BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Pedestrian Sentry News
Diver
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-13-2008 at 01:25 PM
Pedestrian Sentry News


SAN YSIDRO – The nation's first permanent pedestrian SENTRI lane, which can be used by all SENTRI pass holders, opened Tuesday at the San Ysidro port of entry.
Video

The San Ysidro Port of Entry has a new and permanent fast-pass pedestrian lane for low risk, pre-approved travelers.


The opening coincided with the end of a four-year pilot program that allowed up to 5,000 participants to use a temporary pedestrian SENTRI lane for free. Those who participated must now apply for a regular five-year SENTRI pass to continue using the permanent lane.

The lane opened at 6 a.m., and by 2 p.m., 88 people had used it, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said. The lane will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

“It's wonderful,” said Miguel Diaz, 65, of Tijuana, breezing past the long line of border crossers to the inspection booth in a matter of seconds. “It's going to make the crossing time much shorter.”

While border waits in the regular lanes tend to be shorter for those on foot than for those in vehicles, the backup for pedestrians can still be an hour or more. In the SENTRI lanes, participants' citizenship information is immediately displayed on the inspector's computer, streamlining the questioning process.



Advertisement On Tuesday, even during the peak early-morning commute, there was no wait for pedestrians in the SENTRI lane, said Robert Hood, deputy assistant director for the Otay Mesa port of entry, who is charge of SENTRI enrollment for both ports.
Hood said there are currently more than 100,000 registered SENTRI users in the San Diego-Tijuana region.

SENTRI participants may now use both the vehicle lanes and the pedestrian lane, which until Tuesday morning had been reserved for those participating in the pilot program.

A SENTRI pass costs $122.25, is good for a five-year period and requires a background check, fingerprints, and an interview with a Customs and Border Protection official.

New SENTRI cards are being issued with radio-frequency technology that allows the cards to be read from a distance. The cards will be considered acceptable travel documents in lieu of passports for U.S. citizens entering by land from Mexico when new rules take effect June 1.

Prospective participants may apply by visiting cbp.gov/travel.
View user's profile
tjBill
Senior Nomad
***


Avatar


Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-14-2008 at 07:12 PM


Sentri Pedestrian pass is much needed since the Pederstrian line at San Ysidro is frequently over two hours at peak times.
View user's profile
lizard lips
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1468
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-23-2008 at 11:49 AM


Last week I crossed walking and used the sentri pedestrian lane which probably saved me 1 hour and as I was walking past everyone else I got yelled at several times but just kept walking. The left lane is marked "Sentri" and no one was in it!

When I got to the custom agent he looked at my card and said I could not use it for this lane. He said it was for vehicles only. He went over to another agent and after talking for a few minutes he came back and said he was confused and allowed me to enter. I asked him why he initially told me I colud not cross and then he showed me sentri cards that were specifically for pedestrians. It says right on the card "Pedestrian Sentri".

So, those of you who don't have cars can go get these and cross without a hitch!
View user's profile

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262