06-17-2019, 03:14 AM
(Hello USA based forum members!)
Everybody hates lines at airports but TSA Precheck feels like a tax on restoring your sanity. Somehow I stumbled on the NEXUS program - its primarily aimed at citizens traveling to Canada but also provides Global Entry and TSA Precheck. It costs $50 CAD, making it roughly half the price of either of those programs. Kids under 18 are free. The passes last five years before renewal. The catch? You need to do an interview at an office near the border.
ROAD TRIP!
I grew up in Wisconsin...and in Wisconsin, Michigan's upper peninsula is a legendary place. It takes most of the things Wisconsin prides itself on and turns them up to 11. Also, they're packer fans. I hadn't been, so it was another excuse to take the family.
I applied to NEXUS back in February. In late April I still hadn't heard anything and gave them a call expecting a confused and annoyed rep. They very politely explained to me that I had been preapproved for the interview about a week after I submitted my application. Apparently they never bothered telling me. Oh, the application? Photocopies of IDs, address and work history. Annoying but not too bad.
I guess I was expecting a grouchy customs official at the interview since customs officers have always seemed a little grouchy when I've interacted with them. Maybe they were happy to see us since we bothered to travel to Sault Ste. Marie. We arrived early and they took us early. They asked for our passports, took our photos, and gave us site seeing and restaurant recommendations. We were only staying in town for a day but the rest of it was based off that advice. They had a little toy dog to help get the attention of my sons for their NEXUS pass photos. While they call it an interview, its really just about showing up - it happens in front of others with little questioning. They sincerely seem happy that you stopped by. We'll receive our IDs in the next week.
Everybody hates lines at airports but TSA Precheck feels like a tax on restoring your sanity. Somehow I stumbled on the NEXUS program - its primarily aimed at citizens traveling to Canada but also provides Global Entry and TSA Precheck. It costs $50 CAD, making it roughly half the price of either of those programs. Kids under 18 are free. The passes last five years before renewal. The catch? You need to do an interview at an office near the border.
ROAD TRIP!
I grew up in Wisconsin...and in Wisconsin, Michigan's upper peninsula is a legendary place. It takes most of the things Wisconsin prides itself on and turns them up to 11. Also, they're packer fans. I hadn't been, so it was another excuse to take the family.
I applied to NEXUS back in February. In late April I still hadn't heard anything and gave them a call expecting a confused and annoyed rep. They very politely explained to me that I had been preapproved for the interview about a week after I submitted my application. Apparently they never bothered telling me. Oh, the application? Photocopies of IDs, address and work history. Annoying but not too bad.
I guess I was expecting a grouchy customs official at the interview since customs officers have always seemed a little grouchy when I've interacted with them. Maybe they were happy to see us since we bothered to travel to Sault Ste. Marie. We arrived early and they took us early. They asked for our passports, took our photos, and gave us site seeing and restaurant recommendations. We were only staying in town for a day but the rest of it was based off that advice. They had a little toy dog to help get the attention of my sons for their NEXUS pass photos. While they call it an interview, its really just about showing up - it happens in front of others with little questioning. They sincerely seem happy that you stopped by. We'll receive our IDs in the next week.