AZ School is 5 weeks away...what to do in the meantime?

Don't know on the interview part. Most of the auto parts carriers want you to have it. They will pass over for you for sure unless they absolutely need you and can have you do Canada only runs as most of the cross border for auto clears on fast. It is a good thing to have when starting out.
Also consider: with a fast card and a passport they have 2 different expiry dates. Meaning you won't ever be sidelined while waiting for new credentials for border crossing.

 

Having a FAST card also reduces the BS at the border, by at-least 95%. There is an interview in person with the CBSA and US Border Patrol, but that will be explained in the letter, once your application is processed. Basically, they just wanna know about criminal history and drugs, so if you don't do drugs, and are not a criminal, its easy. If you can pass a drug test now, but did drugs in the past, the answer is "I tried some in highschool". Pretty much if you admit to any drug use beyond that, you're done as far as FAST/NEXUS is concerned.

 

Oh that simple, any fees related to this?

 

Never admit to anyone you did drugs of any kind. They can day "you're a known drug user. Access denied."

I get same treatment with passport as I did with my fast card. I have no use for it anymore so i let it expire. Sometimes they grill me over why I let it go. I say why pay the expense for something that has no purpose for me? The whole idea they will let you breeze through the border with it is a bogus idea. Same screening whatever document you show.

 

50 bucks us.

 

I would have to disagree. It depends on the port.

 

Fair enough
I do the same stuff so I am somewhat of a regular everywhere I go. Business as usual unless they want to do a quick x ray or rummage through my stuff real quick. They're mostly good people. Same as anything.

 

Well, I can tell ya out here in the West, I used to get GRILLED (esp coming back to Canada), just 21 questions and have my cab searched by agriculture and the works. Once I got my FAST card, it was "Where are you going? Ok Have a good day" literally!. The most noticeable was at Kingsgate, the CBSA supervisor is this fat blonde #####, always giving everyone a hard time; or hovering and making her new officers give everyone a hard time. Once I got the fast, they scanned my PARS, My FAST, and asked me if I had anything to declare, I said few cans of soda and they handed me my stuff. Blaine WA crossing, I don't think they even ask me anything anymore, as long as the PAPS/PARS/CSA scans, scan my FAST, see ya!

And yes, never admit to drugs. Unless you're bad at lying, then say high-school so you don't look guilty as ####!

Also as soon as I put FAST one my resume, I get callbacks in under 30 mins, whenever I apply to something.

 

The fast card pre screens the driver with both countries. You become a trusted traveler. No need to ask questions or dig deep, unless there’s something that triggers their attention.