Nexus card - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MoneyGuy · 07-19-2012, 11:31 AM

We just returned last night from three weeks in Europe and the wife was saying that she'd love to have a Nexus card for ease of going through security. I'm not so sure as I believe it only works for travel between Canada and the Excited States.

Who has one and is it worth the $50 for the five-year period?

Tinordi · 07-19-2012, 11:33 AM

I have it, and no it's not worth it. Don't bother.

Nufy · 07-19-2012, 11:35 AM

I believe its only for the US.

I have a colleague who has a place in Belize that he has to travel to through the US.

For that alone it was worth the cost / inconvenience to him.

He said that after applying he had to travel to a land border crossing for an interview.

I looked at one when I was doing a bunch of work in the US a year or so ago.

I may again if KXL gets approved and I'm back on the job.

Flacker · 07-19-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

I have it, and no it's not worth it. Don't bother.

Couldn't disagree more.

Only valid for US/Canada crossings.

When the customs hall is busy and they are lining you up like cattle for 30+ minutes, and you can just cruise right up and scan your eyeball and be on your way. Worth every penny if you travel to and from the US regularly.

Warning: If you are a Nexus card holder and they catch you not declaring anything it will be revoked and you won't ever get it again.

Tinordi · 07-19-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flacker

Couldn't disagree more.

Only valid for US/Canada crossings.

When the customs hall is busy and they are lining you up like cattle for 30+ minutes, and you can just cruise right up and scan your eyeball and be on your way. Worth every penny if you travel to and from the US regularly.

(Shut up man...)

Flacker · 07-19-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

(Shut up man...)

Ah, gotcha.

He's right it sucks.

JBR · 07-19-2012, 11:41 AM

Worth it. Several airports have priority security screening for Nexus holders. It can save a lot of time in YVR, YYZ or YUL.

seattleflamer · 07-19-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

(Shut up man...)

come on, Tinordi, the lines aren't that bad and OP is probably going through SweetGrass and not Blaine.

But, umm, yeah....not worth it....especially in the summer or weekends.

bomba · 07-19-2012, 11:58 AM

Yes, you can use Nexus coming back from International destinations now for entry to Canada

me_dennis · 07-19-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomba

Yes, you can use Nexus coming back from International destinations now for entry to Canada

Can anyone confirm this? When did they implement this?

taco.vidal · 07-19-2012, 12:34 PM

As mentioned, nexus gives you access to priority screening at many airports.

Nexus also gets you Global Entry now which is great if you ever fly back internationally through the US.

For $50 its worth it if youre not worried about the US government having your fingerprints and iris scans.

MoneyGuy · 07-19-2012, 12:40 PM

I understand that the card can be used for crossings into Canada or the States, but nowhere else. Ironically, when my wife mentioned it, we were in Europe so it would not have helped there. I'm in the don't-bother camp. We go to the States about once per year, so I don't see the value. Ha, she said she may get it ever if I don't want it, which would enable her to wait for me on the other side.

taco.vidal · 07-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Theres some good threads on the Flyertalk forum. Just google Flyertalk and Nexus.

hatty · 07-19-2012, 12:54 PM

I have it, and regularly go to the US, it makes customs so much easier. I have gone through customs and security on a normal day within 10 minutes. Some of the busier days, maybe took me 15 minutes to do both. Even for domestic flights in Canada, most airports will have a Nexus security line, where its a shorter line up to go through security even if your not travelling to the US.

Its well worth it if you make the trip to the US at least twice a year I would say.

Huntingwhale · 07-19-2012, 12:57 PM

What exactly does this Nexus card do? From what I understand, its just a shorter seperate line for card holders? Do they still screen/security check you the same way? A lady at my work often flies down to America and she said she just got hers and that its saves her grief along the way.

tigger777 · 07-19-2012, 01:20 PM

Can I use the Nexus lineup (custom in airport or custom at vehicle border crossing) if I was crossing the border with my family and I am the only person in the family that has Nexus?

FurnaceFace · 07-19-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

What exactly does this Nexus card do? From what I understand, its just a shorter seperate line for card holders? Do they still screen/security check you the same way? A lady at my work often flies down to America and she said she just got hers and that its saves her grief along the way.

Security check and screening is done like anyone else. It speeds things up at the border crossing. Coming into Canada you just go to the scanner and don't have to talk to customs at all unless they pull you aside for the random check which you're warned they will do sometime in the first few trips.

The big advantage I've found is if you have a tight connection it can speed you up, like in the Belize discussion above.

The disadvantage in Calgary is they have 2 machines and invariably one of the machines is dead so you're backed up waiting for the only working machine. And then someone 3-4 in front of you will be unable to work the machine and it takes longer than the regular line. Also, if you have luggage to pick up you might be through customs and still have to wait for your bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger777

Can I use the Nexus lineup (custom in airport or custom at vehicle border crossing) if I was crossing the border with my family and I am the only person in the family that has Nexus?

You can at the airport, they can't. Don't know about land crossings.

Nammer403 · 07-19-2012, 02:18 PM

I was planning on gettin the Nexus card as well thanks for the tip!

flamesflames444 · 07-19-2012, 02:22 PM

I always laugh when there is a huge lineup outside the doors to customs at YYC and we have to push our way through the initial entrance where the guy reviews the blue customs slip and people are getting all pissey that we are budding through etc and then again when we breeze through the actual customs line and everyone is like WTF. With priority checkin (if you have it), I"m usually in the Rocky Mountain lounge enjoying a cocktail in less than 20 mins from when I first step in the front door of the airport.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but there is now a priority security line at YYC both on the domestic and intl sides, but it is never overly busy when I'm there anyways so not a huge timesaver.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 07-19-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatty

I have it, and regularly go to the US, it makes customs so much easier. I have gone through customs and security on a normal day within 10 minutes. Some of the busier days, maybe took me 15 minutes to do both. Even for domestic flights in Canada, most airports will have a Nexus security line, where its a shorter line up to go through security even if your not travelling to the US.

Its well worth it if you make the trip to the US at least twice a year I would say.

The ability to skip domestic security lines may be the single greatest reason to get Nexus.

It's amazing for many reasons, though. Skipping customs lines, Global Entry is a huge timesaver in an airport like Houston, etc.

For $10 a year? No brainer.