BajaNomad

Sentri questions

Howard - 8-23-2017 at 02:34 PM

Thinking about applying for a Sentri Pass.

Once I receive the pass, does it do any good when returning from overseas at an airport such as LAX or does it only apply to crossing the border from Mexico to the USA?

Other than the obvious benefit of a much shorter waiting time in your car, what, if any, advantages are there to having a pass?

Other than you cannot cross with people that do not have a pass and have them walk across, is there any disadvantages to having one?

How picky are they upon inspection of the car in regards to the windshield? I have a few chips that I would not consider cracks.(maybe less than 1/4")

Any feedback would be appreciated.

SFandH - 8-23-2017 at 02:52 PM

I had a 2 inch crack in my windshield for a couple of years and one day an inspector sent me to secondary because of it. I had to replace my windshield before I could use the SENTRI lane again.

Assume the worst will happen. Sometimes they're great, sometimes they're boneheads.

mtgoat666 - 8-23-2017 at 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Thinking about applying for a Sentri Pass.

Once I receive the pass, does it do any good when returning from overseas at an airport such as LAX or does it only apply to crossing the border from Mexico to the USA?

Other than the obvious benefit of a much shorter waiting time in your car, what, if any, advantages are there to having a pass?

Other than you cannot cross with people that do not have a pass and have them walk across, is there any disadvantages to having one?

How picky are they upon inspection of the car in regards to the windshield? I have a few chips that I would not consider cracks.(maybe less than 1/4")

Any feedback would be appreciated.


The SENTRI (or READY) lanes are great. Faster, usually.

Sentri traveler id number can be used for air reservations so you get pre-check (most) every flight.

Sign up for GOES (no extra fee) at same time you do SENTRI and you can use the fast lanes at airport immigration when returning to USA by air.

They no longer inspect cars before approving cars for SENTRI.

BajaTed - 8-23-2017 at 03:33 PM

Highly recommend the GOES upgrade, some states drivers licenses won't be good for access to all federal airports, probably sooner than later.:o

What a show it will be when everyone @ SFO gets extra "vetting" due to California's sanctuary status.

gallesram - 8-23-2017 at 03:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Thinking about applying for a Sentri Pass.

Once I receive the pass, does it do any good when returning from overseas at an airport such as LAX or does it only apply to crossing the border from Mexico to the USA?

Other than the obvious benefit of a much shorter waiting time in your car, what, if any, advantages are there to having a pass?

Other than you cannot cross with people that do not have a pass and have them walk across, is there any disadvantages to having one?

How picky are they upon inspection of the car in regards to the windshield? I have a few chips that I would not consider cracks.(maybe less than 1/4")

Any feedback would be appreciated.


The SENTRI (or READY) lanes are great. Faster, usually.

Sentri traveler id number can be used for air reservations so you get pre-check (most) every flight.

Sign up for GOES (no extra fee) at same time you do SENTRI and you can use the fast lanes at airport immigration when returning to USA by air.

They no longer inspect cars before approving cars for SENTRI.


When I got my SENTRI card (several years ago), it didn't automatically get me into the pre-check program for use at airports. However, it did allow me to use the Global Entry lanes at immigration which is a huge plus. To enroll in the pre-check program I had to go to LAX and meet with an agent to enroll. It didn't cost me anything and I automatically qualified since I had SENTRI but had to take the extra step by physically going in person. Maybe things have changed since then (like inspecting cars)?

Howard - 8-23-2017 at 04:05 PM

I already have the pre check but I think it was only good for 5 years and if so it's coming up for renewal in the next year or so. Even though my credit card reimbursed me I think that was around $80 by itself. Makes the Sentri fee a bargain if it helps at the border and at the airport.

Thanks you everyone for the feedback.

BajaNaranja - 8-24-2017 at 02:34 PM

Howard! Get it done, is awesome!

Just a heads up that with SENTRI comes some special rules & regs beyond the ones you normally hear about (vehicle must be enrolled, no non-SENTRI passengers, etc.), and border agents have higher expectations about knowing and following rules @ the border.

