/nickserv is supported on most networks (that have nickserv), if it isn't you will get a "421 Unknown command" and thn you know to use the alternative.
Whether you use "/nickserv" or "/msg [email]nickserv@blahblah"[/email] , the main point of my post was that it should NOT be part of a "/scid -a" routine.
BTW "/scid -a" will fail if one cid is not connected, (if cid1 is not connected, or cid2 isn't and you have a cid3) "/scid -at1" for all connected cids.