GE now part of Nexus - and a caveat or two
 

It's awesome that Global Entry is now part of NEXUS. And Sentry if you have that for Mexico crossing.
If you plan to fly into Canada, you will need a Retina Scan at a center that does this.
The entire process is simple (providing you have a clear criminal background), and once cleared, NEXUS can be your most valuable travel tool, especially when driving over busy bridges between the US and CANADA. When using Global Entry, you need your Passport for sure. NEXUS is not a Passport replacement for Global travel

There are a few caveats that the Interviewing CANADIAN officer told me when crossing into Canada for a US citizen. NO brochures for business in the NEXUS lane, other than ONE or TWO. No Samples. You can't appear to be soliciting heavily. If they find a box of sales brochures or samples, it's an issue. Also, I was asked if when in Canada I was going to be "Directing" Canadian Citizens as in "Supervising" them. I said no because I certainly was not going to. But the Brochure "quantity" issue was a surprise to me. I sometimes have 10 or 15 sales brochures of my company with me in my brief case. I now make sure I have them waiting at my locations in Canada, and do not cross with more than 1 or 2 as the Customs Agent told me.

He also pointed out it's a "One Strike you are OUT" program. Any infractions, you leave the program permanently. But I assume we all knew this.

A TSA Agent and I were discussing me presenting my NEXUS card as my Picture ID at an airport security checkpoint recently. He said "OK, so the Government says you are a Trusted Traveler. We'll just make sure of that when you go through our checkpoint." He then added "It's good you have this. Changes are coming. Security will get tighter.

Interesting.

So we're becoming more and more like a police state. guilty till searched & groped right?

Brochures are considered commercial goods and as part of the NEXUS agreement you may not bring commerical goods through the NEXUS lane. I have the same issue in reverse, I live in Canada and travel in the US. I have removed all brochures from my travel bags. If I need them I send them afterwards. Not worth losing Nexus over a sales brochure.

Oh Brave New World, that has such people in it.... or something like that.

Who knows if he was right, but he definitely said that "Changes were coming, and it was good I had my NEXUS Card."

Very interesting indeed.

Agreed indeed. ;)

Again, the Canadian Customs Officer told me that ONE or TWO brochures were no problem. After all, you can't truly "Solicit" with one or two. But you are surely correct. I'd play it safe. Not worth losing that card. It's too valuable to me (and most).

The changes are already here in test phase. The program is called TSA Pre.

It is available at 7 airports and only with specific airlines. Non US citizen's aren't invited either.

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/escreening.shtm

You know I like nexus for the pure ease of travel. As a leisure traveler with no criminal background or intentions, I like the fact I can go to the GE or Nexus machine, get scanned, answer a few questions and walk to a customs guy give him the receipt and walk on out. Fast , simple, no hassles its suppose to be like this.

How often does someone who flies 50, 75 or 100 times a year all of a sudden does something stupid, on purpose? I guess I get frustrated at the silliness of some of the rules such as the recent threads of brochures for the purpose of solicitation. How easy is it to be printed for you in the US or shipped down? Carry cash in excess of $10,000, really how easy is it to wire, transfer, and move funds in excess of $10,000……..but I rant and this is not the forum for this…….. I like Nexus its easy and fun.

I didn't realize there was another interview for renewals. Hope the wait time isn't as bad later on when I need to renew.

For GE: What are the typical questions asked? I've read somewhere that there isn't the general "food" question (which is all encompassing and kind of sucks) but more specific items?

THANK YOU! I had not seen this.

Interesting.

This happened to me as well this week. Was really only a 4 minute inconvenience.

When entering Canada, if referred to secondary, a Nexus member does not get to jump the queue.

Not officially, but in practice, yes. I will often bring a food item on purpose just to go through secondary when the line to security in YYZ T1 gets out of control - the secondary exit dumps almost right into the security area and you basically skip what could be an hour or more wait to get out of customs. I've seen the exit line into security stretch to 2hours or more on a Monday morning when the screening dimwits start backing things up - so always peek into the hall before you enter, and if it looks out of control, grab a bagel and bring it in with you - declare food on the machine - and go right into the secondary room.

I walk in, just mention "Nexus holder with food to clear", and I'm directed to the next inspector who clears me in a minute or less.

Thanks! Nice tip! ^

Wow - maybe it's just the times I travel, but I've never had to wait more than a few minutes in the security line going to the US. I've seen them metering people into the pre-clearance customs hall at times when its full, and waits over an hour for that (not to mention, people at the desk past customs needing to rebook flights), but never had trouble with security.

You shouldn't need to use the above method too much longer, as supposedly CATSA will need to have a priority line for Nexus users going into the US (presumably, like the ones they have for domestic). Sometime later this year, I think.

I wish that Canada and the US would come up with a common agriculture scheme. My relatives in Canada all do their grocery shopping in the US, and I find you can import many things that you shouldn't be able to import (meat, cheese, breads) at/post customs.