8. December 2008 by admin.

Last Friday, I wanted to get to work early in the morning.  I just missed the 6:10 am Tunnel Bus because I wanted to stop at one of Windsor’s Tim Hortons for tea and a bagel.  So, I decided to drive and run some errands after work.  One would think that crossing the border just after 6 am would be easy.  Well, think again!

Upon entering the Tunnel, I realized it was backed up about 3/4ths of the way.  It was going to be a long commute.  But I had my tea and thought I would arrive at work by 6:30.  That would be sufficient to get the work done that I need to do.  After 20 minutes, I reached the Custom plaza on the US side. 

About 4 1/2 years ago, I completed the Nexus applicaiton, paid the $50 and had fingerprints taken.  All for a faster entry into either the US or Canada as a low risk traveler.  For the most part, it is generally much quicker to enter the US with Nexus rather than the general lanes.

Last Friday was terrible and I hope that the Department of Homeland Security takes note of the problems.  After my 20 minutes in the Tunnel, there were 4 cars in front of me waiting to clear customs.  I figured it would be a matter of minutes.  Boy, was I wrong and really wrong!  It took about 5 minutes for the first two cars.  After which the officer dropped the gate and it was time for a shift change.  Generally, that is a minute or so delay.  Unfortunately for me, the two officers decided to have a 10 minute conversation.  Really, it’s the morning rush hour and we’re in the Nexus lane — a 10 minute conversation?  Come on.

But wait, there’s more.  The final car in front of me goes to the booth.  5 minutes with the officer and then the gate comes down again!  It was after 5 minutes that I shut the car off.  It didn’t matter that it was in the low 20’s outside, I was very hot.  If I didn’t have work that needed to be completed right when I arrived, I would have called US Customs.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Nexus program is for: “These cross-border trusted travel programs facilitate land border crossing of prescreened low-risk travelers and commercial truck drivers through exclusive dedicated lanes. Members in these voluntary programs must meet certain eligibility requirements and pay a 5-year membership fee.”

Let’s look at a few important key words: trusted, facilitate, prescreened and dedicated lanes.  Why is it that the general lanes were proceeding at a speed of 4 cars cleared to 1 Nexus car?

I think I’ll call Nexus, Next-to-last to cross!

Posted in Nexus, US Customs | 1 Comment »

18. November 2008 by admin.

Sorry I haven’t posted anything in the past several days.  I’ve been travelling for work.  At the end of last week, I was in Traverse City and this week I’m in Washington, DC.  No not to measure for drapes at the White House or meet with Obama’s transition time, although that would be terrific, for a conference on training the trainers.

But yesterday’s crossing using my Nexus pass was interesting.  I’m in the car and reach the US Custom’s booth.  The officer asks me how often I cross the border.  I respond everyday.  He looks confused, “Really, he says?  Do you always drive this car?”  I responded with as few words as possible, “No.”  “OK, he says, have a good day.”  I really didn’t have the heart to tell him that my other car was the Tunnel Bus!  So what exactly do US Customs/Immigration/Border Patrol track when we cross the border?  Couldn’t he see that my passport gets swiped on daily basis?  It is the same computer system — Nexus and the passport scanning?  Right?  The US Government spent how much on all their new technologies and the officer couldn’t tell that I cross the border on a regular basis?  At this point, I just want to raise both hands and go “Arg!”

Maybe while I’m in Washington the next couple of days, I’ll go to the head office of Homeland Security and tell them about the border procedures in Detroit.  On second thought, maybe not!

Posted in Nexus, US Customs | No Comments »