BajaNomad

Sentri Pass Question

BajaGeoff - 2-10-2010 at 01:07 PM

How many Nomads have the Sentri Pass or want to get one?

Woooosh - 2-10-2010 at 01:53 PM

and miss the drive-thru food court? The food is actually getting good there...

BajaGeoff - 2-10-2010 at 03:33 PM

They serve the Sentri lanes too.....but only when they are a little backed up!

knuckles - 2-10-2010 at 05:38 PM

Husband has one, wife has a Misdemeanor from 1975. I am a threat to Homeland Security. Have not bothered to reapply or appeal as I walk across faster than he drives accross with the pass. Guess that will need change when we get the next knee replacement.

Wondering why do you ask?

noproblemo2 - 2-10-2010 at 06:47 PM

They also aren't issued for those in an RV.

bajabound2005 - 2-10-2010 at 07:11 PM

and I LOVE it.

alafrontera - 2-10-2010 at 07:13 PM

Got it and love it ! I walk across, have not tried driving. I walk past a 45 minute + line straight up to the CBP agent, rarely anyone ahead of me. If there is a backup at the turnstyle (and there often is) you just pass it by, walk to the fence and call out "SENTRI !" They let you through while a hundred eyes shoot daggers at you. The pedestrian SENTRI line also serves busses so there may be a line but you just hold up your card and get the agents attention, he waves you to the front. They seem to have an awesome respect for SENTRI holders, like they actually care :o It's like you are a diplomat or something :coolup:

I figure it took me ~4 hours to get and has saved me 20 hours so far. And I go every week so soon that will be 100+ :cool:

[Edited on 2-11-2010 by alafrontera]

SENTRI

bajaguy - 2-10-2010 at 09:35 PM

Never leave home without it.....and worth every penny!!!!!

bigmike - 2-11-2010 at 01:10 AM

Have it and love it everytime I have to go to the states.:spingrin::spingrin::spingrin:

k-rico - 2-11-2010 at 07:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by knuckles
Husband has one, wife has a Misdemeanor from 1975. I am a threat to Homeland Security. Have not bothered to reapply or appeal as I walk across faster than he drives accross with the pass. Guess that will need change when we get the next knee replacement.

Wondering why do you ask?


You might want to reapply. When the SENTRI program first started your rap sheet was considered and a judgment was made as to whether or not you were a risk. The process was modified in 2007 or so to remove judgment and follow what is stated in the "Old statement" below. It has been modified again, reverting to the original process, as stated in the "New statement" below.

Old statement:

Q: How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the SENTRI program?
A: Criteria for Eligibility: A SENTRI applicant must not have any penalties, violations, arrests, convictions or pending law enforcement investigations in their backgrounds. Any positive encounters with state, federal and local law enforcement, border agencies, military authorities, etc would render an applicant inadmissible to the SENTRI program. In the case of dismissed charges, certified court records will be required before membership consideration into the SENTRI program.

New statement:

Q: How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the SENTRI program?
A: Criteria for Eligibility: A SENTRI applicant may be declared ineligible for membership of there are penalties, violations, arrests, convictions or pending law enforcement investigations in their backgrounds. Any positive encounters with state, federal and local law enforcement, border agencies, military authorities, etc may render an applicant inadmissible to the SENTRI program. In the case of dismissed charges, certified court records may be required before membership consideration into the SENTRI program.

Woooosh - 2-11-2010 at 09:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Quote:
Originally posted by knuckles
Husband has one, wife has a Misdemeanor from 1975. I am a threat to Homeland Security. Have not bothered to reapply or appeal as I walk across faster than he drives accross with the pass. Guess that will need change when we get the next knee replacement.

Wondering why do you ask?


You might want to reapply. When the SENTRI program first started your rap sheet was considered and a judgment was made as to whether or not you were a risk. The process was modified in 2007 or so to remove judgment and follow what is stated in the "Old statement" below. It has been modified again, reverting to the original process, as stated in the "New statement" below.

Old statement:

Q: How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the SENTRI program?
A: Criteria for Eligibility: A SENTRI applicant must not have any penalties, violations, arrests, convictions or pending law enforcement investigations in their backgrounds. Any positive encounters with state, federal and local law enforcement, border agencies, military authorities, etc would render an applicant inadmissible to the SENTRI program. In the case of dismissed charges, certified court records will be required before membership consideration into the SENTRI program.

New statement:

Q: How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the SENTRI program?
A: Criteria for Eligibility: A SENTRI applicant may be declared ineligible for membership of there are penalties, violations, arrests, convictions or pending law enforcement investigations in their backgrounds. Any positive encounters with state, federal and local law enforcement, border agencies, military authorities, etc may render an applicant inadmissible to the SENTRI program. In the case of dismissed charges, certified court records may be required before membership consideration into the SENTRI program.


