BUMP

Does anyone know if there are Nexus machines for Canada-US connecting passengers at YVR?

First ever secondary inspection at US Customs YYZ
 

Last week, I had my first ever secondary customs and immigration inspection at YYZ on my way to RDU.

I've had Nexus, and prior to 9/11, I had the other pass that used hand geometry (name escapes me right now).

I've probably travelled hundreds of times to the US over the last 20 years for business and pleasure.

The conversation went something like this:

Agent: We wanted to talk to you as we notice you've been going to the US a lot recently.
Ckccan: Yes, well, that's why I have Nexus.
Agent: Don't get smart with me.

There was a lengthy quiz (20+ minutes) where I was asked to produce passport, Nexus card, my business card, travel details etc. I was attending a briefing at IBM and was chastised for not having any sort of hard copy agenda.
Explaining that I worked for a US parent company at their Canadian office got me nowhere.

Eventually, the agent seemed to get bored, and told me to "go ahead". We'll see next week when I go down to the US. Even at times when I travelled a lot more frequently, (with and without an L1A visa) I never ever had a secondary inspection.


So much for "trusted traveler"....

ckc

I'd like to know too? Will be doing this in a few weeks.

First time after hundreds of trips and you're complaining? Granted the officer's apparently boorish manner was uncalled for, but being selected once for further inspection out of hundreds of trips does not give you any right to complain.

Nexus passport info update - info I just recieved from office just now
 

So after going through this thread, I was still confused as to whether I can now update my new passport info online or whether I still need to go in person so that they can make a paper copy (I am in the process of renewing my passport and will receive a new one this Friday). The GOES website seems to indicate that an online change is adequate, but some posters here seem to have been told that the office still needs a paper copy and so a visit is required.

The Nexus office at YYC just called me a minute ago regarding my question: she stated that if I had an online GOES account or had signed up for one (which I do), that updating the passport info there is sufficient. She said that if I have any problems updating it online, then I'll need to make an appointment. I asked her that I had heard that they still needed a paper copy - but she said that that wasn't the case. She said something about how 'the US guys aren't always here so sometimes when they aren't we give them a paper copy' - I don't quite understand what she meant by that, but she reassured me that just updating it online in GOES is all I need to do...

I'd still go to an office and do it. You don't need an appointment to do that. Only reason is because of my recent experience.

I went to the NEXUS office in Toronto with a question about the program (I'm already a member, the question topic is irrelevant to this conversation). The CBSA person looked up my account and asked me if I knew my Passport information is out of date and that there are consequences for not updating the information.

However, she realized what she was saying when she saw that the last time I was issued a new Passport was Feb 2007, while I enrolled in NEXUS in April of 2008.

Just my two cents.

Your first mistake was your "NEXUS answer." US or Canadian officers, they can make life very difficult for you.

I've learned it's best with both agencies to swallow your pride and be submissive to them. Obviously, I wasn't there, but I would bet you would have been there for two minutes rather than 20 had you not yanked the guy's chain.

As of about seven or eight months ago, no.

I found it faster to just depart and re-enter as if you just checked into a flight.

Thanks - I will plan on updating online and whenever I get an opportunity drop by the office to also provide them with a paper copy. My only concern (again a point of confusion with Nexus) is that I've heard that the YYC office will sometimes refuse to even see people without an appointment for passport updates - sometimes they'll point to their 3:30pm-4pm open windows (or whenever it is) and say to come back then to be seen without an appointment. Anyways, I'll have 6mos to update in person so I'll try to make it there anyways after the online update...

In general I find that front line CBSA & CBP staff are weary of NEXUS. A combination of fear of job security and being automated out of a job and a general NEXUS = license to smuggle attitude.

The correct response to a general statement from CPB is always nothing. Say nothing unless you are answering a direct question. Be polite and toss in a couple of Yes Sirs/Ma'ams.

Drove across the Lewiston/Queenston bridge early Wednesday AM on my way to BNIA to have a one day mileage run.

Went through NEXUS line, scanned my card fine. Then had a 10 minute lecture about the number of trips I make before having the agent search my trunk for 10 mins.

So I'll agree 100% that having the NEXUS card is seen as slap in the face to some of these guys and they're using the excuse of harsher penalties if you get caught as a trusted traveler to be even more excessive in their inquiries.

I had a chat with a CBSA guy at a Canadian airport recently. Mentioned that there's more leniency issued to passengers at the airport, given the financial implications.

Land crossings tend to be a little different, as it's much easier to bounce someone. Or to just kill boredom.

I've done about a dozen land crossings with NEXUS, primarily at the Blaine and Detroit/Windsor Tunnel. Knock on wood, but never got the kind of treatment some people here have. They've peeked in the trunk a few times, but that's about it.

My Dad went in for his Nexus interview today (I've had Nexus for a year, finally convinced him to get it) and he mentioned that they told him to put the declaration form into the kiosk. The kiosk than returned it. I've never heard of such a thing from the times I've crossed, does this sound right?

Where would you put it in? I don't remember seeing anything that looked like it would accept a form.. I guess it would save paper so they don't have all those cards to toss later.

I supposed it could go into the chute where the card comes out now.. but that doesn't make a ton of sense to me..

I've been Nexus for just over a year. I've never bought anything in the US to bring home, so never had any questions.

Down in the SW US today, home tomorrow, 48hrs. Had to buy a bathing suit and shirt to hang out by the pool. Value about $80.

Do I just claim this amount on the Blue form and it fits within the personal deduction.


My wife is telling me I have to fill out some big forms that they gave us at the Nexus interview involving Traveller Declaration Cards and credit cards and that I have to stand in the normal line etc.