BajaNomad

Sentri Pass

fishbuck - 6-27-2008 at 03:58 AM

I went onto the GOES page and started my online ap for a Sentri.
I think it cost about $150 or so and adds on for additional people and vehicles.
The application is long but fairly easy to fill out. I need to go back and correct 11 or so errors. Things I left blank.
My biggest problem is that my windshield is cracked kinda by the windshield wipers. I wasn't planning on fixing it either. But that's one of their requirements.
So I'll try and submit it tomorrow and we'll see how long it takes to get one.
I can't take that border wait anymore.

[Edited on 6-27-2008 by fishbuck]

CortezBlue - 6-27-2008 at 06:39 AM

fyi
You will get an approval faster than you think and you will not be notified by email, make sure you go back to your GOES account every couple of days to check for approval. After you receive approval it will give you a list of items that you MUST bring with you to the interview. My company no long sends out pay check or pay stubs and we only have computer generated pay stubs. It says they must be originals. I called to discuss this with them and they would not accept a copy, even though the copy is the only original I have. So since it was near tax time I had a w2 and asked if that would work and she said yes.

Be aware that the folks I worked with in Calexico were *&^holes. Once I got to the office, I sat in the lobby by myself waiting for a half hour while 5 or 6 agents were sitting behind the counter ignoring me. When I approached them they told me that I would be called on shortly. Once I was called on I had all of my paperwork organzied and handed it over and you guessed it, a W2 is not accepted as proof of empolyement. I assked to speak with a supervisor, who was a giant (*^hole. I heard a lecture like somthing out of a bad movie. While holding up the document that you have to sign I heard "does it state anywhere on this document that a w2 is an acceptable form of paperwork" I got so ticked and was ready to tell him to take a hike. Lukily my wife was with me and she convienced him to accept the paperwork as is.

Once he signed off on it I was back to the other worker bee, who was of Mexican descent, and she started asking us why we were going into Mexico so often. We explained we had a home in Mexico. Oh brother, all I heard is,"you wouldnt catch me going to Mexico, let alone own property in Mexico, blah blah blah blah blah"
Then she asked why we were getting our sentri cardin Calexico when we live closer to Nogales. Again I explaoined that we had a home in SF and that we were on our way to SF. Yes, but Nogales is closer. SHe literally made that comment 3 or 4 times. I finnally stoped answering her.

It is well worth the time and expense to get the SENTRI, but have everything that they tell you to have and get your windshield replaced now because they carge 25 bucks to replace the RFID sticker.

See you in line, ooppps I guess not I have SENTRI:coolup:

capt. mike - 6-27-2008 at 02:30 PM

get the sentri. it's the next best thing to going by air and chuckling at all the grounders below the wing as you wave over. :cool:

fishbuck - 6-27-2008 at 07:07 PM

Nothing even comes close to flying down in light aircraft. By far the best way to travel baja.

woody with a view - 6-27-2008 at 07:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
fyi
You will get an approval faster than you think and you will not be notified by email, make sure you go back to your GOES account every couple of days to check for approval. After you receive approval it will give you a list of items that you MUST bring with you to the interview. My company no long sends out pay check or pay stubs and we only have computer generated pay stubs. It says they must be originals. I called to discuss this with them and they would not accept a copy, even though the copy is the only original I have. So since it was near tax time I had a w2 and asked if that would work and she said yes.

Be aware that the folks I worked with in Calexico were *&^holes. Once I got to the office, I sat in the lobby by myself waiting for a half hour while 5 or 6 agents were sitting behind the counter ignoring me. When I approached them they told me that I would be called on shortly. Once I was called on I had all of my paperwork organzied and handed it over and you guessed it, a W2 is not accepted as proof of empolyement. I assked to speak with a supervisor, who was a giant (*^hole. I heard a lecture like somthing out of a bad movie. While holding up the document that you have to sign I heard "does it state anywhere on this document that a w2 is an acceptable form of paperwork" I got so ticked and was ready to tell him to take a hike. Lukily my wife was with me and she convienced him to accept the paperwork as is.

Once he signed off on it I was back to the other worker bee, who was of Mexican descent, and she started asking us why we were going into Mexico so often. We explained we had a home in Mexico. Oh brother, all I heard is,"you wouldnt catch me going to Mexico, let alone own property in Mexico, blah blah blah blah blah"
Then she asked why we were getting our sentri cardin Calexico when we live closer to Nogales. Again I explaoined that we had a home in SF and that we were on our way to SF. Yes, but Nogales is closer. SHe literally made that comment 3 or 4 times. I finnally stoped answering her.

