CANPASS Air - Any experiences?

[HighFlyer]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2005/0419-e.html

I've been hesitant in applying for this because of the requirement to have biometrics (eye scan and fingerprint) stored on a gov't computer, but after wasting an hour last night in secondary simply because the agent at primary didn't like what he was hearing (even though it was the truth), I'm strongly considering it now.

Does it really save time? Since you don't have to talk to an agent at primary, does it mean more secondaries in order to verify compliance?

[YYZC2]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2005/0419-e.html

I've been hesitant in applying for this because of the requirement to have biometrics (eye scan and fingerprint) stored on a gov't computer, but after wasting an hour last night in secondary simply because the agent at primary didn't like what he was hearing (even though it was the truth), I'm strongly considering it now.

Does it really save time? Since you don't have to talk to an agent at primary, does it mean more secondaries in order to verify compliance?

No experience with the program (although I have been thinking about applying), but I work with and around Canada Customs at YYZ a lot and I have never seen anyone with the yellow CanPass slip in secondary.

[The Rochester Mirkins]

Usually you get checked the first five times for "compliance verification" if you are clean you might get checked once a year (or less.)

[commie]

I have been a Canpass Air member since its inception couple of years ago...
It has been a godsend on many times coming back into Canada when the customs like were like 30-45 minutes long...
I just walk by to the machine...takes less than 1 mins.

the other poster is correct, the first few times using it, you will be sent to secondary...but afterwards its not so much...

Knock on wood...but I have not been pulled to secondary in more than 1 year.

I'll let you know how the Nexus Air program is working.....just got my Card in the mail the other day...
Should save alot of time crossing the US border on a monday morning.

[HighFlyer]

I went to the enrollment center at YYZ, where the agent advised that it would be better to enroll in NEXUS as it lasts 5 yrs, and only costs $50US/$80CDN. This also allows you to use the pass at US customs.

$10US/$16CDN a year to skip CBSA/CBP primary? .... sounds like a hot deal :D

But I've been told it takes 2-3 months before you get an interview with the CBP.

[gobbledygoo]

I've also been a NEXUS member since its inception and like the above poster said, it's worth its weight in gold... coming back to Vancouver on an early Saturday afternoon with flights from Beijing, Tokyo, Hawaii and a few other major cities and you will wish you had NEXUS :)

From what I've heard the program is gaining popularity and the application process is taking longer now - stories vary from 2 to 4 months. Definitely get it though if you have to cross the border a few times a year, especially to the States. And now with the Air, Land and Marine program all combined, it is even better value as you can use it to drive through border crossings.

The added benefit of NEXUS membership is that not only will you save time not lining up at customs, you will also be able to cut in line at security checkpoint too with FastTrack. At YVR I can generally walk into the airport from the curbside and be sitting at my gate in 15~20min even on a busy Monday morning - how sweet is that?! :D