Global Entry, Nexus, or Sentri?

[dbiz2]

When I flew into Montreal this weekend, the Canadian customs officer asked why I was there, I said, "to have as much fun as I can with my three day weekend." Yes, I was asked if I was meeting someone, how much cash I was bringing in, and what hotel I was staying at, along with do I have anything to declare. Done in five minutes. Returning back to USA, pretty much the same thing.

Guess I've been lucky.

 

[Bred Sob]

god damn, this is worrisome. i was thinking of doing more driving than flyin in the future, and i do not want to wipe away my whole phone, shit this sucks.

I don't see any reason to wipe the phone clean. I think it would raise more suspicions. Unless you only use it for activities that the border guards might find objectionable. Just use some reasonable precautions. Use apps for texting/calling you would like to remain unseen. Use incognito mode for browsing. Things like that. Btw, they are not allowed by law to access any of your online accounts, they can only inspect the current contents of your phone. Photos and so on. That is why they the first thing they do is turn on the airplane mode.

I was again treated to secondary inspection when driving over this weekend (at the Vermont/Quebec crossing.) Lighter than usual, about half an hour, they just browsed through my bag and asked the usual questions a couple of times. Did not ask for the phone. And also they were particularly interested in the door hinges of my car, inspected quite carefully all four of them. Are people transporting drugs in there? I have no clue what they were looking for.

 

[transatlantic]

I don't see any reason to wipe the phone clean. I think it would raise more suspicions. Unless you only use it for activities that the border guards might find objectionable. Just use some reasonable precautions. Use apps for texting/calling you would like to remain unseen. Use incognito mode for browsing. Things like that. Btw, they are not allowed by law to access any of your online accounts, they can only inspect the current contents of your phone. Photos and so on. That is why they the first thing they do is turn on the airplane mode.

Which agency are you referring to? CBP is to put phone in airplane mode. Don’t know what CBSA is allowed to do. Going back to CBP, it remains to be seen if this applies to non-US citizens as they can simply refuse entry if you don’t “voluntarily” hand over cloud login/password and consent to search.

I imagine a similar tactic can be used by CBSA on non-Canadians to access cloud data. You can protest or seek legal remedy after the fact, but as a non-Canadian, will you (for the same reasons listed back in post 86)?

If you use cloud apps, the best practice would be to remove those apps and cloud login/pwd should be committed to memory and not written down/saved anywhere; authorities can’t compel you to “voluntarily” provide login/pwd to an account they don’t know exist. The apps can be reinstalled after your crossed.

 

[Bred Sob]

I am referring to the Canadians pestering you when you are about to enter their country. Not sure about the exact agency name, CBSA or whatever. The guy did put the phone in airplane mode and informed me of their legal limitations. I was never asked for the phone by Americans on my way home.

I agree that it is safer to delete the apps altogether. But I usually don't do that, what is the point if they aren't allowed to access them anyway? I guess you could imagine one day running into some particular asshole who doesn't bother observing the law. Well, the risk is rather small or so I feel.

 

[RobertNYC]

Hey Transatlantic, thanks for your PM. Fantastic info! Appreciate it. With regard to secondary screenings, perhaps sometimes they are random, but my guess is the traveler is questioned because he looks nervous or said something that triggered additional inquiry. I can’t remember ever deleting my texts with agencies or browser sessions and have never received more than one question or two (except on a drive when I said I might meet up with a female friend. Got a few annoying questions about her but stood my ground and likely looked annoyed. They then sent me through). If you look nervous, apprehensive or like you’re up to no good, then of course you might get pulled aside. Look confident, and be polite, answer succinctly and I can guarantee you that you’ll get only one question, at most two and will be on your way. My interaction every time at the airport (25-30x maybe in Montreal) has been no more than 30-45 seconds. If you get a secondary and get asked about a text with an agency, just tell them you may or may not get a massage. Just be polite and confident in your answers. Could they turn you away after finding escort related texts? Yes, and they can likely turn you away for anything. Will they turn you away? unless those texts are so lurid or graphic, my thought is highly unlikely unless you are obviously deceitful and being a dick

 

[arthur_vandelay]

In my experience you are much more likely to attract attention if it appears you are coming to Montreal on a regular basis, rather than 1-2 times per year. After getting pulled into secondary screening once, I signed up for NEXUS on my next trip lol.