Was there a difference? It would seem a 1975 arrest is still a 1975 arrest (positive contact) and she would still be ineligible for SENTRI. Or do I need another cup of joe?:?:

k-rico - 2-11-2010 at 09:15 AM

cuppa joe

it's the difference between "will be denied" and "may be denied"

Woooosh - 2-11-2010 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
cuppa joe

it's the difference between "will be denied" and "may be denied"


Thanks- my senior moments are coming earlier in the day. I used to be sharp in the morning. The second cup of Joe didn't hurt either.

[Edited on 2-11-2010 by Woooosh]

knuckles - 2-11-2010 at 12:57 PM

Thanks everyone for trying to find an angle for me ..... Youthful offender, was supposed to have record wiped clean after 1 year. .....too young and stupid to follow up and never gave it another thought until 30 years later in the sentri office. What an embarassment that was!

The jurisdiction did not even have a record of it, so I had to hire an attorney to have it reopended and expunged from my record. Waited 6 mos to have it flow through the system to DOJ and then reapplied online. The very next day I get an email with a denial.

Any other creative ideas are welcome, allthough I just don't give a damm right now. But am afraid I will as I get older.

k-rico - 2-11-2010 at 01:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by knuckles
Thanks everyone for trying to find an angle for me ..... Youthful offender, was supposed to have record wiped clean after 1 year. .....too young and stupid to follow up and never gave it another thought until 30 years later in the sentri office. What an embarassment that was!

The jurisdiction did not even have a record of it, so I had to hire an attorney to have it reopended and expunged from my record. Waited 6 mos to have it flow through the system to DOJ and then reapplied online. The very next day I get an email with a denial.

Any other creative ideas are welcome, allthough I just don't give a damm right now. But am afraid I will as I get older.


Do you know if you were denied before or after the rule change I described above? When did you reapply?

knuckles - 2-11-2010 at 01:40 PM

It was mid 08 when I reapplied.

k-rico - 2-11-2010 at 01:49 PM

Maybe try again, I think the rule change is very recent, but I'm not sure.

SDRonni - 2-11-2010 at 02:04 PM

Nearly lost mine a couple of weeks ago when, being pulled to secondary for a "routine" check, I failed to put my new insurance card in my wallet! Luckily, DH had his copy with him. He told me if I had lost my Sentri, he would make me walk across and he'd pick me up on the other side. I nearly had a heart attack. This was a good lesson for me and I will NEVER fail to have all the appropriate paperwork at the ready.

Bajahowodd - 2-11-2010 at 04:53 PM

Happy trails to all you SENTRI holders who cross frequently. Perhaps I'm feeling just a bit cranky today, but my take on this program is that is is just another layer of government intrusion, disguised as a convenience. I just would like to know what the government plans to do with all the information they are amassing on the average citizen. The previous administration was victorious in inculcating what appears to be a permanent sense of fear. In my opinion, the US- Mexican border has become a paranoid travesty.

mtgoat666 - 2-11-2010 at 05:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Happy trails to all you SENTRI holders who cross frequently. Perhaps I'm feeling just a bit cranky today, but my take on this program is that is is just another layer of government intrusion, disguised as a convenience. I just would like to know what the government plans to do with all the information they are amassing on the average citizen. The previous administration was victorious in inculcating what appears to be a permanent sense of fear. In my opinion, the US- Mexican border has become a paranoid travesty.


Homeland Insecurity should allow all to cross border promptly, and people should not have to pay to cross promptly. Homeland Insecurity slows trade and commerce by not allocating sufficient resources to man inspection points. Cities of TJ and SD would see great economic boost if Homeland Insecurity would speed border crossings.

Bajahowodd - 2-11-2010 at 05:41 PM

Thank you. Fact is that only a miniscule amount of drugs are confiscated at the regular border crossings. And it is highly unlikely that Osama will be hiding in the trunk of a Camry coming across. Although he was criticized by the Republicans, the administration's chief of security spoke the truth when he stated that we will never be able to prevent 100% of any terrorist attacks. The charade going on at the border makes me sick. I have passed through there for decades with nothing more than a smile and my drivers license. The current situation, with hours of delay at times, serves to do nothing more than to stifle tourism in both directions, not to mention provide a daily hassle to those who live and work cross-border. I have advocated a day pass program wherein, for instance, vacationers and conventioneers visiting San Diego could transit the border on a whim. Domestic traveler just don't bring passports with them. Not to mention that the US has one of the industrialized nation's lowest rate of passport possession. I really feel for the poor merchants and hospitality people in Baja. Obviously, the cartel violence has created a transitory problem. But, even if tomorrow, the violence was gone, the passport requirement and the long border waits place an amazing chill on tourism. I cannot see tourism returning to historic levels for quite sometime to come.

