EnsenadaDr
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Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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TSA pre-check and Sentri pass?
I heard that the Sentri pass would expedite security at airports, and it appears maybe that might be true. I was given the TSA pre-check throughout
my entire airport experience these last few weeks and wondered if that was the reason. But no one seemed to know what the Sentri pass was when I
asked the Homeland security agents at the airport.
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DawnPatrol
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Registered: 11-19-2013
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I heard that the Sentri pass would expedite security at airports, and it appears maybe that might be true. I was given the TSA pre-check throughout
my entire airport experience these last few weeks and wondered if that was the reason. But no one seemed to know what the Sentri pass was when I
asked the Homeland security agents at the airport. |
I think you will only find that the major international airports have the sentri kiosks for passport entry into the US to bypass the
passport/immigration lines and are familiar only to the US Customs agents
I have seen the kiosks at LAX and JFK, I am sure they are in others
The TSA people wont be familiar with them IMO , especially if the airport you are in doesn't have a Sentri Kiosk and they dont work in that area
anyways
I came into San Diego from Cabo a couple years ago and their small customs area did not have a Sentri kiosk
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Pacifico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I heard that the Sentri pass would expedite security at airports, and it appears maybe that might be true. I was given the TSA pre-check throughout
my entire airport experience these last few weeks and wondered if that was the reason. But no one seemed to know what the Sentri pass was when I
asked the Homeland security agents at the airport. |
Here is what I have learned:
The PASSID # on the back of your Sentri card is is your "known traveler" or "trusted traveler" number that gives you the TSA Precheck privledges at
the airports. When you purchase your airline ticket, this # must be entered at that time so that "TSA Precheck" is shown on your boarding pass.
The Global Entry kiosks use your passport to identify you if you are in the system. I don't think they will take your Sentri card. I have used these
kiosks in Phoenix, Houston, and Miami. There are probably at least 12-15 international airports that have them. I think all the major ones do,
anyways.
When my wife and I did our Sentri interview, the agent went through our passports and saw that we go to other countries other than just Mexico. So,
she entered us into the Global Entry/ trusted traveler program as well. No additional cost and it has been great! I've used it several times now and
have yet to use my Sentri card because I am either towing or have others with me that don't have Sentri cards.
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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CortezBlue
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Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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you need to follow the directions
you need to find an airline that supports the program
you need to register with the airlines
fyi, it is a US program
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
- Albert Einstein
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www.cortezblue.com
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Marc
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I have a TSA walkthrough. Saves some time & I don't have to remove the shoes.
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dasubergeek
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You do NOT need to enroll with the airlines. Just put your PASSID number in the Known Traveler Number slot when you buy a ticket (or update your
online frequent flyer profiles to do it for you automatically).
You're never guaranteed expedited security, but I've only been rejected once out of a zillion flights.
Global Entry does not use your SENTRI card; it's just a flag on your passport record. You walk up to the Global Entry booth (do try not to blow
raspberries at the poor schlubs in the long regular line), scan your passport, then answer the questions that you would normally write on the customs
declaration card they distribute on the plane, and get a card printed out. You hand it to the guard (there will be a short line for this) and you are
either sent on your way or referred to an agent for manual processing.
The reason they don't know what SENTRI is? It's only for the Mexican land (and technically sea) crossing, not airports. If you called it "Global
Entry" you'd be better understood.
Last point: you can use your SENTRI card in the NEXUS lanes when driving TO the United States FROM Canada. You just can't use the NEXUS lanes
northbound into Canada, because you haven't been vetted by the Canadian government. If you're flying back, though, use the Global Entry kiosks, not
the NEXUS kiosks.
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55steve
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Location: Warner Springs, CA
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My SENTRI doesn't get me Global Entry but my wife has it on hers. I was told that I need to bring my passport down to the office at SY and they will
scan it and add Global Entry.
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aguachico
Senior Nomad
Posts: 602
Registered: 3-23-2007
Location: tijuana
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Mood: logic cannot get thru to the illogical
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TSA prechecks were added to the trusted travelers recently. It enables you to add the number to participating airlines and keeps you from undressing
in front of the TSA clerks. Not to be confused with Global entry which allows you to use the Pilots line while returning from international flights.
They are two different programs. You should make an appointment to your Sentri office and have it added to your passport.
I was there on Friday for a renewal appointment which ran 2 hours late because of staffing issues.
On another note - Sentri, like the DMV process people as fast as they can. Like a machine they handle 100's of people a day. I watched one Chilango
couple and another rich pe-rr-a gringa have hissy fits while in Sentri. I have two friends that work in that office and they couldn't be nicer
people if they tried. I have been to Sentri 4 times this year. Sometimes you are in and out quickly, other times not so fast. Plan accordingly. Have
patience and imagine life in the regular lane.
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JZ
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Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DawnPatrol
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I think you will only find that the major international airports have the sentri kiosks for passport entry into the US to bypass the
passport/immigration lines and are familiar only to the US Customs agents
I have seen the kiosks at LAX and JFK, I am sure they are in others
T |
More and more are adding it. Austin has it for a couple months. Love Field is adding it now. So, it's not just the big ones.
If you fly a lot your airline will sponsor you for it and you don't need to even sign up. Delta did this for me. Makes things fast at LAX.
[Edited on 12-22-2013 by JZ] |
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dasubergeek
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Registered: 8-17-2013
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Actually these days they're trying to drum up business in TSA Pre Check, so people who aren't members through one program or another will occasionally
get a random draw that permits them to use it. Really gums up the works, grumble snarf.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Well first I thought it was a negative thing, but it actually expedites things tremendously, They did wipe my hands down and test for explosives
though as I walked through. Surprise surprise!!
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