get the "special training"...

NEXUS is a "Canadian THING"?

What a bunch of ignorant morons.

That is what one of the TDCs said to me when my NEXUS card was denied at PHX last year. She asked me if I had a Canadian passport when I showed her my NEXUS card and she refused it. I told her I was a U.S. citizen and she said she asked for the Canadian passport because the NEXUS card was a Canadian document.

Actually, I think that's pretty good understanding of the concept by TSA standards.

I guess they weren't reading the part that says
"Issuing Coutnry/Pays d'emission/Pais de emision
USA"

And that is the truly frightening thing.

I agree; "Canadian thing" is not too bad of an explanation coming from a TSO, LTSO, or STSO. NEXUS is technically a program designed for frequent travel between Canada and the USA, by citizens/LPRs of either country. The airport iris scanning kiosks are located ONLY in Canada.


Remember, also, that the NEXUS card does not include the name or logo of either of the federal issuing agencies (CBSA or CBP). All it says is "NEXUS." I'm frankly rather surprised that TSA has decided to accept the NEXUS card (despite its being a WHTI-compliant document) because it does not show the name of the agency/agencies that issued it.


(Try opening an account at a small local bank in southern Alabama with the NEXUS card as a form of ID.....if it is recognized and accepted as valid ID, I'll give you $20.)

You're welcome. Maybe they said two people complained because I had to complain like 5-6 times.

It doesn't take "special training." Looking at their own website does the trick.

Yesterday, a 3 striper was working TDC and got it right with no hassle. LAX was supposed to be getting various updates to aid the ID checking process, but its been hit or miss.

Sad, but true.

Why would you be surprised? TSA is part of the SAME DEPARTMENT that puts out NEXUS on the US end. NEXUS is also one of the few documents that meets the enhanced REAL ID standard. Not to mention that NEXUS, FAST and SENTRI all have a standardized look, which should make them easier to learn.

From the web site:

It's got them all. It does not say it has to contain the name of the government entity, just that it must be issued by one.

What special training is needed to compare the name on a Nexus card to the name on a boarding pass? O wait.. TSA.. nevermind.

Reading comprehension skills.

Remember a GED is no even required to become a TSO. Just 1 yr security experience at Mcdonalds is good enough to be a national security expert.