mtgoat666 - 2-11-2010 at 05:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Thank you. Fact is that only a miniscule amount of drugs are confiscated at the regular border crossings. And it is highly unlikely that Osama will be hiding in the trunk of a Camry coming across. Although he was criticized by the Republicans, the administration's chief of security spoke the truth when he stated that we will never be able to prevent 100% of any terrorist attacks. The charade going on at the border makes me sick. I have passed through there for decades with nothing more than a smile and my drivers license. The current situation, with hours of delay at times, serves to do nothing more than to stifle tourism in both directions, not to mention provide a daily hassle to those who live and work cross-border. I have advocated a day pass program wherein, for instance, vacationers and conventioneers visiting San Diego could transit the border on a whim. Domestic traveler just don't bring passports with them. Not to mention that the US has one of the industrialized nation's lowest rate of passport possession. I really feel for the poor merchants and hospitality people in Baja. Obviously, the cartel violence has created a transitory problem. But, even if tomorrow, the violence was gone, the passport requirement and the long border waits place an amazing chill on tourism. I cannot see tourism returning to historic levels for quite sometime to come.


Impact is not just on tourism. Impacts are to all sectors of economy.

knuckles - 2-11-2010 at 08:07 PM

Wood and Goat you both make very good points. Big Brother knows all, but hasnt a clue what to do with all that data to protect us. They make life a quagmire of frustration for decent citizens, and can't manage a no fly list to prevent an obivous threat from boarding a plane. I had these very concerns when we first applied, but figured after the passport issuance, the IRS jungle and the insurance data base, what the hell was one more intrusive government process. Perfect example, 1975 still lives in some agencies data base FOREVER.

Ronni... my husband drops me and I walk and sometimes I still get across before him. I enjoy the show on both sides. Its always interesting.

Doug/Vamonos - 2-12-2010 at 10:25 AM

My wife and I finally got sentri. We didn't previously because we always towed something. My first use was a couple weeks ago on Sunday. I managed to find my way to the sentri line at 6:55pm, Sunday night. I swear this is the truth. At 7pm I was on the 805. There were maybe a dozen cars ahead of me in line. I looked across at the regular border lanes and they were absolutely packed. I have a shell on my truck and it was packed full of stuff. I had my two dogs, no wife. The border inspector said hi, asked if I had anything to report, I said no, they said see ya. Awesome. If you cross frequently you are crazy not to spend the money and time for sentri. Unless you like waiting in line. Then again...don't get it and I'll get across quicker!

bajaguy - 2-12-2010 at 10:27 AM

Doug

check our u2u

knuckles - 2-12-2010 at 12:55 PM

Yeah, they even give my dog sentri privleges and I walk. I am really paying my debt to society years later. :)

BajaGringo - 2-12-2010 at 01:05 PM

The last administration in Washington (president/vice-president) had three DUI's between the two of them. A good friend of mine who is a retired treasury agent was denied a SENTRI pass because of a DUI he had something like 25-30 years ago.

So I wonder if Bush or Cheney would be denied a SENTRI pass?

bajaguy - 2-12-2010 at 01:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by knuckles
Thanks everyone for trying to find an angle for me ..... Youthful offender, was supposed to have record wiped clean after 1 year. .....too young and stupid to follow up and never gave it another thought until 30 years later in the sentri office. What an embarassment that was!

The jurisdiction did not even have a record of it, so I had to hire an attorney to have it reopended and expunged from my record. Waited 6 mos to have it flow through the system to DOJ and then reapplied online. The very next day I get an email with a denial.

Any other creative ideas are welcome, allthough I just don't give a damm right now. But am afraid I will as I get older.





DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT rely on anyone clearing your record for you. It takes time and some effort, but do all of the leg work yourself, petition the judge/court yourself and when you get the judgement, ensure that DOJ clears the record.....or get another court order from the same judge/court directing DOJ to act!!!!!!

Bajahowodd - 2-12-2010 at 01:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
The last administration in Washington (president/vice-president) had three DUI's between the two of them. A good friend of mine who is a retired treasury agent was denied a SENTRI pass because of a DUI he had something like 25-30 years ago.

So I wonder if Bush or Cheney would be denied a SENTRI pass?


As if either of them would be caught dead driving to Mexico? In fact, with secret service protection, they don't need SENTRI. They have something better.

BajaGringo - 2-12-2010 at 01:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
The last administration in Washington (president/vice-president) had three DUI's between the two of them. A good friend of mine who is a retired treasury agent was denied a SENTRI pass because of a DUI he had something like 25-30 years ago.

So I wonder if Bush or Cheney would be denied a SENTRI pass?


As if either of them would be caught dead driving to Mexico? In fact, with secret service protection, they don't need SENTRI. They have something better.


I know, but I just love asking the question...

:lol:

Bajahowodd - 2-12-2010 at 01:49 PM

Asking a question to which you already know the answer. Provocateur! :lol: