FAST Card or Passport

Passport is faster you can have one in 7 days if needed unless you are going to be doing hazmat you need fast

 

Friend of mine just was in same process as you but lives about 1 hour from closest border crossing. Border interview was not required. Get the fast card application moving now it will take a few weeks at least until you have the card in hand. I'd also recommend getting a passport because eventually one will expire and there may be a time where you don't have a required document to enter the US ... unless you get very unlucky and they expire on the same day ...

All that being said I have abandoned my fast card, just let it expire and did not renew it. I just don't have a need for it anymore. Passport works fine for me.

 

I have both. Use the fast card daily. Be aware, it's coming to the point that all drivers will need to be fast certified to clear loads. I use my fast card in my personal vehicle when crossing too.

 

Try crossing with a FAST APPROVED load and no FAST CARD for driver , have seen more than 1 truck denied border crossing and turned around and sent back

 

Where'd you hear this? 100% of the loads I haul are not eligible for the FAST program. Sometimes the border guards question me as to why I did not renew it, they word it sort of like I must be some sort of idiot for not paying the fee for renewal, they can't seem to understand since I only do PRODUCE/MEAT that I have no use for their program. When I did have it and would cross empty, they would question me as to why I did not seal an empty trailer and threaten to take away my fast card. I don't get hauled in any more or less comparing now to when I had the card. "Trusted traveler" = thanks for your money.

 

Passport can be quicker for sure. 6 weeks is enough time for either one though.

Making an appt. for a FAST interview could be a problem for you if you're in school Monday to Friday. Fort Erie does Saturdays though.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/fast-expres/enrol-inscrip-eng.html

 

CBP. I cross five nights a week. It's part of the latest CPTAT initiative. They want all cross border drivers fast carded. Give it a couple of years. Tops.

 

Well .. That's the first I've heard about it ... I suppose they will also want every carrier to be fast certified and in the ctpat program and everything else also. Probably just another tactic to get rid of the independents.

 

They're still working on implementing emanifest. If they tell you 2 years it will probably be 20.