* For ex., can't tow a trailer or put a camper on the vehicle you use when crossing via SENTRI.
* Some border agents will get salty if your car is "too full" of gear.
* Any screw up / flare up and they'll yank your SENTRI card.
* Their saying is "SENTRI is a privilege, not a right" - live by that!
* Be triple careful about no DUI, as eventually they'll yank your SENTRI pass, and it takes 10 years for DUI to roll off, as a SENTRI

As previously mentioned, tick the box when applying for SENTRI to also get Global Entry, then you use the short security line when returning to US via major airports.

And when flying domestically, enter your "Known Traveler Number" or KTN when making the reservation, and you should be all set for TSA Pre Check when going through security.

Buena suerte!!

AKgringo - 8-24-2017 at 02:48 PM

The first time I got a boarding pass with 'TSA pre check' on it, I did not even know what it was until I had already gone through normal check in. The agent explained that I could use the shorter line and leave my shoes on etc, but it is not something that I ever applied for.

Maybe it is because Alaska is my home state, and all of my air travel the last few years has been to or from there. I don't know how I got the status, but I will take it!

Howard - 8-24-2017 at 03:02 PM

Thanks for all the advise and will certainly apply for one soon.

As far as the pre-check, as I said before, I already have one but it's probably ready to expire soon so this will be sweet.

Sr. AKgringo, don't get to exited about your pre-check, before I had mine my boarding pass occasionally had that pre-check but not all the time, it's just a spot/random thing.

mtgoat666 - 8-24-2017 at 05:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gallesram  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Thinking about applying for a Sentri Pass.

Once I receive the pass, does it do any good when returning from overseas at an airport such as LAX or does it only apply to crossing the border from Mexico to the USA?

Other than the obvious benefit of a much shorter waiting time in your car, what, if any, advantages are there to having a pass?

Other than you cannot cross with people that do not have a pass and have them walk across, is there any disadvantages to having one?

How picky are they upon inspection of the car in regards to the windshield? I have a few chips that I would not consider cracks.(maybe less than 1/4")

Any feedback would be appreciated.


The SENTRI (or READY) lanes are great. Faster, usually.

Sentri traveler id number can be used for air reservations so you get pre-check (most) every flight.

Sign up for GOES (no extra fee) at same time you do SENTRI and you can use the fast lanes at airport immigration when returning to USA by air.

They no longer inspect cars before approving cars for SENTRI.


When I got my SENTRI card (several years ago), it didn't automatically get me into the pre-check program for use at airports. However, it did allow me to use the Global Entry lanes at immigration which is a huge plus. To enroll in the pre-check program I had to go to LAX and meet with an agent to enroll. It didn't cost me anything and I automatically qualified since I had SENTRI but had to take the extra step by physically going in person. Maybe things have changed since then (like inspecting cars)?


if you got sentri, you dont need a separate application for pre-check. just enter your sentri "known traveler number" into space on your online reservation (your number is on back of your sentri card). as long as your air reservation name exactly matches your sentri name, bob's your uncle

Udo - 8-26-2017 at 12:03 PM

The "HIGHER EXPECTATIONS" is definitely a must for anyone using SENTRI. When you declare nothing, CBP assumes the only thing in your vehicle is yourself.
If you have a travel bag because you are going to board a plane, IT must be declared.


Quote: Originally posted by BajaNaranja  
Howard! Get it done, is awesome!

Just a heads up that with SENTRI comes some special rules & regs beyond the ones you normally hear about (vehicle must be enrolled, no non-SENTRI passengers, etc.), and border agents have higher expectations about knowing and following rules @ the border.

* For ex., can't tow a trailer or put a camper on the vehicle you use when crossing via SENTRI.
* Some border agents will get salty if your car is "too full" of gear.
* Any screw up / flare up and they'll yank your SENTRI card.
* Their saying is "SENTRI is a privilege, not a right" - live by that!
* Be triple careful about no DUI, as eventually they'll yank your SENTRI pass, and it takes 10 years for DUI to roll off, as a SENTRI

As previously mentioned, tick the box when applying for SENTRI to also get Global Entry, then you use the short security line when returning to US via major airports.

And when flying domestically, enter your "Known Traveler Number" or KTN when making the reservation, and you should be all set for TSA Pre Check when going through security.

Buena suerte!!