It is well worth the time and expense to get the SENTRI, but have everything that they tell you to have and get your windshield replaced now because they carge 25 bucks to replace the RFID sticker.

See you in line, ooppps I guess not I have SENTRI:coolup:


you're a better man than i.......

get's my shorts all in a bunch just reading this...who do they work for anyway?:fire:

bajabound2005 - 7-4-2008 at 07:37 AM

on the car inspection -- they are looking for "alterations" - places where things and people can be hidden. They open and look under the hood, in the trunk, etc. You cannot be in the car while they inspect it.

The interview is straightforward. They basically just ask you the same questions that are on the application. Bring all the required documents and paperwork. Remember to bring your vehicle registration form and proof of insurance.

Our wait to schedule the interview was non-existent. They asked, "when?" and we gave them a day. No problem!

Go on line ---

beercan - 7-4-2008 at 07:37 AM

usually very little wait. We had ours in less than a week.
Just take YOUR ORIGINALS OF EVERYTHING !
Quote:

Does anyone know what the typical wait it these days to get an appointment? Something like 2 weeks? Or months?

BajaGringo - 7-6-2008 at 08:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaengnow, after getting our pass, we'll have to find out how in the world to get to the sentri line in SY and Otay


I created an online map to get to the SENTRI Lanes at San Ysidro by the Via Rapida:
http://www.bajagringo.com/MapSENTRIAccessSanYsidro.htm

If you don't know how to get on the Via Rapida, here is a map:
http://www.bajagringo.com/AccessViaRapidaWest.htm

I will put up some maps for the Otay SENTRI in a couple days...

bajabound2005 - 7-6-2008 at 08:33 PM

OTAY RULES!

bajaguy - 7-6-2008 at 08:34 PM

We had our SUV full of stuff for our Ensenada place when we went for the interview and vehicle inspection. We got our cards and then waited for the vehicle inspection....when the CBP Agent (a female) saw that we had our dog with us (a Yellow Lab), the inspection was forgotten, After a few puppy kisses, we got our vehicle sticker and were on our way.....

bajamigo - 7-6-2008 at 09:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaengnow, after getting our pass, we'll have to find out how in the world to get to the sentri line in SY and Otay


I created an online map to get to the SENTRI Lanes at San Ysidro by the Via Rapida:
http://www.bajagringo.com/MapSENTRIAccessSanYsidro.htm

If you don't know how to get on the Via Rapida, here is a map:
http://www.bajagringo.com/AccessViaRapidaWest.htm

I will put up some maps for the Otay SENTRI in a couple days...


Man, you should work for Garmin (or vice versa). What a great map! Ever since we got the SENTRI pass, we've shied away from SY in favor of Otay because we had no idea how to get there. This helps a lot---thanks!

BajaGringo - 7-7-2008 at 12:47 PM

There are a couple of different way to get to the San Ysidro SENTRI lanes and I will put some more up in the coming days as well as the Otay Maps.

Glad they are able to help you...

bajaguy - 7-31-2008 at 09:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaeng
..... what is a convinient way to get to the ...... sentri lanes, from the coastal toll road, with the minimum amount of driving through the thick of Tijuana? thanks




I would suggest Blvd 2000 from Popotla and cross using SENTRI at Otay. Fast and easy, we do it all the time!!!!!

SDRonni - 7-31-2008 at 09:40 AM

Came through Sentri lane yesterday. Longest wait yet. Over 30 minutes. It was about 4:00 p.m. I know, I know already, those of you w/o Sentri will think I'm nuts for complaining about 30 minutes, so please don't beat me up here. But I just wonder if this is typical for that time of day??????? By the way, progress on the Mar Y Sol condominium project is continuing, albeit very slowly, and now the completion date is projected to be by the end of this year. So far behind. Hope we're still young enough to enjoy it by the time it's ready.......

bajabound2005 - 7-31-2008 at 10:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SDRonni
Came through Sentri lane yesterday. Longest wait yet. Over 30 minutes. It was about 4:00 p.m. I know, I know already, those of you w/o Sentri will think I'm nuts for complaining about 30 minutes, so please don't beat me up here. But I just wonder if this is typical for that time of day??????? By the way, progress on the Mar Y Sol condominium project is continuing, albeit very slowly, and now the completion date is projected to be by the end of this year. So far behind. Hope we're still young enough to enjoy it by the time it's ready.......