Since getting NEXUS I have never been selected for screening entering Canada at YUL. Actually had slightly more issues leaving - once got the SSS on my boarding pass (which all the TSA types said should not happen) and some minor grilling from the US CBP agents.

Has anyone with NEXUS even been selected for screening at YUL?

 

[RobertNYC]

Arthur Vandeley, I did six visits in six months and received no special attention. If your texts are clear, you have a Viagra prescription and no recorded calls to Montreal what the hell can they do? I still think your confidence and demeanor is key. Common sense really

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I have had no issues with NEXUS. The border guards can tell if you are nervous, it has been said, be confident. I went with a friend to Mexico a few years ago and brought a 5 gramer of oil with me, never told my friend until we got to the resort as I am sure she would have brought on attention if she knew.

 

[smuler]

You are a brave man Sol

Best Regards
Smuler

 

[matt.j]

Anyone knows how long a violation would bar you from nexus? Made the mistake of forgetting about the exchange rate when entering and had over the 10k limit and did not declare. Had the money seized and returned. I hear I have to wait 6-7 years before trying to apply not sure if its true.

 

[matt.j]

Mattj,

You should Thank God the money was returned. Any suspicion of illegality and it would not have been.

I would be interested also as to whether it is a forgivable sin in a few years.

I'm hoping its a 1-2 year ban and not 6-7 years or a lifetime ban. I tried appealing about being a stupid American and forgetting the exchange rate but it didn't work out for me. Would ideally like to get Nexus to travel internationally more often.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

You are a brave man Sol

Best Regards
Smuler

Not really, it was sealed completely odorless, hidden well and no reason checking someone coming into Mexico ( me old tourist with a friend ), had a 5% percent chance of getting caught.

 

[hungry101]

had a 5% percent chance of getting caught.

Sorry but I wouldn't risk a 0.5% chance of getting thrown in a Mexican jail.

 

[arthur_vandelay]

Arthur Vandeley, I did six visits in six months and received no special attention. If your texts are clear, you have a Viagra prescription and no recorded calls to Montreal what the hell can they do? I still think your confidence and demeanor is key. Common sense really

Okay lol, just don't let them put all 6 stamps on the same page of your passport

 

[luvdozer]

all this is making me think i should apply for NEXUS. I just dont want to wipe my phone every trip. I dont have any browser history of escort websites (that is on my laptop and i dont mind clearing that)> I also dont mind deleting text history on the phone if i have to, but i would prefer to keep them in my contacts at a minimum.

 

[Prof. Kingsfield]

I can not tell you about other methods since I have only used NEXUS. All I can tell you is that since getting it I have saved 45 min - 1 hour on exit and entry at the border on all occasions I traveled.

 

[luvdozer]

for me its not about time - i breeze through highway border crossing because of the time i travel. i just want to minimize the chance of a canadian border agent looking at my phone and laptop.

I did get selected for secondary screening 2 visits ago - they said it was random computer generated selection. While i was waiting for the inspector i was frantically deleting every text message from every agency i have ever contacted. the guy asked me the same questions the first guy did, took a glance in the back of my SUV and said "enjoy your trip" I dont worry about convenience, i worry that the one guy decides to be an a-hole and deny me entry because i have 6 escort agencies in my contacts.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Some of you actually use the real agency name in your directory or save past texts with escorts or agencies?

 

[transatlantic]

Arthur Vandeley, I did six visits in six months and received no special attention. If your texts are clear, you have a Viagra prescription and no recorded calls to Montreal what the hell can they do? I still think your confidence and demeanor is key. Common sense really

You should apply for NEXUS if eligible if you travel this often. You’ll thank me if you ever fly into YUL during summer afternoons.

 

[ssj3]

I have Global Entry and it’s been awesome having it..I know that if I want to get Nexus my Global Entry gets canceled and I can just use the Nexus. The only thing holding me back is the interview process with CBP. I’m paranoid that they will grill me about all my visits to Montreal.