Or it's related to the "implanted explosives" nonsense.

You are correct that it would defeat the purpose of the program, but it's not like government agencies haven't tried to neuter the value of expedited-service programs before.

Are there any disadvantages of using NEXUS for Global Entry?

Since NEXUS is both cheaper to apply for, and provides extra benefits when transiting through Canada, it seems like a no brainer to sign up for NEXUS instead of Global Entry.

Am I missing something? It seems the only downside is that I can't just stop by IAD for the interview, but that's not a deal breaker for me.

Depends on what you're doing. Nexus is fine for us/Canada but not for international from other locales

Ps if you are doing both, do nexus first. GE is than a slam dunk and less expensive

Nexus Appointments can be Difficult
 

A big disadvantage is that getting a NEXUS appointment in Toronto or Montreal at least can be very problematic. For the last month or so appointments were available only in September or October. At the suggestion of another FTer I was persistent and got an appointment (as a result of a cancellation) in July and planned a business trip around it, but otherwise I would have canceled my application and just got Global Entry.

Note that getting an appointment in places like Buffalo are much, much easier.

Does anyone have a general contact for these people? I'm really quite concerned that a program based on trust is going down down the same hole that so many well-intentioned governmental programs wind up in. I paid my money, I went through a background check and interview, I was fingerprinted, the least they can do is honor their part of the bargain. The increasing number of reports about this type of treatment are beginning to add up.

NEXUS members can use the global entry kiosks at no additional cost. CBP site I think you just need to go down and give your fingerprints.

It sounds like it is a pain scheduling the NEXUS interview, but I'm just planning ahead for international travel next year so I have time to deal with that. I hate waiting in lines, so $10/year for NEXUS or $20/year for Global Entry is worth it for just one international trip a year.

You may be too easily disgruntled. Sounds like they were 1) looking for somebody coming in on one of those flights and you happened to fit the general profile or 2) Every nth person coming through got the drill and you happened to be the nth; or 3) You just happened to look particularly shifty to the agent on duty. (It happens, on one entry into the UK from Ireland years ago, Scotland Yard detectives were looking for an IRA bomber associate and out of a rather long queue of passengers, I was one of the few that got pulled for the interrogation. Sometimes you just shouldn't take things too personally.)

This sounds like the first time this has happened to you. If so, I'd like to point out that one incident does not add up to a "trend" for you personally. And overall, I haven't heard of that many anecdotes about this sort of treatment of GE members, to lead me to believe that there is some sort of institutionalized problem developing with this program yet.

I used the word "trend" since there are several other similar reports on this thread.

Yes, and I could say that I got a "CD" error the last few times I used GE ... I know exactly why, and won't call it a failure of the GE system as a whole. Just a problem with a visa conversion.

GE is a trusted traveler program that allows for random screening. We all, as per our human nature, will report the cases where we are checked, not the cases where the system works flawlessly. (This is the case for all of the travel fora on the internet ... we love to complain, we are much harder pressed to write up praise).

As such, no, I don't see a trend here.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

PS = For example, regardless of my GE issue, I still got out of customs before my wife at DFW, thanks to the GE exit lane.

My experience with the current GE @ IAH.

I was the only one and walked across the entire immigration hall (huge btw) as i approached the GE station a border agent approached me to inform me this was for GE only. (uh ok) I proceeded without saying a word to scan my passport and fingers. The agent then asked to see my passport (for proof I was really a member of GE) like the machine confirming and printing a receipt was not enough already. After the staring contest ended I proceeded to baggage.

Customs agent was totally overwhelmed 1 for 100s of travelers, and I was first in the GE Customs line. He took me and sent me on my way quickly.

This IS a definite 'trend' at IAH, particularly if you walk to the far side of the immigration hall. :(

If someone else slips through, will they precheck before the precheck?

Global Entry App Still Pending Review
 

It has been 4 weeks and 2 days now and both mine and my wife's applications still says "pending review" in GOES. Anybody have experience with it taking this long? We are both self employed and we have moved twice in the past 5 years. Also, we answered "yes" to have you ever been convicted or plead guilty to a midemeanor including midemeanor traffic violations. Speeding is a misdemeanor, right? Anyway, in explanation I said that we have only plead guilty to misdemeanor traffic violations such as speeding. Any ideas on why is taking so long?

I'm not sure if I would have mentioned speeding tickets, unless you were arrested for them or received points on your license for them. I'm not a lawyer, but I think it has to be more than just speeding in order to be a misdemeanor, perhaps speeding more than 20mph over the posted limit or something that would result in suspension of your license in whatever state--and furthermore, all states have different laws in this regard. I seem to recall when I applied the instructions said to "omit minor traffic violations."

Well, it did NOT say to omit minor traffic violations 4 weeks ago! It stated "have you ever plead guilty to or been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the US or any other country" (might not be an exact quote)...and then it said "this includes misdemeanor traffic violations". In MS, speeding is a misdemeanor. I assume paying the ticket without going to court is the same as pleading guilty. I explained in the explanation that I only answered yes to the question because of minor traffic violations such as speeding or running a stop sign and have never plead guilty or been convicted of any offense greater than this MINOR traffic violation. I was very reluctant to answer yes to this question, but the instructions stated that if any ommission occured the application would be denied and I would have to start over and pay again. If they intended to not include speeding, etc., it was very poorly worded. In hindsight, I would answer NO to this question. I have a friend that works for Customs and Border Protection (he has no involvement in the area of GE and didn't even know what the program was...and cannot assist me)...I asked him after the fact and he specualted that I should have answered NO. I am afraid now that by simply checking "YES" on the application, my app has been flagged for more extensive review and no telling when it will finally be approved!