mrfatboy
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Posts: 478
Registered: 4-17-2008
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Sentri, West, East Calexico?
Happy Easter Everybody,
We are just starting thinking of our annual trip down to San Felipe today. I always look forward to the Memory Day trip but dread the trip back
across the border as I'm sure everybody else does.
I try to scour the this forum for any insight how to cross the border faster. 
Although, I know I will ultimately be screwed 
I found these two websites for border wait times. Does anybody know how accurate they are?
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/portList.asp?action=port&n=25030...
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/portList.asp?action=port&n=25030...
Also, I was looking at a Sentri pass again. I see that they are thinking about lowering the price to $45 or something. I only go once a year but if
you get across the border quickly it's money well spent. It does however creep me out that my finger prints would be in the "system". I'm not sure
it really worth it to apply and go thru all the interviews and what not.
My buddy has one and when we go down to his place in Rosarito and then return he drops me off right at the Tijuana border(10 cars or so before the
border) and I just walk across while he drives thru. He picks me up on the other side by the Mcdonalds. Very simple. Does anybody else do this method?
Would the strategy work for calexico? Is the setri lane close to the walk thru border crossing?
One more question. I have never thru the East Calexico border crossing. Any better, worse, or just the same especially for a Memorial Day return
trip?
thanks
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Cross the border at around 10:00 pm. It'll be a breeze.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Calexico East closes at 10pm.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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mrfatboy
Nomad
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Registered: 4-17-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Cross the border at around 10:00 pm. It'll be a breeze.
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I don't trust that grin  I'm looking for info from helpful nomads not trolls
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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this works better
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
I found it to be a fair tool to use...the problem is this....those lines can change into monsters within an hour or two.
I leave for the USA from San Felipe.....at midnight. The lines are shorter, it's cooler....and less window washers 
Entering Mexico to SF......never a line.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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I found out the hard way yesterday, as we ran out of town in San Felipe at about 4pm, that the Sentri line on the east gate shuts down at 6pm.
Also, the military check point was bad at about 4:15
We were lucky and went to the far right lane and there was only one car in front of us, plus were were waved through. However we had to wait nearly a
half hour to get off of the main road into the multiple lanes at the check point.
Anyone have any update on how it was on Sunday?
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Get the Sentri and there is no $45 dollar discount. The confussion on the $45 dollar Sentri is if you have Sentri you can get the Global Entry for
other entries at airports which gets you out of the big long lines when you come back into a crowded airport having to clear customs.
Now, the Sentri at the East port is fast and yes it is open 6am to 10pm and I have not heard about it closing at 6pm, but will check that out. In
daytime hours up to 5pm is when I used it and it was really fast. You can also have someone drop you off at East Port walk through which never has a
line and then walk about half a mile outside through security gate to meet someone picking you up at the stop sign area leaving the car customs area.
The old port's Sentri is open until 12pm and then too bad too sad it is closed. The walkin lines are usually always long now at the old port so GET
THE SENTRI and travel fast. Costs about $125 and if you only use it 5 times just think of all the hours of waiting at the border, so what is your
time worth??? Take minimum wage and multiply it by the number of hours waiting for 5 times, Hmmmmmm sounds more like GET THE SENTRI time,LOL.
Wished nobody had to be in those long waiting lines just makes life tough on everyone but 911 took care of anyone getting a faster way! Take Care
& Travel Safe "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777
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mrfatboy
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Registered: 4-17-2008
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Is it even feasible to get a sentri pass before memorial day? How long does the process take?
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
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Sentri Pass process
The SENTRI process goes like this:
1.)Go to the GOES web site here:
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/
and fill out an application form that pretty much tells all about you.
2.)Pay a $25 fee via credit card
3.)Get a notification in the mail about two weeks later that you have been approved for the pass. The letter gives you an appointment for an
interview at Calexico or Otay Mesa for an interview....the date can be adjusted on the GOES web sit above but you will find that the dates are all
about 45 to 60 days out. I think they investigate you more during this time.
