Many of us. CBP is trying to get the memo out to all GE stations that they don't need to check for a sticker; however, some of them (ORD) seem to be a little slow on the take up.

I was enrolled last July. There's no sticker in my passport - I had no idea such a thing even existed.

Note that I only use Nexus / GE for air, if that makes a difference.

Went through ORD in March with Nexus and we both used GOES with no questions about a missing sticker that we don't have. Worked great.

[Bolding Mine]

You both used Global Entry.

On US, if using online check in, you can add it there. But can't do it before then.

Got the 6-months-before-my-birthday renewal reminder e-mail a couple of weeks ago, and was conditionally approved with an interview scheduled in Ft Erie next Thursday.

The letter confirming the appointment stated they wanted to inspect the two cars that I have on file with them: my own and my wife's. Since I can only drive one car at a time, has anyone resolved this little problem in the past?

In an effort to keep this thread as on topic and useful to those reading it as possible several general discussion posts have been moved here.

tcook052
AC Forum Moderator

You betcha. Does GOES have another program in ORD?

GOES is an online system for enrolling in Trusted Traveler programs, while Global Entry is one of those programs. I wanted the terminology to be clear for future users who are unfamiliar with the programs.

I have had my Nexus card for about 3 years now. We have had no issues until a couple of days ago. I have had my drivers license for a couple of years now and the other day when I drove up to the border (entering back into Canada), the woman asked me what my license number was. Considering I have only had my car for about 3 months, I never bothered to memorize the license number. I have also never been asked this before considering how often I travel across the border (we go many times throughout the month).

After she asked me questions, such as if I had liquor with me and if I went to the duty free (which I answered no to both), she said I had to go to the Nexus Centre and give them my car information. If I didn't, I could have my card revoked. This shocked me as I had never heard this before.

Luckily, the Nexus centre was only a couple of minutes drive from the border. When I went in and told the Officer working, he asked me where I had heard that information. He said it was good to have that information on file but not mandatory and you can't get your Nexus revoked because of that.

Also, I have traveled by bus across the border and have had no problems using my Nexus card as ID. The same goes with in a vehicle when others are in it that do not have a Nexus card. The US side almost always has the lane open for Nexus holders only.

I've really started to think the Canada Customs people have gone nuts. I recently crossed at BC/WA into Canada with a friend for the day. I had a Canadian passport and my friend has a Taiwan passport and US green card.

Some of the questions (none of which were any of their business, especially as I had a right to enter Canada without answering, but my friend did not so I answered)....

1. how do you know each other
2. how long have you know each other
3. where/how did you meet
4. how are you friends if you live in two different places
5. who are you going to meet in Canada
6. are you sure you're not meeting anyone in Canada?

I can't wait for them to get a Nexus card so we can avoid this nonsense at the border.

Years ago crossing at the BC border alone I got the third degree about who I was meeting and such and was tempted to just say "none of your business".

Seriously, do they think I'm going to answer "we're going to meet Guido to drop off the load of heroin in my trunk"??

I don't think it's so much what you say as much as how you say it in these cases.

Most of my strange questions have come from the US side of things, and it kind of caught me off guard. Once when entering the US, I was asked where I live. Told him I live in Toronto. He then asked where I go to school, told him I'm not in school anymore and that I work. He then asked why I don't go to a school in New York. Such an odd question.

Another time I was crossing at Highgate Springs, VT in to the US late at night. The guy asked where I was coming from and why so late, so I told him Toronto. He then searched my car, and after he was done asked where I was coming from again, and I told him Toronto. He apologized and said he searched my car because he thought I was coming from Montreal and it was suspicious. I guess they're only human.

I agree that they can ask some odd questions though. I'm not sure being a citizen of said country frees us from answering their questions though. I think at the end of the day they have to let us in, but might have to jump through some hoops first. Luckily, NEXUS eliminates most of those questions.

I had a run in with Canada customs at yvr where I was not keen to answer questions that were not their business. They searched my stuff, asked me why I was being difficult and then let me go. Next time through no issues coming or going with Nexus. I think it's the attitude they take (and maybe also the spin you put on your interaction with them)

Yes. It's only an issue with a minority of CBSA agents. But they would probably get less push back from innocent travellers if they dropped the attitude.

Unfortunately, since there's no effective way to complain about abusive treatment at the border, the good agents will just end up suffering the pent-up resentment of the the victims of their colleagues.

When going through the Nexus lane, are the questions from the agents the same as the regular lanes? Do they usually ask fewer questions?