Safe travels.
George.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Nexus Lanes
I am sure, if you have crossed the border into Canada at Peace Arch or Blaine Truck Crossing, that you have noticed the NEXUS lanes which usually flow pretty freely. I have had a NEXUS card for five years (I just renewed) and find it a real time saver.
It is part of a trusted traveler program which means that both the US and Canada do a background check on the applicants. NEXUS cardholders typically pass through the border crossings swiftly (more often than not, I just get waved through but they sometimes ask some questions), but the border agents have the option to conduct a thorough check. That has yet to happen to me. In order to use the NEXUS lanes, everyone in the car needs to carry a card. There is also a zero-tolerance policy for what you can take across the border. If a cardholder is in violation, the card can be confiscated, so if one is in doubt about what they can take, it is better to take the regular lanes than to risk losing the NEXUS privilege.
If a cardholder chooses, they can have their irises scanned and put in the database so they can use the kiosks at participating Canadian airports to get through immigration. A few years ago we flew from London to Vancouver, BC and used the system. It was very fast and one fewer line to stand in. Unfortunately, there was a baggage handlers strike and we had to wait 90 minutes for our bags (we now only have carry-ons).
To find out more information you can go to the Customs and Border Protection website:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml
You can now apply online. It costs $50 for five years. After your application is approved, you will need to appear before a CBP officer for an interview. There is an office at Boeing Field in Seattle as well as at the Blaine border crossing (there are, of course, other offices farther afield for people outside the Western Washington area)
It is part of a trusted traveler program which means that both the US and Canada do a background check on the applicants. NEXUS cardholders typically pass through the border crossings swiftly (more often than not, I just get waved through but they sometimes ask some questions), but the border agents have the option to conduct a thorough check. That has yet to happen to me. In order to use the NEXUS lanes, everyone in the car needs to carry a card. There is also a zero-tolerance policy for what you can take across the border. If a cardholder is in violation, the card can be confiscated, so if one is in doubt about what they can take, it is better to take the regular lanes than to risk losing the NEXUS privilege.
If a cardholder chooses, they can have their irises scanned and put in the database so they can use the kiosks at participating Canadian airports to get through immigration. A few years ago we flew from London to Vancouver, BC and used the system. It was very fast and one fewer line to stand in. Unfortunately, there was a baggage handlers strike and we had to wait 90 minutes for our bags (we now only have carry-ons).
To find out more information you can go to the Customs and Border Protection website:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml
You can now apply online. It costs $50 for five years. After your application is approved, you will need to appear before a CBP officer for an interview. There is an office at Boeing Field in Seattle as well as at the Blaine border crossing (there are, of course, other offices farther afield for people outside the Western Washington area)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