4.)Go to the interview with the vehicle you will be using to cross the border and everyone who is seeking the pass. Bring ALL the documents they
demand...no exceptions.
5.)pay another fee of $121 (+/-..for got the actual number) per each applicant and go through two more interviews with inspection of your documents
and and inspection of your truck.
6.) If you pass they will place a window sticker on your truck and you will get the SENTRI pass(s) in the mail in about 5 business days.
The process at Otay Mesa took us about 2 1/2 hours. The people there were very nice and professional.
Our first trip across the border at Mexicali West took us 10 minutes with the SENTRI pass....worth it.
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mrfatboy
Nomad
Posts: 478
Registered: 4-17-2008
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Thanks for all the info. It looks like I'm too late to get a sentry pass by memorial day. I guess I will just try the calexico east border this time.
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Airport Bum
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Calexico East was always some faster than Calexico West without the SENTRI pass. It's also a little nicer place to wait if you have to wait. Our
average wait out there was always around 45 minutes to and hour except on the days just after a holiday...then it was bad,bad,bad.
We always got to to the East crossing around noon because that fit our schedule....earlier or later times may have been better but we didn't worry
about that. We have friends who are hyper about getting the best/shortest crossing times and they came up with all kinds of "rules" to accommodate
that. We didn't think we needed them given the 45 min to an hour we experienced.
The SENTRI pass, however, is the hot ticket!!
BB:-)
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bonanza bucko
The SENTRI process goes like this:
1.)Go to the GOES web site here:
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/
and fill out an application form that pretty much tells all about you.
2.)Pay a $25 fee via credit card
3.)Get a notification in the mail about two weeks later that you have been approved for the pass. The letter gives you an appointment for an
interview at Calexico or Otay Mesa for an interview....the date can be adjusted on the GOES web sit above but you will find that the dates are all
about 45 to 60 days out. I think they investigate you more during this time.
4.)Go to the interview with the vehicle you will be using to cross the border and everyone who is seeking the pass. Bring ALL the documents they
demand...no exceptions.
5.)pay another fee of $121 (+/-..for got the actual number) per each applicant and go through two more interviews with inspection of your documents
and and inspection of your truck.
6.) If you pass they will place a window sticker on your truck and you will get the SENTRI pass(s) in the mail in about 5 business days.
The process at Otay Mesa took us about 2 1/2 hours. The people there were very nice and professional.
Our first trip across the border at Mexicali West took us 10 minutes with the SENTRI pass....worth it. |
My Process was a bit different.
Pricing is the same, however, I was notified by email. I had to, within 30 days, schedule a meeting at the Border Patrol Station. In my case we went
to Carr Rd. in Mexicali.
Once we scheduled our meeting we arrived 1/2 hour before the 1:00 appointment. I think we waited until almost 1:30 before anyone even came to the
desk and made the announcement.
We also had a bit of trouble. At the time, you had to have an "original" pay check stub. So I called ahead of time and told them I had to print off
a copy from the internet, "oh no, that is not an original" so I suggested I bring my W2, as this was Feb time frame. "No Problem"
Well, wrong it was a problem. The Supervisor, who was full of himself, held up the document and in a loud voice announced, "where are this document
does it say that you can use a W2 to show employment?"
My wife, the educator, stepped in and calmed the situation.
Bottom line after 3 hours, we were approved. Fingerprinted, took our picture and handed us our SENTRI card on site. They then had me pull my car up
to the restricted area and inspected it and placed a sticker on my car.
So a bit different, then what Bucko described, but basically the same.
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mrfatboy
Nomad
Posts: 478
Registered: 4-17-2008
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I just wanted to report back what I ended up doing for this Memorial Day. I arrived at the Calexico West border at 10:55am. Traffic backed up to the
plastic surgeon's building on left. It took us 1:50 to make full crossing. I guess it could have been worse.
I'm going to sign up for the Sentri pass for next year for sure 
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