Do you happen to have evidence of this? My card was recently in a stolen backpack, so I have re-applied, been conditionally approved, and awaiting the day of my interview. I can live with going to YYZ without Nexus for now, but my life would be greatly relaxed if I could use GE on the way out from YYZ.

Nexus and GE are different programs, and the rules are different for each. Nexus is a joint Canada-US trusted traveler program, while GE is US-only.

Nexus requires you to carry your card with you to use. In the past, for air travel, you didn't have to show it most of the time, but were subject to have membership canceled if you are asked to produce it while using the kiosks. The new kiosks require you to enter the card (so I hear - haven't actually used them yet).

GE only requires your passport to use - there is no card required. Nexus members are given GE privileges (but AFAIK, don't officially have GE "membership"). You insert a passport into the maachine - in fact, many GE members don't have a card.

The trick in your case has to do with your current status. When one is approved at their interview, they can use GE right away, even before they receive a card, based on their Nexus membership being active. It probably depends on what the membership status is during the time you are waiting as a conditional approval, even though you were previously approved.

Probably best to call or visit a GE (or Nexus) office and ask them (US side, if a Nexus office) to check the status of your GE membership. That would be the most definitive answer you can probably get.

Side comment - I hate the new Nexus machines. They are far slower to use, and more finicky. I suppose one way to look at the new setup as a plus, is that it also prevents those who forgot to bring their cards from using the machines...which in theory might avoid the problem of not being able to produce a card during a random check.

Well now that is interesting. The one and only time I tried using a NEXUS machine (the old one, at YVR) I cancelled it halfway through and took myself, my wife, and kids over to the regular line (with the automated passport scanner) that was much faster than NEXUS check-in. If the new NEXUS machines are even slower then I doubt I'll ever try to use them again.

In my experience, I'm done with the new NEXUS machines in less than 60 seconds (used three times so far). Not sure if that is "slower" than the old machines (which I used exactly once) but I certainly don't consider the new machines to be slow by any stretch.

+1

Just used the new machines for the first time on Sunday. Like you, it look less than 60 seconds. Found if I just looked into the camera and moved closer and closer until the dot turned green, it snapped a picture and I was pretty much good to go. My wife was able to get a capture even faster.

All in all, it went great. Can't say it was any better than the old machines (never had a problem with them, other than being down).

Are these the new machines?
 

My wife and I used NEXUS at YYZ on Dec. 12th. Two of the 3 machines were not working and the third was slow (20+ people in the line). We had to insert our NEXUS cards to get started so I think this is the new machine. It was not clear how to insert the card as the slot was too wide. Anyway we finally got it right and after that the iris scan was faster than the old machines. Reliability of the new machines seems to be a problem. They did not seem to be "brand new" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

i was conditionally approved for nexus but the next available day at pearson isnt for a long time. how do I go about trying to get an earlier day? should I try calling them?

assuming that this can only be done online: which page should I continue to refresh? the "monthly" view of, lets say, january? or is there a separate page that would recognize cancellations faster?

There's no separate page for cancellations. Just use the GOES system to "change my appointment" (or words to that effect) and you'll see an updated availability. If the new date works for you, choose it, otherwise simply log out and try the next day.

Indeed. It may also help to search a couple different times a day to see if anything opened up. Trying once a day may be less successful than trying it out two or three times in the course of a day. This seems to work better for more near-term appointment selection.

thanks for the info. fingers crossed

I did it a year and a half ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy, but there were two pages I would flip between (one had the next available appointment, then I would click back to another page, then click on the one that gave me the next appointment again). I did this for maybe 5-10 minutes continuously and was able to get an appointment that was ~1 week away. Did this for myself and my wife.

Ok...used the new Nexus machines at T1 YYZ yesterday. What a PITA. Seems like the government had way too much input into the design of the machines.

My card was read quickly, but the fact that you have to enter it into a deep, what I would call a kind of black hole, before it will read it is ridiculous. I'd be surprised if they're not seeing a rash of cards left behind these days, since you can't actually see the card once you've placed it in the machine.

I took it out before the iris scan (not sure if you are supposed to do that or wait until after the process is complete, but if the latter, even more reason to think that many might leave their cards behind. It wasn't so difficult for the camera to take the picture, per say, and like the orange light turning to green when you're in the right position much better now. However, after each try, it didn't recognize me, and on the third, said I wasn't a member. Ok. So went over to the next machine, and put the card in, and it took another two tries on the iris scan to get it to work. Once there, went quick.

Wish the Canadian folks would get together with the US folks (it is a joint program, isn't it?) and design a common machine for entry into either country. Is that too much to ask? I know it is...technically using GE into the US, but still. <end rant>

(First Post) Looking for some advice/help for a trip I am making to Canada this summer. This will be my first time traveling to Canada via air, I have crossed the border via car many times. I get nervous when traveling by air, it will probably be worse for me now having customs to clear, so any hints/walkthru to make the process easier helps. I will be traveling alone.

I have a Nexus card without the iris scan, global entry and a US passport.

I will be traveling from MSP to YYZ to YYG.

1. Do I have to fill out a customs form on the plane when traveling from MSP to YYZ?

2. Can I use the Global entry Kisok when I get to YYZ from MSP to go thru Canadian customs? I don't think I can use the nexus kiosk because I don't have my iris scan? Can I get the iris scan while I am in the Toronto airport (walk-in)? If they don't have global entry kiosks, do I just get in line with everybody else?

3. How long does it take to get thru Canadian customs in YYZ ? Is 1.5 hours between flights enough time? Is it less time if I don't check a bag?

4. Returning to the US, do I clear customs in YYZ or MSP? Can I use Global entry kisok?

5. Is there a difference between the global entry kiosks and nexus kiosks?

Thank you in advance!

Welcome to FT!

1. Yes

2. Global Entry is used to enter the US only; there are no Global Entry kiosks when entering Canada. You can't use the Nexus kiosks since your iris scans aren't on file, but you might want to ask a CBSA agent if you can use the crew line. I don't see this as being a problem, but just ask first. If they don't allow you to use the crew line, then yes, you'll stand in line with everyone else. As for getting an iris scan done, they typically allow walk-ins but I don't know how long the process will take -- you might not have enough time during your layover.'

3. You should be fine with 1.5 hours, but it'll be tight if you're not able to use the crew line. Keep in mind you'll have to re-clear security before taking your flight to YYG, but since you have a Nexus card that should be pretty quick.

4. You use a Global Entry kiosk in YYZ to clear customs on your way back to MSP.

5. Yes. The Global Entry ones are a pleasure to use ;)