I have more success with the GE kiosk than the Nexus Kiosk's iris scan at YYZ T3's CBP checkpoint.

I read that exact page before i attempted my "stunt". It is ambiguous to me. The relevant sections regarding air travel say:

"Canadian citizens flying to the United States must present a valid passport to confirm their citizenship and identity. A NEXUS card is also acceptable when using a self-serve kiosk located in the pre-clearance area at designated Canadian airports."

So this says to me that a NEXUS card at a Kiosk is an acceptable replacement to the passport requirement. Second, on this page: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/doc-eng.html it has check marks beside Nexus and Passport. Checkmarks in multiple boxes in this chart represent an OR condition and not an AND.

Third, the page says:

"The Government of Canada continues to recommend that Canadian citizens carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States. "

It is only a recommendation and not a requirement.

I see no language on this site the explicitly says to me, you must also carry a passport. It is ambiguous at best.

Does anyone have an official government site that states definitively that you must carry a passport?

--
Jay

The 5 times I've tried to use my Nexus card only to fly to the US I was immediately asked for my passport, both the airlines and CBP.

Thanks for the advice. Woke up early this Sunday AM and checked and there was an open slot for YUL in 2 Saturday's 30/06/12!

How about these:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexu...uveid-eng.html - this would work - this is the statement that announces Nexus cards as being valid id for land and marine only. See specifically the below relevant paragraph (bolding is in the original statement:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...f5095-eng.html - the Nexus member guide, where a bullet in the "Terms and Conditions" section says (bolding mine):

Furthermore, you correctly quote the section that states you can use can use the card when using a kiosk. What happens if you are there when the kiosks are down. Or when you eventually get a random referral. Or when you have to go inside to declare food, etc. In any of those cases, you're no longer at a kiosk, and no longer have a valid id. Not to mention the issues it causes with the airlines.

Look, you can argue with us on this board all you want, but many of us have used this many times and are trying to give you good advice based on our experience of frequently using Nexus. And you can continue not to take the easy step of slipping your passport in your pocket or carry on bag when you travel across the border. But get into a situation where you need it, and if you're really lucky, you'll just be denied from checking into your flight that day. If you get into customs, no argument from you will prevent them from terminating your membership, and you'll make it very difficult for yourself to cross the border in the future.

Just some advice from someone who has used Nexus at least monthly for the last 5 years or so. But really, what do i know?

What you need to understand is that entry rules do not have to agree with program rules. Here is a summary of Nexus cards.

WHTI
Nexus cards are WHTI compliant. Period. Any method of travel.

TIMATIC
Nexus cards are listed as a valid replacement for a Passport. Period. Any method of travel as long as the person embarks in Canada. This is important as it means an airline can't be fined for only letting you on with a Nexus card.

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
CBSA/CBP/Nexus program rules
As quoted above, Nexus rules require that your passport be carried as well, if traveling by air, as a condition of using the card.

So is there any rule that says you will be denied entry for not carrying your passport when traveling by air?
No. In fact the rules are quite clear that it's an accepted document. However, there is a rule that says doing so will result in you losing trusted traveler status for life.

Does it make sense?
No. But thems the rules.

+1

jfroot is simply trying to play a game - a "stunt" as he calls it.

If he's bent on ignoring your advice, let him ignore it.

Another reason to bring your passport: all Nexus members (including children as of Feb 2012) are eligible for GE, which requires the use of passports at the kiosks. I needed to add GE for my children, and the Nexus office in SEA said that I didn't need an appointment. It was a breeze - just needed to get fingerprints.

Since I became a member of Nexus and GE last year, I have entered the US on transborder flights only twice, both times at YVR. Each time, a half dozen people were waiting for the Nexus kiosks, but the GE kiosks were wide open.

My sample size is small. Has anyone else noticed shorter preclearance lines for GE than for Nexus at YVR, YYZ, or other Canadian airports?

A couple of months ago, I drove with my family to Vancouver. Stopped by at YVR and got the iris scans. Took about 30-40 minutes for all four of us on a Saturday afternoon. No appointment necessary, as you said. It's important to double check the hours that iris scans are offered. At YVR, they do iris scans until 3:30 pm, even though the office is open longer that that.

Thanks for the advice.

If the OP doesn't take your advice, at least learn from the examples of others of what can happen when you show up at even a land crossing without a passport:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4299402/

GE line is always shorter at YYZ.

Hope not a repost.
Interesting article on Forbes about a guy travelling USA/Canada with only his Nexus card

Evidently Delta Never Got the Memo On America's Express Border Crossing Program

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebe...ssing-program/

Morale of the story: Just bring the passport ...

Card arrived today, June 18. I forgot they took my photo during my fingerprinting last year. Boy I look old.

@ YVR, GE machines are right beside the Nexus kiosks. IMO, GE is much easier to use. Don't have to play around with iris scan, "Move up a little, move back a little, move right a little, iris capture unsuccessful."

Plus. you don't have to fill out the blue card - one less thing to worry about.

I've never had a wait for GE and before GE, rarely was anyone using Nexus. Having said that, it's still hard to believe the line-ups at pre-clearance for the regular folks.

Apparently, some journalists don't do facts very well.

Forget about the main premise of the piece, the basic facts about the program are wrong in the article. He says the program costs $100 for 5 years (which is what GE costs, not Nexus). The article has a posting date of June 11, and says Nexus is 3 years old (perhaps he can explain how I've had my membership for more than 5 years, now). And I'm not sure where he got the figure about it taking about two hours to apply.

Don't think this has been posted here yet but it doesn't say Nexus applies to Privium.