BajaNomad

Any Tips About Getting The SENTRI Pass?

DavidE - 8-20-2012 at 09:43 AM

Looks like I'm going to need one if I am ever to make a medical appointment on time in my lifetime. The process -- what's it like? The interview? I have never had a problem with CBP nor with the police or courts anywhere so that isn't an issue. I just don't want to pay non-refundable money and then find out there's this "snag" everybody but me knew about.

Thanks

DanO - 8-20-2012 at 10:10 AM

One word: SLOW. Otherwise, if you have no issues you should have no problems. The application process is all online and very straightforward. The interview isn't really substantive, it's just several hours of sitting around while they process your paperwork, take your picture and fingerprints, inspect your vehicle and process the vehicle sticker, and lecture you on the many ways you can get your pass pulled. That said, they're pretty cordial about it.

bajaguy - 8-20-2012 at 10:40 AM

David.......

Very easy on line process. Have your passport, vehicle registration and drivers license in hand before you start the on-line process.

Answer all questions completely and truthfully

Appointment at SENTRI office is a breeze. They go over your application, want to see your passport, drivers license, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance. They take your photo and fingerprints, inspect your car (no cracks or damage to windshield, no aftermarket tint on front side windows, look in trunk and engine compartment).......slap on a vehicle sticker. Give you a receipt and mail your SENTRI card....you should get it in about two weeks.

When you get called for the interview, be sure to bring a book with you to read while you wait and also a bottle of water........be cheerful, friendly and smile a lot.

[Edited on 8-20-2012 by bajaguy]

CortezBlue - 8-20-2012 at 11:09 AM

WHo has gone through a renewal??
What is the process.

DavidE - 8-20-2012 at 11:14 AM

Aww crap, the windshield has got a bad crack. Two hundred bucks. Lineup, here I come.

bajaguy - 8-20-2012 at 11:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
WHo has gone through a renewal??
What is the process.





Pretty much the same as original. You do it on line, then wait for approval. After approval, you make an appointment for the interview....need passport and DL, they take fingerprints and photo......if you have a vehicle in the program, and your SENTRI has not expired, then your vehicle is OK................you can renew up to a year before the expiration date

danaeb - 8-20-2012 at 12:57 PM

About the appointment. You may find that your first open window is a month or two out. Select your appointment date, but keep checking back on the website for openings. You can cancel the original and rebook. I was able to reduce my window by four weeks. This was at the OTAY facility.

[Edited on 8-20-2012 by danaeb]

Mula - 8-20-2012 at 01:14 PM

We have a 1986 F250 pickup and just had a new windshield put in it 2 months ago for $120 USD all in 1 hour.

Check the glass places in GN, bet it's cheaper than $200.

DanO - 8-20-2012 at 01:32 PM

Be sure to apply for the renewal well in advance of the lapse date on the old card. I failed to do this and got a renewal appointment that was after the lapse date. Although I was told on the phone by the SENTRI office that I could use the old SENTRI pass to cross because I had a renewal appointment scheduled, the guys at the crossing saw it differently and took it away from me.

Also, for anyone applying to change their vehicle, be advised that the process takes as long as a regular SENTRI application. I'm still waiting on mine.

estebanis - 8-20-2012 at 02:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Aww crap, the windshield has got a bad crack. Two hundred bucks. Lineup, here I come.

I go to the Glass shops next to the Pick a Part. They will replace the glass with an OEM for much less than other places. Been doing this for years many are even open on Sunday so you can replace the smashed in window from a Saturday night break in.
Esteban

DavidE - 8-20-2012 at 02:49 PM

Yeah, I gotta learn where all these places are. When the sun is just wrong that full width eyeball level crack looks like a Darth Vader death beam. Not only do I have to scrunch down or rear up to see past it, I imagine a California Highway Patrolman could see the glare from a mile away. Not only that I see the weatherstripping seal has a one-inch gap where it butts up near the top driver's side corner.

"Pick-A-Who?"

Mil Gracias

Mula - 8-20-2012 at 03:07 PM

The weather seal rotted away with age and a big crack is why we had our windshield replaced and with this rain, I am sure happy we did replace it!

durrelllrobert - 8-20-2012 at 06:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Yeah, I gotta learn where all these places are. When the sun is just wrong that full width eyeball level crack looks like a Darth Vader death beam. Not only do I have to scrunch down or rear up to see past it, I imagine a California Highway Patrolman could see the glare from a mile away. Not only that I see the weatherstripping seal has a one-inch gap where it butts up near the top driver's side corner.

"Pick-A-Who?"

