I had to wait 3 days for YVR interview. Wait for downtown Vancouver was 9 days.

Global Entry replacing NEXUS at US Preclearance?
 

I just came through CBP preclearance in YOW, and they have new Global Entry machines (with passport and fingerprint readers). The NEXUS machines were disabled.

The GE machine accepted me and gave me a receipt, but the CBP officer seemed to go thought the exact same process as if I did not use the machine; verify the passport, enter data in the computer, ask questions about residence and good being carried, etc. While I appreciate bypassing the CBP line, it confuses me why we now answer these questions three times: on the declaration card, on the GE screen, and in person. Is this just a temporary thing while they get used to the new system?

Quick question:

Is there a minimum period one's passport must be valid to enter the US (as a Canadian citizen)?

My passport expires the third week of May next year. I have a trip to Las Vegas for a conference during the first week of May. My next foreign travel won't be for several weeks. Is that likely to be an issue?

I haven't booked flights yet so I don't know if I'll be clearing US Customs via NEXUS (YYC/YEG/YWG), Global Entry (LAS, ORD) or the normal Customs process (DEN). It will depend on what route makes sense, schedule- and fare-wise. (And with a little luck, DEN will have GE by May. I suspect they may be one of the first airports to get it when GE expands.)

At YVR preclearance, they were just installing two GE kiosks. There were only two NEXUS kiosks, while I'm pretty sure there were four before. I asked the CBP officer if they were replacing the NEXUS kiosks with the GE ones, and she said that they would have two of each. I guess NEXUS members who are set up for GE can choose to use either NEXUS or GE in preclearance.

Press Release from CBP is here. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/...l/07262011.xml

It does make me wonder if they will eventually "integrate" the fee up to the $100 GE fee. But, this seems like good news for GE members to now be able to pre-clear in these Canadian airports.

This is great news. ^ If I know for sure that a GE kiosk will be available I won't have to bother filling out a US Customs Declaration form, just answer the on-screen questions and wait for the receipt.

Oooohh. Good point. I like this idea.^

Still wise to fill out the Customs declaration, in case the GE terminals are down.

BUT, will the minions that check to see if you 1) have the declaration form 2) have filled out the declaration form, let you through? At YVR they check you twice for them (sometimes at check-in too).

T1 YYZ Priority Lane - NOT!
 

Connecting via YYZ....US to Domestic. The lower of the 2 levels of security clearance points (i.e. on-level with domestic gates) had a priority lane...which was limited to the 7 cardholders of a branded c/c who paid for it. Without any signage clearly visible, as a Nexus holder, I was directed to go upstairs to the main departures security entry....pass through...and then go back down the escalator to the same level where only AX cardholders could enter. Another reason why a transborder connection is much more pleasant via a US hub than via YYZ.

I had the same experience on Monday. The line was out of the customs hall and down towards the UA check-in. I was through ther in 2 minutes, security in 5 and sitting in the lounge 10 minutes after arriving at the airport. Best $50 ever spent.

I've never seen it that bad - were the line matrons aggressive in pulling Nexus people through for entry? When I was there, I didn't notice separate signage for Nexus and I joined the short regular line and found my own way to the machines (which have been moved).

There was a separate queue outside of the customs hall for Nexus members. You just showed your card and in you went. Once inside they have changed the layout so that there is only one line for all the booths. Nexus (and crew) follow a separate line that goes around the outside and then back to the middle where the machines are.

The separate line outside and signs to that effect are a nice touch. The looks from the people in the standard line could melt glass.

Wow - this must be brand new, and these sound like great changes.

In the past, they have always let me as a Nexus member in right away, and they sometimes even called this out to the line that Nexus members can go through, and they just bring you in the small space around the rope (IIRC). But I like that they have a Nexus-specific line now.

I also am really glad to hear they finally have one line for regular customs. When they used to separate US citizens from others line (back in the T2 days is around the last time I saw that, I think), it made sense to have the two sides. But often, these days (at least prior to the change) they would only have booths on the right side of the hall open, but when the line on that sign fills out, they bring the balance of the line to that left side, and people have to do that weird front of the left line to back of the right line crossover. Meanwhile, about half the people coming in think they can walk directly into the line on the right. I did have to stand in that line earlier this year with my SO (this was before she had Nexus - she's got it now), and it was maddening. I can't imagine why its taken them this long to figure it out!

On the other hand, I wonder if this new Nexus line is at least partly due to the fact that GE machines will be moving in, and so GE members will be able to take advantage of this too. It makes sense. And then, perhaps to answer someone else's question from another post, in that line, you will just need a Nexus/GE card and BP to enter, and not the customs form filled out (since that's not required for GE).

What's the deal with bringing back beer into the US via land. They don't seem to give a crap on the US side, and I have brought in several cases of Labatt in the last year, which I verbally declare. Thoughts?