Good morning, Mr. Phelps...

(I started writing this about ten days ago. Time to wrap it up and press "post" already.)


During our trip to Toronto last week, Aliza and I completed our NEXUS card application process with an interview and biometrics session.

(In a nutshell, NEXUS is an expedited customs program between the US and Canada that lets you bypass the customs lines at border crossings by undergoing a pre-screening process. You're issued a special ID card, and can use an ATM-like device in airports that scans your iris to verify your identity. If you're crossing by land, customs checkpoints have a NEXUS-only lane that you can use if everyone in your car is a NEXUS member. Gosh, it's getting awfully crowded in this nutshell...)

The interview was relatively straightforward. First we were interviewed by a representative of the Canada Border Services Agency, who verified that the information on our applications was accurate (we needed to update our addresses to reflect our move.), and then passed our paperwork over to the American side of the room. While we were waiting to get called over by the folks from US Customs, the CBSA rep took us to get our irises scanned.

The iris scanning process was a very weird combination of cool and boring. Basically, you look into a small mirror positioned over some sort of digital camera. A computerized voice gives you directions to get you lined up correctly, and takes a series of pictures. These are used at the airport kiosks to verify your identity. Sadly, there's no grid of lasers or anything like you see in the movies.

After the scans, we spoke with two reps from US Customs. I think one of them was in training, being supervised by the other. They repeated some of the same questions we were asked over on the Canadian side (Why do you want a NEXUS card? Do you both currently reside in the US?), explained how to use the card, then took our fingerprints. I was actually impressed with the fingerprint scanner they used, since it was able to read the prints on my left hand despite the major slashes I put into three of my fingertips when I lifted an air conditioner the week before. (For the record, don't touch the vanes on the front of an air conditioner. It bleeds an awful lot, and your wife will insist on wiping your blood off of the floor before getting you a band-aid. At least until you look at her incredulously and make an indignant noise.)

We also found out about NEXUSing (NEXUSizing?) Blueberry when he/she arrives. Under-18s get cards for free. Babies can't get their irises scanned, so if you're travelling with an infant, you get to use the customs line that's ordinarily reserved for flight crew. Neat.

We got our cards last week, and I think mine probably has the best government ID photograph I've had in years. (Second only to the photo in the passport I lost two years ago. That one was awesome). Each card also came with a teeny-tiny Faraday cage sleeve to keep your card in when it isn't being read.

Good morning, Mr. Phelps...

(I started writing this about ten days ago. Time to wrap it up and press "post" already.)


During our trip to Toronto last week, Aliza and I completed our NEXUS card application process with an interview and biometrics session.

(In a nutshell, NEXUS is an expedited customs program between the US and Canada that lets you bypass the customs lines at border crossings by undergoing a pre-screening process. You're issued a special ID card, and can use an ATM-like device in airports that scans your iris to verify your identity. If you're crossing by land, customs checkpoints have a NEXUS-only lane that you can use if everyone in your car is a NEXUS member. Gosh, it's getting awfully crowded in this nutshell...)

The interview was relatively straightforward. First we were interviewed by a representative of the Canada Border Services Agency, who verified that the information on our applications was accurate (we needed to update our addresses to reflect our move.), and then passed our paperwork over to the American side of the room. While we were waiting to get called over by the folks from US Customs, the CBSA rep took us to get our irises scanned.

The iris scanning process was a very weird combination of cool and boring. Basically, you look into a small mirror positioned over some sort of digital camera. A computerized voice gives you directions to get you lined up correctly, and takes a series of pictures. These are used at the airport kiosks to verify your identity. Sadly, there's no grid of lasers or anything like you see in the movies.

After the scans, we spoke with two reps from US Customs. I think one of them was in training, being supervised by the other. They repeated some of the same questions we were asked over on the Canadian side (Why do you want a NEXUS card? Do you both currently reside in the US?), explained how to use the card, then took our fingerprints. I was actually impressed with the fingerprint scanner they used, since it was able to read the prints on my left hand despite the major slashes I put into three of my fingertips when I lifted an air conditioner the week before. (For the record, don't touch the vanes on the front of an air conditioner. It bleeds an awful lot, and your wife will insist on wiping your blood off of the floor before getting you a band-aid. At least until you look at her incredulously and make an indignant noise.)

We also found out about NEXUSing (NEXUSizing?) Blueberry when he/she arrives. Under-18s get cards for free. Babies can't get their irises scanned, so if you're travelling with an infant, you get to use the customs line that's ordinarily reserved for flight crew. Neat.

We got our cards last week, and I think mine probably has the best government ID photograph I've had in years. (Second only to the photo in the passport I lost two years ago. That one was awesome). Each card also came with a teeny-tiny Faraday cage sleeve to keep your card in when it isn't being read.