BajaNomad

Global Entry wait time?

Howard - 6-7-2021 at 08:41 AM

I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.

I called them and surprisingly got right through and a friendly person looked me up. I have been approved and now I need to wait for my card in the mail. She said once I get my card I need to make an appointment at the border to get my car inspected.

My first question is anyone with a similar experience and how long does it take to get your card? She said 4-6 weeks but I am sure that is a canned answer. What is the next step after receiving the card if I want to use it to drive northbound from Mexico to the U.S.? She also mentioned that I can only use this without a card at airports.

Something doesn't sound right.

Udo - 6-7-2021 at 08:47 AM

The card comes in 1-2 weeks to the address on record. Many of us did not have to have vehicle inspections.
You will cross at any US port of entry, but you will need to find the Sentri lane, which is sometimes difficult to find.

SFandH - 6-7-2021 at 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.


"No mention on appointments or car inspection."

Are you saying you got approved without an in-person interview?

Bajazly - 6-7-2021 at 08:57 AM

I assume because you are getting your card you did the interview? After my interview it took like a week to get the card in the mail. DON'T forget to activate it before you use it, they don't like that, I know from experience.

Usually the car inspection is the first time you cross the border, the most relaxing, friendly and fast secondary you will have ever encountered, at least it was for me, about 5 or 10 minutes sitting in the air-conditioned waiting booth and I was on my way. Some I have heard of have never been inspected but I have never heard of making an appointment for car inspection.

I would just cross and see how it goes and play dumb if you need to, should be fine.

The Wonderer - 6-7-2021 at 08:59 AM

Switched from expired Sentri to GE.
Approval was a day or 2. Got our cards a week later.

Howard - 6-7-2021 at 09:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.


"No mention on appointments or car inspection."

Are you saying you got approved without an in-person interview?


No, I had an in person interview 3 or so years ago. They turned me down and I finally got around to calling B.S. 3 years later. 6 weeks ago via an E-Mail submission of proof that they were wrong I received my approval via E-Mail this morning.

When I called they said no more appointments needed and they had my pictures and fingerprints on file so they can mail me my card. She said that I didn't have to get my car inspected as I had submitted that information in the past.

Seems way to efficient for the government but all I can do is wait and see.

JZ - 6-7-2021 at 09:22 AM

Got the card within 10 days of the interview. You have to activate it. And have to have it at the border. Didn't have to get the truck inspected.

At the airport TSA does not want to see the card, and in fact they won't look at it. If your reservation doesn't have your Trusted Travel Number on it they won't accept your card as proof. You have to go back to the counter to get it entered, or go through security with the peasants.


[Edited on 6-7-2021 by JZ]

del mar - 6-7-2021 at 09:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.


"No mention on appointments or car inspection."

Are you saying you got approved without an in-person interview?


No, I had an in person interview 3 or so years ago. They turned me down and I finally got around to calling B.S. 3 years later. 6 weeks ago via an E-Mail submission of proof that they were wrong I received my approval via E-Mail this morning.

When I called they said no more appointments needed and they had my pictures and fingerprints on file so they can mail me my card. She said that I didn't have to get my car inspected as I had submitted that information in the past.

Seems way to efficient for the government but all I can do is wait and see.


why were you denied the first time?

AKgringo - 6-7-2021 at 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar  


why were you denied the first time?


They must have found this forum with the avatar Howard posted. They may have figured that anybody who can put a dog's head on a parrot can probably forge anything! :O

Howard - 6-7-2021 at 12:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.


"No mention on appointments or car inspection."

Are you saying you got approved without an in-person interview?


No, I had an in person interview 3 or so years ago. They turned me down and I finally got around to calling B.S. 3 years later. 6 weeks ago via an E-Mail submission of proof that they were wrong I received my approval via E-Mail this morning.

When I called they said no more appointments needed and they had my pictures and fingerprints on file so they can mail me my card. She said that I didn't have to get my car inspected as I had submitted that information in the past.

Seems way to efficient for the government but all I can do is wait and see.


why were you denied the first time?