Where did you cross?

bajabound2005 - 7-31-2008 at 10:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaeng
Hello,

sorry if this has been asked before: what is a convinient way to get to the San Ysidro sentri lanes, from the coastal toll road, with the minimum amount of driving through the thick of Tijuana? thanks


DIRECTIONS TO SY SENTRI LANE WHEN YOU ARE NORTHBOUND ON TOLL ROAD --
(these directions are a combination of two of our friends directions - we have not tried following these yet, but other say these are perfect directions). The "I" in these directions is not me, but my friend talking.

The directions below are easy to follow but for the next month, I would think twice about going this way early in the morning, unless you are traveling alone and want to stay on the toll road. The reason is that they are building a bridge across this "main road" to TJ so in Rosarito Norte before you reach TJ, both lanes of our side of the road are closed and we go over into the southbound traffic lanes. So north and south have only one lane each instead of two or three (this might be faster later in the day without commuter traffic). So that took me about 20 minutes to get through and I was wondering if it was worth it until I got to TJ!!! The directions below were perfect and I had a "7" SEVEN minute wait. I have added a few notes below just to make it a little easier for those of us nervous nellies but if you use these notes, you will have no problem. So even with the 20 minute delay, I was way ahead of schedule than if I had waited in the normal lines. My notes below are in parentheses.

* Exit Rosarito Norte exit (2nd exit after the 2nd toll booth) and stay on that main road. If you're in doubt as to what is the "main road", stay on the road where the white lines continue. If you reset your trip odometer it will be 11 miles from the turn off of the toll road, to the border crossing-give or take a couple of 1/10ths. (This was about 12.3 miles for me.)

(Just after the first traffic circle with the Indian in it, continue straight and be in the right hand lane.) *When you go over a bridge stay in the right hand land and you will see a large electric company complex on the right side. Turn right at that light, continue a few blocks and take the next street right,near a park, and you will hit Via Rapida. Turn right on Via Rapida.

* Stay on that road (kinda runs parrell with Via Rapida) and don't really move over and get onto Via Rapida. (You will see a sign telling those traveling on Via Rapida to come into your lanes on the parallel road.)

*After a couple of miles you will see signs for SENTRI and just stay on that road and it will come to an end and curve right. Then you have to be in one of the two left lanes (that are marked SENTRI).

SDRonni - 7-31-2008 at 10:59 AM

Those are exactly the directions we followed! And that was where the 30-minute wait began. It seemed those not in the Sentri lane were whizzing right by. I think part of the wait was that they were stopping us at times for traffic coming from the left. Going down, I got screwed up and got on the wrong side of the concrete barrier, so we ended up just taking the free road down. It was fine.....

bajabound2005 - 7-31-2008 at 02:55 PM

and that's why we always cross at Otay.

SDRonni - 7-31-2008 at 03:03 PM

This was the first time we have experienced any backup in the Sentri line. So, I'll ask once again............does anyone know if it is typically this way on a weekday around 4 p.m.???

bajaguy - 7-31-2008 at 03:04 PM

Dunno Ronni.....always cross at Otay....no problema!!!!

SDRonni - 7-31-2008 at 03:13 PM

Bajaguy. Got your U2U AFTER we returned yesterday! But thanks for the tip! Maybe someone else may know about the SY crossing about that time. Our condo development is north of Rosarito, so SY is usually more convenient for us. BUT.....if the Sentri continues as yesterday, we may reconsider..........

k-rico - 7-31-2008 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SDRonni
This was the first time we have experienced any backup in the Sentri line. So, I'll ask once again............does anyone know if it is typically this way on a weekday around 4 p.m.???


It's really hard to say what is typical except early morning it's crowded and late night it's not.

I've hit a lot of 20 minute waits in the Sentri lanes.

The summer is busier in all lanes during the day because the kids are out of school. Also, more and more TJ residents are getting Sentri passes.

bajaguy - 7-31-2008 at 05:56 PM

Ronni.....just a quick trip up the road from Popotla to your place!!!!!