REPORT * USA - FAST solution to potential border problem

A potential cross-border clearance mess has been averted just days before a new massive, U.S. security policy takes effect

Ottawa,ONT,CAN -Today's Trucking -28 Mayt 2009: -- A potential cross-border clearance mess has been averted just days before a new massive, U.S. security policy takes effect... The introduction of a new generation FAST card, coinciding with the June 1 rollout of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) ID rules, had some in the trucking industry predicting trucker backlogs at Canada-U.S. land ports... But fear not, if there are significant border delays next week, it'll be because some truckers and travelers will be without mandatory passport or enhanced drivers' licence credentials; and not due to what appeared to be a possible FAST card mix-up... Part of the problem is that US Customs was not set up to accept older FAST cards. Only new, Generation 2 FAST cards -- most of which have not yet been mailed to drivers -- have the RFID technology that is compatible with the ID readers at ports of entry... U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials met with members of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, todaystrucking.com has learned, and were assured that original FAST cards, as well as Gen 2 FAST cards, will be acceptable identification documents for crossing the border on June 1... (Photo: Thanks to CTA, US Customs will allow both old and new FAST cards on June 19)