Mil Gracias

Pick-A-Part. estebanis is talking about a chain in the US

DavidE - 8-20-2012 at 07:18 PM

Gloat? I don't think so. I must say that passing through a border crossing sometimes twice a day for almost three years has taken all the starch out of me. I figure I have what 500 entries (?) into Mexico and 500 returning to the USA carved into so many notches there's no handle left. And US Customs "does not get used to" frequent crossings and just wave people through they recognize. So fear not; I just want to get back and forth for medical reasons.

Renewal

bigmike - 8-21-2012 at 12:08 AM

We have been told by several friends that recently renewed that they
did everything on line, got their approval and since all was the same they
just mailed them new cards, no appointment necessary, guess you just hope your the lucky one.

bacquito - 8-21-2012 at 03:27 PM

Make sure you have a clean record. I have a friend who claims he did nothing criminal but had a minor incident on his record and they would not issue the card

gallesram - 8-21-2012 at 03:33 PM

I renewed my Sentri pass online just before it expired about 2 months ago; did everything online, paid the fee, and the new card arrived 2 weeks later. Didn't have to make an appointment. Really easy.

bajaguy - 8-21-2012 at 03:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
Make sure you have a clean record. I have a friend who claims he did nothing criminal but had a minor incident on his record and they would not issue the card





And if he listed the "minor incident" on his application (like the instructions state), he probably would have received his card

Ateo - 2-24-2013 at 11:49 AM

I'm applying. My truck has a 1/2" crack in the windshield. Shall I get a new one?

mrfatboy - 2-24-2013 at 12:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I'm applying. My truck has a 1/2" crack in the windshield. Shall I get a new one?


Check out my thread here about windshield cracks for reference. They said nothing about it and gave me my sticker. Size does matter :)

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=53245#pid6715...

Ateo - 2-24-2013 at 01:27 PM

Thanks mrfatboy!!!

Ateo - 2-24-2013 at 02:37 PM

Applications submitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm on my way!

mrfatboy - 2-24-2013 at 03:04 PM

I just got my sentri and it went fast. I was pre approved in 4 days. My initial interview was scheduled 3 months out. However, I checked back in a couple of days and a better interview time opened up just a week later. :)

The whole process from online submission to card in hand was less then 4 weeks. I got lucky. YMMV.

durrelllrobert - 2-24-2013 at 04:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
Make sure you have a clean record. I have a friend who claims he did nothing criminal but had a minor incident on his record and they would not issue the card





And if he listed the "minor incident" on his application (like the instructions state), he probably would have received his card

Absolutely correc t Terry. I failed to list a 1957 weekend in jail for multiple counts of loud exhaust pipes because it was long ago I forgot about it. Of course they had it in their records and because"I LIED" I was denied and told that I could never apply again even if I had the record sealed.
DHS could care less that I had a Top Secret clearance for 40 years that also showed up on my record.

File a challange

bajaguy - 2-24-2013 at 09:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
Make sure you have a clean record. I have a friend who claims he did nothing criminal but had a minor incident on his record and they would not issue the card





And if he listed the "minor incident" on his application (like the instructions state), he probably would have received his card

Absolutely correc t Terry. I failed to list a 1957 weekend in jail for multiple counts of loud exhaust pipes because it was long ago I forgot about it. Of course they had it in their records and because"I LIED" I was denied and told that I could never apply again even if I had the record sealed.
DHS could care less that I had a Top Secret clearance for 40 years that also showed up on my record.





I know someone who was denied because did not list a juvenile arrest and because he thought the records were sealed. His initial application was denied. He filed a challange and was granted an interview and after explaining the suituation to CBP, he was approved.

You can reverse their decision if you are persistant and present all of the facts.

CortezBlue - 2-25-2013 at 06:16 AM

What about a DUI?

My buddy wants to apply but has had a DUI or 2 from many years ago

[Edited on 2-25-2013 by CortezBlue]

SFandH - 2-25-2013 at 06:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
What about a DUI?

My buddy wants to apply but has had a DUI or 2 from many years ago

[Edited on 2-25-2013 by CortezBlue]


A friend of mine was denied because of a 9 year old DUI. He was told to apply again when the DUI was 10 years ago. He did and was approved. So at the time, just recently, the rule for DUIs was 10 years old or more.

But who knows, from all that I've read the rules/procedures seem to change frequently.

BTW, I had mine taken away because of a small crack in the windshield. Fixed the windshield, went to Otay, got the pass back.

CortezBlue - 2-25-2013 at 06:54 AM

Quote:
BTW, I had mine taken away because of a small crack in the windshield. Fixed the windshield, went to Otay, got the pass back.




Funny you should mention that. I have a NASTY crack, in my windshield, that is!!

I called to ask if I could use a blow dryer to remove the sticker and put it back on the window. The lady at San Luis station said, NO. And went on to explain that if I didn't get the window fixed I could loose my SENTRI.

