[piper1]

The story I got from the FAST folks was that the card was only a way to attach a "driver" to a pre approved fast load. For example, if your load is FAST approved and you as the driver of said load are an angel, load goes through because the whole package (you and the load) are likely low risk.

If you are a naughty boy and start becoming a low life, chances are greater that something will be out of place, the shipper does everything right but YOU slip something into the load that is a no-no.

The program is to make sure everyone, shipper, consignor and carrier are all above board. Given the problems carriers have doing good background checks, you having that card lets the border guys know that at least they checked you out themselves.

Them asking you for ID is to verify that you match the Fast data that your card transmitted at the transponder thingy.