A slight fracture of the law 40 years ago that had been reduced 35 years ago.

Howard - 6-7-2021 at 12:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by del mar  


why were you denied the first time?


They must have found this forum with the avatar Howard posted. They may have figured that anybody who can put a dog's head on a parrot can probably forge anything! :O


Don't be a dissin my bird dog!

Don Pisto - 6-7-2021 at 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I just received an E-Mail saying I was approved and I can start to use it by just giving them the number they sent in the E-Mail. No mention on appointments or car inspection.


"No mention on appointments or car inspection."

Are you saying you got approved without an in-person interview?


No, I had an in person interview 3 or so years ago. They turned me down and I finally got around to calling B.S. 3 years later. 6 weeks ago via an E-Mail submission of proof that they were wrong I received my approval via E-Mail this morning.

When I called they said no more appointments needed and they had my pictures and fingerprints on file so they can mail me my card. She said that I didn't have to get my car inspected as I had submitted that information in the past.

Seems way to efficient for the government but all I can do is wait and see.


why were you denied the first time?


A slight fracture of the law 40 years ago that had been reduced 35 years ago.


is this typical they'll let you make it all the way to interview before being denied? :?:

Howard - 6-7-2021 at 12:44 PM

Thank you to all who gave their input.

I don't know if that was typical.

BajaMama - 6-8-2021 at 10:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by The Wonderer  
Switched from expired Sentri to GE.
Approval was a day or 2. Got our cards a week later.



I had the same experience last summer though my SENTRI was not expired. BUT my husband's approval took 7 months and a follow up interview was required. In all the times I have crossed using SENTRI or my new GE, I have never ever been asked to inspect my vehicle.

Woo Hoo!

Howard - 6-14-2021 at 04:32 PM

Today around 10:00 A.M. I went to Tecate to cross northbound and the line was all the way back to the right at the "T" and down the street.

Turned around and went to Otay and the wait was over 2 hours.

Finally got home and low and behold there she was, a brand new shining Global Entry card just waiting for me. So it took just under a week from approval until I got this card.

I think I am more exited than when I got my discharge papers from the military! I feel like going somewhere just to use it.

JZ - 6-14-2021 at 04:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Today around 10:00 A.M. I went to Tecate to cross northbound and the line was all the way back to the right at the "T" and down the street.

Turned around and went to Otay and the wait was over 2 hours.

Finally got home and low and behold there she was, a brand new shining Global Entry card just waiting for me. So it took just under a week from approval until I got this card.

I think I am more exited than when I got my discharge papers from the military! I feel like going somewhere just to use it.



Nice. The first time you use it and pass a thousand cars you'll feel even better.

boe4fun - 6-14-2021 at 04:49 PM

Hola Howard, I would try to get verification for your vehicle in writing, just in case you have problems when crossing.

New question about cars

Howard - 6-14-2021 at 06:53 PM

Can one person have more than one car registered to use crossing northbound?

My main car is registered but wondering if I can add a vehicle, not replace the original one.

Anyone have 2 cars registered under the same card?

JZ - 6-14-2021 at 07:58 PM

Yes, you can have more than one vehicle. I have two registered.

Log into the Trusted Traveler portal.

Scroll down and you will see a button that says Add Vehicle.

Howard - 6-14-2021 at 08:15 PM

Gracias

Terry28 - 6-14-2021 at 10:03 PM

I too was denied in May for a 50 year old infraction..I appealled and was notified today that the CBP Ombudsman overturned the denial. It also took almost exactly 6 weeks for the appeal process...Damn, some parts of the govt. work. I am stoked for sure,,,,card should be here in a week..

elgatoloco - 6-15-2021 at 06:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Can one person have more than one car registered to use crossing northbound?

My main car is registered but wondering if I can add a vehicle, not replace the original one.

Anyone have 2 cars registered under the same card?


I have three. So far. Two Saturdays ago I bought a vehicle. Added it via dashboard on Sunday. Wednesday got email saying done Friday drove it to Baja and back. easy peasy