Today at 3 I get my windshield replaced and go to Nogales Friday to get my new sticker put on.

CortezBlue - 2-25-2013 at 06:56 AM

Quote:
BTW, I had mine taken away because of a small crack in the windshield. Fixed the windshield, went to Otay, got the pass back.




Funny you should mention that. I have a NASTY crack, in my windshield, that is!!

I called to ask if I could use a blow dryer to remove the sticker and put it back on the window. The lady at San Luis station said, NO. And went on to explain that if I didn't get the window fixed I could loose my SENTRI.

Today at 3 I get my windshield replaced and go to Nogales Friday to get my new sticker put on.

larryC - 2-25-2013 at 09:24 AM

I want to apply for a Sentri pass, but don't want to pay and then find out that I or my truck don't qualify. I also got caught in 1968 crossing the border with some undclared licquor hidden in the trunk of the car. Should I not bother to apply?
Larry

bajaguy - 2-25-2013 at 01:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
I want to apply for a Sentri pass, but don't want to pay and then find out that I or my truck don't qualify. I also got caught in 1968 crossing the border with some undclared licquor hidden in the trunk of the car. Should I not bother to apply?
Larry





...."I also got caught in 1968 crossing the border with some undclared licquor hidden in the trunk of the car.".......

Was there a report written???, did you pay a fine???, were you detained???

I would apply and list it, after all....it's 40+ years old. be truthful on the application and in the interview.

Why wouldn't your truck qualify????.....live in truck campers not allowed in the program, camper shells are OK

larryC - 2-25-2013 at 04:36 PM

Actually I was detained. I was in the Air Force at the time and getting ready to go overseas. Crossing at San Ysidro, BP called the Shore Patrol, they took me to 32nd street. The SP called my AFB in Virginia and told them about my detention. The Air Force said to release me and send me back on my own. When I got to Virginia the First Sargeant yelled at me and said they would call me in that afternoon so commander could yell at me some more. I waited all afternoon and heard nothing. I'm still waiting to get called in. Not sure I'll tell Sentri people I was never called in. Maybe I'll tell them they scared the hell out of me and I have never done anything like that since.:lol:
Larry
Larry

bajaguy - 2-25-2013 at 09:20 PM

Larry, I would be up front and just list the facts (squadron level verbal admonishment) on the application and explain at the interview.....the CBP agent will probably get a laugh out of it

durrelllrobert - 2-26-2013 at 05:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Actually I was detained. I was in the Air Force at the time and getting ready to go overseas. Crossing at San Ysidro, BP called the Shore Patrol, they took me to 32nd street. The SP called my AFB in Virginia and told them about my detention. The Air Force said to release me and send me back on my own. When I got to Virginia the First Sargeant yelled at me and said they would call me in that afternoon so commander could yell at me some more. I waited all afternoon and heard nothing. I'm still waiting to get called in. Not sure I'll tell Sentri people I was never called in. Maybe I'll tell them they scared the hell out of me and I have never done anything like that since.:lol:
Larry
Larry
"ARRESTED" means that you were fingerprinted even if you were then released without going to jail or court. All fingerprints go to the FBI and hence to DHS and the Sentri folks. Doesn't sound like you were fingerprinted so there sould not be any record of the incidence..

larryC - 2-27-2013 at 08:25 AM

I really can't remember if I was fingerprinted or not. It was 45 years ago. I'll probably tell them about it and see what happens.

tjsue - 5-20-2013 at 10:24 AM

I just got approved for my Sentri Pass. My interview is on July 1, but I'll keep checking back for an earlier date.

Bruce R Leech - 5-20-2013 at 10:44 AM

can you get a pass on a Mexican car?

schwlind - 5-20-2013 at 10:58 AM

Quote:
Funny you should mention that. I have a NASTY crack, in my windshield, that is!!

I called to ask if I could use a blow dryer to remove the sticker and put it back on the window. The lady at San Luis station said, NO. And went on to explain that if I didn't get the window fixed I could loose my SENTRI.

Today at 3 I get my windshield replaced and go to Nogales Friday to get my new sticker put on.


I didn't have a bad crack, but did have a chip in the windshield from a passing truck throwing a rock... The windshield was replaced and they very carefully removed the Sentri sticker and placed it on the new windshield... No problem going through Sentri at all.

schwlind - 5-20-2013 at 11:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
can you get a pass on a Mexican car?


I would think so... as I see a lot of Mexico plated cars in the Sentri line.

sancho - 5-20-2013 at 11:08 AM

I assume there is a simple way to check one's record,
I've got a couple minor things, 30 yrs. ago, anyone
anyone ever do this before applying?

CortezBlue - 5-20-2013 at 11:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
can you get a pass on a Mexican car?


I am assuming, yes.

