San Ysidro Pedestrian Sentri

I brought this issue up last month but no one had the answer.
I use the pedestrian sentri on my vists to TJ during the week. It is easier and safer then driving. I have noticed that the line has been closed during 3 of my last 4 visits. Typically, they block it with a chair or a cone. The regular line was pretty long but I went to the bus line and passed through easily by showing my card, but not without some ranting and raving of the people in the regular pedestrian line.
I was wondering had anyone else who uses the line had this problem and were they able to get a clear answer from customs as to why this line is frequently closed.
I have heard rumours that they were planning to maybe close this pedestrian sentri line permanently despite the fact that it has been a huge sucess(typical US goverment inefficiancy)

I know it doesn't operate all day.The times it has been closed has been between 5m and 7:00pm when it should be open. If you notice, even the fingerprint reader hasn't been working in months. It almost seems like they are getting ready to close it down! I ask customs what is up with it but no answer.
The program wasa pilot program back in 2004 when we got ours. It works really well and first I heard they were going to expand it to weekends. Now I think they are planning to close it

It would be too bad if they close it, mine actualy is expired but they say that I can still use it, no need to renew it. I use mine every once in a while, I got it just because at the time I was working in National City, trolley close so I figured it would be cost effective, and it was, till I did'nt have to go to National City. Don't know, maybe if we use it more? Just do a crossing marathon

I think it may require letters to the customs deparrment to keep it open. I was starting to get worried when they didn't renew them and said we could just keep using it. I figured that was a sign that they would discontinue the program.
It's amazing! they do something that actually works and they want to discontinue it to save a salary!!!! Our goverment effiency at work again!!
They try to make it as difficult as possible for mericans returning from Mexico. Has anyone actually seen all the pedestrian lines open at one time???? I think the most I have seen is 6 of them open at once. You say anything negative to them like "why aren't you opening more lines" and they start making life very difficult for you.

US Customs Jerks

I have travelled extensively and the worst reception I have ever received has been returning home and dealing with US customs.

You think a "welcome home" would be in order...but no....they must look for "schmuck" stamped on he heads of people before they are hired.

But, I'm not bitter, just disgusted,

-CaboRon

Actually, since they gave out all 5000 permits very quickly, it is heavily used, but the system is so efficient that you don't need to stand in line for more then a few seconds! I am suprised the goverment out something together that is efficient! I asked customs yesterday and he said the only time it will back up a little is in the a.m's
I went through last night( along with 4 other people) and talked to the customs inspector in the sentri line and he said that there are only 2 of them for that line and when one of them is gone, all pedestrian traffic is reroted to the bus line...that is why it is closed. Unfortunately, he said, the future is in doubt. They had plans to expand the time you could use it but are now thinking it may be shut down!!!!

So how much money was invested in implementing the system, equipment, man hours, etc. to just throw it away?

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt So how much money was invested in implementing the system, equipment, man hours, etc. to just throw it away?

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt So how much money was invested in implementing the system, equipment, man hours, etc. to just throw it away?

I am not sure how much the computer system, biometric reader,etc cost. the man hours are 8 hours a day, 1 customs inspector.
It is pretty frustrating when they actually do something to reduce waiting time and then want to take it away...imagine if it was the vehicle sentri!!!!

No, you can only use the bus line as a sentri line during normal sentri hours when the sentri line has to clsoe for things like a bathroom break or the customs inspector being sick.
However,down the road they are planning to let us use it 24/7(bus line) At least thsi what I was told by customs but no decision was made yet to finalize that.

I would NOT advise using the mobile SENTRI for the ped SENTRI unless you get confirmation from at LEAST three different officials in WRITING. A couple fo trips ago we were crossing at Tecate and the wife instinctively handed me her Sentri card (no Sentri at Tecate) instead of her driver's license and you would have thought we handed the agent anthrax. He said he could have the card revoked due to 'unauthorized use'. These guys have a job I would NEVER want so I give them the benefit of the doubt, mostly, but some of the attitudes we encounter are beyond the pale. It has definitely been worse the last 3-4 years compared to the 29 years prior as workload increased. SY is the most used border land crossing in the WORLD. Write your congressperson and ask for more funding for the border.

VIVA SENTRI!

No, you can only use it during regular sentri hours when the sentro post is unmanned!