Nexus vs GE
 

Dumb question time... please be gentle with me.

I've been a NEXUS user for years. Recently renewed, and had GE enabled. Haven't used GE yet. Flying to the US from YYZ tonight. Despite my reading threads on this board, and looking at the websites, I still don't have a clear understanding of what choice (if any) I face tonight. I take it that I can choose to use either NEXUS or GE? If that's correct, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Or, to put it another way, is there any reason I should switch from my usual practice of using NEXUS, and use GE? If so, why?

Thanks!

Glad I found this page.

I have an interview at Whirpool in NY for my wife and my kid. Myself I already hold a NEXUS card. I have not yet used it to cross the border.

Only potential issue, I am travelling from Canada. My questions:

1. Can I go to Whirlpool bridge with my Nexus card and tell/show the officer I have an appointment on the other side of the bridge for wife & kid?
2. If above is NO, can I go to a different bridge and use the Nexus line and tell/show the officer I have appointment at Whirlpool?

Thanks

Yes, you can use either. One of the main advantages of using GE is it's not necessary to complete the little blue form we usually have to fill out (because the machine asks you the same questions). That being said, I always fill one out anyway in case the machines aren't functional, and last time I entered the US via YYZ, the border agent collected it anyway.

I very much doubt that...the whole point of Nexus is you are OK to use it but your wife and kids are not. So using any nexus lane or crossing is out of the question (with your wife and kids in the car).

Thanks for your reply.
Sounds like I have to use Rainbow bridge normal lengthy lane and drive to Whirpool. Damn..

If you have an understanding wife, you could always have them walk across the Rainbow Bridge and enter the US on foot; you could then drive across and make use of the Nexus lane with only yourself in the car, and pick them up in the US.

Suspicious? Perhaps. But it is a way to be able to use the NEXUS lane and still get everyone across the border legally.

Are you married? ...:D lol
Have you come across a pissed off wife with a baby in her hands?? ...Better you dont.

Things are usually not busy this time of year. The advice about not using NEXUS unless everyone has a card is correct. Call the NFBC info line when you get to St., Catharines and if the wait is short at Lewiston, use that one. The drive to the Whirlpool down the Robert Moses Parkway is easy. The trip from the Rainbow Bridge is ..... memorable.

1. No
2. No

Also, I wouldn't recommend having them walk across Rainbow so you can use the NEXUS line - in my interview, the CBSA agent made a point to mention that's grounds for losing your NEXUS privilege.

On the good side, if all goes well with the interview at the Whirlpool Bridge office, you can ask them politely for a pass to cross Whirlpool to get the iris scans done. Not sure if they still do it, but they let us cross Whirlpool without even paying a fee, given that we specifically requested the iris scans.

Iris scan is not done at Whirpool? We were thinking of staying over in the US for a few days.
If not, then we have to get into canada for the scan, back in the US for the vacation.
Also, our appointment at whirpool is at 7.30pm. Are the centers in Canada still open at around that time if Iris scan needs to be done?

Thanks. I wondered about that. Maybe I'll try GE just for the fun of it, and bring the blue form just in case. I'll report back.

Wow, I didn't realize they had appointments that late. Iris scans are done at Whirlpool, but on the Canadian side. The interview is on the US side. I'm not sure about the current hours for iris scans - probably best to call and check. The iris scans can be done as a walk-in, so if you want to stay in the US for a few days, it would probably be best to get the iris scans done on the way back or later.

DEN definitely has GlobalEntry now. I used it in early May, and my wife used it in late May. Just keep right as though you're an American citizen (even if you're Canadian). The signs are pretty clear.

Anybody know what is going on with the domestic Nexus line for security at YVR?
3 trips this month and the line took like 20 minutes each time. The normal line is much quicker, I finally took the regular line and laughed at app the Nexus people waiting line.
Isn't it supposed to be quicker?

Indeed, I should have been more precise. As a NEXUS member with finger prints on record, one can use GE in any airport where available. This is what was asked in the post that I was responding to. :p