I have been in the sentri office and have seen many Mexican nationals getting sentri cards, I am assuming they had cars

jeans - 5-20-2013 at 01:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy

camper shells are OK


Not always. My Callen Campershell was denied. It had a cabinet that ran the width of the shell. Otherwise it was a shell sitting on the wall of the truck bed with no "over the cab". DENIED. I sold it and got my jeep..IT WAS ALSO DENIED because the front plate wasn't mounted.

I went to a nearby auto parts store, bought a license plate frame and in dress clothes, using a borrowed drill, sat on the curb and installed it. THEN went back about an hour later without an appointment. APPROVED!!

jeans - 5-20-2013 at 01:55 PM

Incidentally, If you renew a Senrti Pass and you are NOT renewing your vehicle along with it, make sure you supply a copy of the release of liability if it's been sold. My new Sentri Pass got flagged because they wanted to know if I still owned that car. Apparently, the new owner hasn't been behaving himself.

Hell, all that I cared about was that he had CASH.

bajaguy - 5-20-2013 at 03:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
I assume there is a simple way to check one's record,
I've got a couple minor things, 30 yrs. ago, anyone
anyone ever do this before applying?





Put EVERYTHING on your application, no matter how minor, or how long ago

Bruce R Leech - 5-20-2013 at 03:55 PM

the site is not clear on the cost for children. anyone have any idea how much it would cost for my 2 daughters under 15, my car and I?

tjsue - 5-20-2013 at 06:48 PM

I think you have to have a pass for everyone in your family, but I'm not sure of the cost.

Percebusue - 5-28-2013 at 07:59 PM

Do it, Do it, Do it..... It makes life sooooo much easier. The process is simple, easy and it is worth EVERY penny... Love breezing through that line in less than 5 minutes it's a life saver!!!!

tjsue - 5-29-2013 at 06:51 AM

The process is very easy. Fill out the application, submit it with the $25 application fee, and wait for the email telling you that your status has changed. I applied for mine on April 10, and last week I received my email letting me know that my status has changed, and I conditionally passed the background check. I have an appointment on June 25 for my interview and vehicle inspection. If you don't like the date, you can change it online, which is what I did. It was originally on July 1, but I changed it to June 25. I won't change it again, unless I get scheduled to work at a convention.

durrelllrobert - 5-29-2013 at 09:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
can you get a pass on a Mexican car?
I'd guess that at least 1/3 of the cars I see in the SENTRI lane have Mexican plates. Always wondered how they checked their criminal background?

willardguy - 5-29-2013 at 09:52 AM

right now in san ysidro the lanes are:

8 sentri lanes
6 ready lanes
5 regular lanes

just curious, what do you NON SENTRI HOLDERS think of this?

:?::?:

brewer - 6-4-2013 at 10:42 PM

Just a bump so I'll see it tomorrow and review.

brewer - 6-5-2013 at 07:56 PM

How about a four wheel pop up camper? Anyone know if that would be allowed? A friend had a Callen that was allowed, but I don't know about a pop up.

Thanks.

brewer - 6-6-2013 at 06:02 PM

Anyone know about a pop up camper? Allowed to get a Sentri?

[Edited on 6-7-2013 by brewer]

danaeb - 6-6-2013 at 06:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
the site is not clear on the cost for children. anyone have any idea how much it would cost for my 2 daughters under 15, my car and I?


Google is your friend. From the FAQ's on the SENTRI site:

Q: My family (husband, wife, children) would like to apply for SENTRI membership but there isn't a family option when applying on the GOES website. What should I do?

A: Every individual who would like to apply for membership - children included - must create a separate account within GOES and submit a separate application. The application fee of $25 must be paid online at the time the application is submitted. Once you go to the enrollment center for your appointment (after you've been conditionally approved, an update will be noted in your GOES account instructing you to contact the local enrollment center to schedule an appointment for your interview), the CBP officer will verify that you meet the requirements as a family. Also, the remainder of the family fee of $194.50 will be due at the time of your appointment. You can either schedule a separate appointment on-line per family member, or call a local enrollment center. Please let the officer know you are scheduling for your entire family.
A family enrollment option is slated as a future addition to the GOES system.

elgatoloco - 6-6-2013 at 07:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Anyone know about a pop up camper? Allowed to get a Sentri?

[Edited on 6-7-2013 by brewer]


We have a pop up camper. We have Sentri. We were told we could not use Sentri with pop up on truck. We only put camper on when we are going camping and then we cross in the ready lanes with Sentri pass. Rest of time we have no camper and we uses regular Sentri. When we got Sentri I did not have camper on truck. Viva Sentri.

brewer - 6-6-2013 at 08:56 PM

Bummer on that news about a pop up camper. I guess I'll be taking it off a lot more than I wanted to.