BajaNomad

SENTRI

briantroy - 1-19-2005 at 10:55 AM

Anyone have the phone number or know the address/link for the SENTRI pass application? From the past posts I read it looks like something worth getting. Still as fast as it was? Anyone commute semi-daily using this? Any help is apprecitated.

here is the number

fdt - 1-19-2005 at 11:02 AM

(619) 690-7600

SENTRI

clevenhagenjs - 1-20-2005 at 03:19 PM

I use it on a daily basis and have had very good luck with it! It makes the difference in me having a shorter commute when I cross the Border. By all means GET IT...Take the time to get it, go thru all the trouble you must because it is worth it. They plan on expanding the SENTRI to 4 Lanes at San Ysidro in the next 3-6 months. I have been told this information from Congressman Filner's Associate Mario Lopez who sits on the Board for the SENTRI.

JESSE - 1-20-2005 at 03:21 PM

They can take it away no reasons given, it has happened to a few people i know, watch out.

PacO - 1-20-2005 at 03:43 PM

www.ins.usdoj.gov I just called and my family appointment won't be until April 6. The gentleman I talked to stated that I need to pick up in person a package of updated requirements.

[Edited on 1-20-2005 by PacO]

Wait time for SENTRI pass

BOREDnIN - 1-26-2005 at 06:56 PM

Since it looks like there is a long wait to get the pass I have a question. If you don't live in Baja yet, but are planning on moving (but not sure of exact address yet), could you go ahead and get your appointment date set up? That way once you do get moved you won't have to fight the lines each day. We would be commuting daily and this is a big issue for us.

DanO - 1-26-2005 at 07:38 PM

I'd set the appointment up now regardless. The cost is not that great, and if you have to run back and forth before actually moving, it'll save tons of time. In the almost three years we've had ours, we've had to wait more than a couple of minutes only a couple of times, and the longest wait ever was about six minutes (not counting the two times we got randomly selected by the computer to go to secondary).

Jesse's point is 100% correct -- they can take your passes away for many reasons, so pay attention to all of the rules. In particular, I always make sure I have the required documents in my vehicle at all times (like a current proof of insurance and registration), I never have in the vehicle any person (or their stuff, even if they're not in the vehicle themselves) who does not have a pass (this includes grandchildren -- a friend lost his pass this way), and I never bring any food into the U.S., regardless of what it is or where I got it.

You are allowed to bring back certain food items. But the list is long and complicated (e.g., guacamole OK, avocados not OK, but what if your avocado just happens to be all smashed up at the bottom of the bag that also happens to contain a chile, half a lime and a bunch of cilantro, eh?). If you screw up and they catch it (like during one of the random secondary stops), the passes of everyone in the vehicle can and probably will be pulled and no one can reapply for a year. They don't care what the excuse is or if you bought those pork chops at Ralphs in San Diego. The way I see it, I don't need the food that badly, and there are folks I know down south who really appreciate my extra groceries when I have to clear out my fridge for the trip north.

BordnIn

Baja Bernie - 1-26-2005 at 07:44 PM

You do not have to live in Baja to get the pass and it is well worth the wait--normal wait in line 30 minutes=2 to 5 minutes at Sentri. I have had it for over two years and it is wonderful. I used to cross the border at least 50 times a year so it was really worth the money--Still is. Once you have the pass you can keep it until you renew and then change your address. (double check this you might have to change address after you move to Baja) Don't wait to apply because the wait to get the sentri clearance becomes longer every day

BOREDnIN - 1-27-2005 at 05:00 AM

Thanks! That's what I thought after looking at their web site. Do you have to pay anything to set up the appointment, or do you just pay for everything when you actually go in for your appointment?

jeans - 1-27-2005 at 08:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BOREDnIN
Thanks! That's what I thought after looking at their web site. Do you have to pay anything to set up the appointment, or do you just pay for everything when you actually go in for your appointment?


You pay half at your first appointment where you turn in all your required paperwork. Then, after you pass the background check, they call you to set up a appointment for your vehicle inspection. (another month or more away)

This is where I ran into trouble. My truck has a Callen campershell. With the double doors in the back it looks like a full, slide-in camper, which, apparently is not allowed in the program. At the time I applied, there was nothing in any of the paperwork that addressed the issue of campers/campershells.

My truck was denied at first sight. When I explained to the very hard-nose woman that it was only a camper shell, there was a group discussion among the inspectors, and a trip inside for clarification. It was deemed that "shells" were allowed if there were windows to look in. This over-ruled the woman. Then she looked inside and saw a small cabinet and flat denied my pass. I was not a "happy camper". :fire:

I can retry Round Two with another vehicle or remove my campershell. Since I see they are telling people to pick up additional requirements, they are probably now addressing the camper/campershell issue. At least I hope they are so no one has to go through what I did.

I will be getting a car soon and will try again, since it looks like I will need to visit my parents a lot.

[Edited on 1-27-2005 by jeans]

BOREDnIN - 1-27-2005 at 03:34 PM

Thanks for the info! Nice to hear from people that have been through it. OK...now the question I dread asking. Will a 2 1/2 year old DUI keep you from getting the pass?

Baja Bernie - 1-27-2005 at 06:42 PM

Probable not if that is all that there is. Just call the phone number listed somewhere above and they will tell you--they don't want to waste their time either.
Luck to you!

BOREDnIN - 1-27-2005 at 07:34 PM

Cool, thanks! Yes, that is all there was to it. We are going down to Rosarito the end of February, will probably just stop by Otay Mesa and pick up the forms and ask about that when we are there.

PacO - 1-27-2005 at 08:05 PM

The duece shouldn't preclude you. I asked about family members joining and stated that one of my family members had a misdemeanor pot possesion. He stated that would not preclude him from getting thru the process, for whatever that's worth.