briantroy
Nomad
Posts: 198
Registered: 5-25-2004
Location: San Diego, CA
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SENTRI
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.
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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here is the number
(619) 690-7600
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clevenhagenjs
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 12-23-2004
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SENTRI
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.
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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They can take it away no reasons given, it has happened to a few people i know, watch out.
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PacO
Nomad
Posts: 173
Registered: 1-19-2005
Location: waiting for the sun
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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]
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Wait time for SENTRI pass
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.
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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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.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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BordnIn
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
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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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?
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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| 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". 
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]
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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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?
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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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!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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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.
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PacO
Nomad
Posts: 173
Registered: 1-19-2005
Location: waiting for the sun
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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.
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