Canada FAST card
- Thread starter xmudman
- Start date
If you haven't already, an appointment to interview with US and Canada Customs agents including fingerprinting needs to be arranged, and then a couple weeks after that you get the card.
I honestly don't remember but I think if you make yourself available it can be done fairly quickly.
My experience was same as FlyingVan's: not much demand for FAST loads, but I had a sneaking suspicion that I'd be kept on 'reserve' just in case one popped up, while those without the card were getting loads to other places. Also, being qualified for Canada upped the base pay for every load, so maybe they called the less expensive vans first? Just a thought....
If your carrier can keep you busy with FAST loads, it would be worth it.
Getting the card didn't take long at all, if I remember correctly.
If your carrier can keep you busy with FAST loads, it would be worth it.
Getting the card didn't take long at all, if I remember correctly.
thing is...to be able to submit an ACE (entry) manifest...you need a FAST card....the load does not have to be a FAST load...Things have changed much since 05.....
Not true. If it is a FAST load but driver isn't FAST approved then it needs to be cleared on ACE manifest.
and there ya go....proof...when i did US entries...you need a FAST card to enter the US on the old line release....if no FAST card you need to rip off the line release and enter country thru brokers...manual release...
that was pre ACE
Never done a Can. entry with the new system...
You must wait until you get approval letter from CVSA before making appointment.
We had a FAST card when we first started but let it expire. We never once ran a FAST load.
Most FAST are automotive loads....I bring them to our X dock all the time.....
The only I used my FAST card for was to use the empty FAST lane....
The only I used my FAST card for was to use the empty FAST lane....
I never had a FAST load, either, and let mine expire, as well. But I had border guards on both sides of the border tell me they prefer a FAST card to any other form of ID because of the amount of background and historical information they get from scanning that bar code on the FAST card.
I don't think FAST has anymore, likely less, background checks than HAZMAT, TSA/IAC or DOD clearances do
None of those you listed are valid WHTI ID for crossing the border, though. Of all the WHTI approved documents, the FAST card provides the most amount of background and historical information.
As for more or less, the FAST card background check is far more thorough than the TSA or the HAZMAT check. It's closer to a DOD check, since FAST and DOD pick up all misdemeanors and arrests, regardless of how long ago, regardless of the disposition of the case.
OK, I get it.
and yet...it used to says right on the card...."NOT to be used for ID purposes".....
No point to those minor details