I went for my interview today. The man infront of me (in line to checkin) needed the iris scan so he did it right then and there. Took about 3-4 minutes to get it right but he was done right after. This is at YVR.

Had my interview today after waiting almost 2 months for an appointment at YYZ. Due to a ground stop at JFK, my 2 hr cushion from landing to NEXUS interview turned into landing at T1 right when my interview was supposed to begin at T3. I ended up showing to my interview 25 min late, but they were happy to accommodate.

Process was pretty straightforward up until the point we got to the iris scan. I wear regular clear contacts, and the agent demanded I remove my contacts. I had no lens case, no solution, and they didn't even have a bottle of water I could use to keep the contacts moist in my palm.

Long story short... I removed my contacts to get the iris scan done. Waited an eternity for the system to do its thing, as I watched my contacts dry up in my palm. Finished with just barely enough time for me to get them back in my eyes.

Haven't had time to look, but was the agent in the right or wrong by demanding I remove my contacts for the iris scan?

On the way back to the US, the lone Global Entry terminal in YYZ T1 was broken, with 3 idle NEXUS machines. Next time...

Or, perhaps coming into Canada for the reason that there is no other way to enter using a trusted traveler program.

Applied - June 18, 2012
Conditional - July 24, 2012 (37 days)
Approval - JUly 28, 2012 (41 days)

Found a cancellation and was able to get in to YYC today for the interview. Watched the 7 minute video, had the basic questions (and some confused looks when asked about my employer and what we do), and then a few smiles and things were done.

Had my 2 1/2 year old daughter with me, seemed to make the agents super relaxed.

It looks like the processing time back to become shorter ^ unlike in the past the conditional approval was granted in 8 to 9 weeks.

Applied June 19, 2012. Still in 'pending review'. :(

Well - now is where we start to guess.

Is it possible if you start filling in the info ahead of team they start background checks earlier? I had pre-filled all of my info about 3 months earlier but debated applying as I wasn't sure whether it was going to be worthwhile. When i submitted my app, it was simply a matter of confirming and sending payment. *Maybe* they started the background checks earlier? Or maybe they just can't find anything on me... :P

Video? We never got to see any video...

Same. Then again we only paid $50 so maybe the cost to make the video caused the price increase. ;) Things change. :)

same thing here....

My gawd. This is going to like the part of the thread about the stickers.

"Stickers? I didn't get a sticker."

"Video. I didn't see a video."

"Trophy? I didn't get one."

In any event, in real news, the layout of the Nexus screens today (the questions) were brand new, with 2 questions, but 2 multiple parts to them. A little confusing for those of us who are on autopilot. The food question is quite prominent.

I dare anyone to try get a screen grab.

Just as I was getting autopiloted into hitting NO and Continue LOL

I was at YYZ twice. Once for myself, and 2 days later for my wife. It seems like there is no standardized introduction to the program. I was interviewed by the Canadian side, followed by the US who told me things that they didn't tell my wife. When I went, no one was being introduced to the machine.

When I was there on Friday for the 2nd time, I was just sitting around waiting and three people were shown how to use the machine. They didn't bother showing my wife. In any case, I played around with it on my own :P

One thing that bothered me when the US guy was talking to me was he told me if I arrive with less than 2 hours before my flight I'll automatically be flagged for a secondary and will have to go to the back of some line. Not sure how true this is or how it makes me "at risk" for some immigration violation. I always get to the airport way too early anyway.

BS of the highest degree. I haven't arrived at the airport with more than 1.5 hours since I got my card 5 years ago and I've only sent to secondary twice. Heck last week I arrived 30 minutes before my flight and nobody batted an eye.

And even if you are sent to secondary, you should get priority there as well.

+1.

I usually haven't even checked in at 2 hours prior, much less arrived at pre-clearance. I usually arrive at about T-90, check in, then make it to the kiosk (GE now) between 60 to 90 minutes prior to flight. The couple of times I've been randomed, plus a couple where I've had to go into secondary for answering yes to a question on the form, I've been in and out within 3-5 minutes.