23 replies to this topic

[sprucetree]

I have a Sentri interview in two weeks. Besides bringing in my documentation, does anyone know what the interview entails? What kind of questions do they ask?

I applied online two weeks ago and they have given me an in-person interview in another two weeks. Quick process.

Thanks

[Chiquito]

They will fingerprint you and check all the paperwork. If everything is in order then there is really nothing else they ask you. Any minor discrepancy though could cause problems. Normal government workers.

[jdcs167]

Correct. All they check is to make sure your paperwork is in order. Make sure you have everything sorted and on hand, they like that instead of watching you shuffle paper around. The biggest issue you will have is if you've had any incounters with the law. Just be truthful

[BajaGringo]

Very correct on the full disclosure part. I had a DUI 25+ years ago when I was dumb and stupid (more than now) and I did disclose the DUI on my application for SENTRI. I was never asked a question about it and was approved. A friend of mine had a DUI 20 years ago, forgot about it and didn't disclose it. He was rejected for that reason. He was told that he could apply again in the future. He waited a year, applied again disclosing the DUI on the next app and was approved the second time around. Typical government BS...

[Buen Amigo]

this information helps me as well. i have my interview on tuesday. I hope all goes well. I already have my folder ready with all the paper/documents they asked for. No problems with the law, so hopefully it goes well.

Do they ask you why you are applying for the pass?

[Cyanide41]

this information helps me as well. i have my interview on tuesday. I hope all goes well. I already have my folder ready with all the paper/documents they asked for. No problems with the law, so hopefully it goes well.

Do they ask you why you are applying for the pass?

How long ago did you apply? I just did mine earlier this week.

[Buen Amigo]

I applied like 2 weeks ago online, paid the $25 fee online as well. And got a reply like a week after that saying i could call to set up an interview.

While i was reading the other posts i thought wow 3 months?

But in total 2 weeks. You went to your interview already? How did it go?

[richsinc]

Very correct on the full disclosure part. I had a DUI 25+ years ago when I was dumb and stupid (more than now) and I did disclose the DUI on my application for SENTRI. I was never asked a question about it and was approved. A friend of mine had a DUI 20 years ago, forgot about it and didn't disclose it. He was rejected for that reason. He was told that he could apply again in the future. He waited a year, applied again disclosing the DUI on the next app and was approved the second time around. Typical government BS...

BS??? Don't think so! Think a nano-second at least. Someone lies to you and you find out, you don't wonder what else they are lieing about or trying to hide?

Just common sense to 99.999999999% of humans. Or, at least, I hope so.

[andy]

They used to ask some questions, not sure if they do any more. Questions such as:

* Is someone else asking you to apply for the Sentri pass?
* Is someone else paying for your Sentri pass?
etc.

Regarding a reason for having it - there is not requirement you need to meet. So if they would ask this, any answer is valid. Common myths:

* You need to be a US Citizen to quality - nope
* You need to be crossing frequently - nope
* You have some business reason to be in Mexico - nope

Anyone who has the legal right to enter the United States, can provide the requested documentation, pay the fee, and pass the background check can get one.

[otayBill]

At my interview they just looked at all the documentation I had to bring and asked any questions they had about it. Like why I pay rent in the middle of the month instead of the first of the month. If you live if Tijuana and work in San Diego its obvious to them why you want a Sentri pass.

The more documentation you can bring the better. For example, the employment I brought pay stubs, tax forms and company ID.

[Buen Amigo]

I am not sweeting it much, like all of you have said, just bring all the important paper work they are asking, and organized. i dont want to be flipping through pages, not knowing where my stuff is.

Those of you who have the sentri pass, what time do you leave for work? and how is the traffic in the sentri lane at that time?

[andy]

Those of you who have the sentri pass, what time do you leave for work? and how is the traffic in the sentri lane at that time?

Per a recent article in the San Diego Union Tribune, there are now over 100,000 people in the San Diego/TJ area with Sentri. Imagine what would happen if 5% of these people all decided to cross at the same time! 5,000 people in line at Sentri! (2 lines, 2,500 per line - the line would extend for miles)

Generally the traffic in the Sentri lane is worst during commuting hours. Early morning and late afternoon/evening. Many, many people take their kids to school every day. I generally get to the Sentri line between 5:45am and 6:30am each weekday. Wait varies between 15 minutes to 60 minutes. Avg. is 30 - 45 minutes. Can vary greatly. During the summer when school is out, it was generally less of a wait. I have waited over 90 minutes - yes, in the Sentri line.

More and more people are getting Sentri. More and more people are crossing the border over time. So the average wait time keeps increasing. 6-9 months ago if you were in the Sentri line before 6am you almost never waited longer than 15 minutes - now it's 30-45. 10 years ago when they only had 1 Sentri lane and not as many people were in the program, it was never more than 5 or 10 minutes!

Some of my friends cross between 9am and 9:30am. Usually the waiting time is less at that time. And the traffic in San Diego is lighter also. But if you work 8-9 hours from 10 am - 7pm, you may take longer to get back to Mexico. In general, it's faster to get into back into Mexico at 4pm - 5pm than 6pm - 7pm. There used to be a lot of traffic getting back into Mexico on Friday evenings - has not been as bad lately since tourism is way down. December can be tougher both ways due to the extra volume of people crossing for holiday gifts.

I you have a job where you have to work set hours and have to be on time - it can be tough. You need to allow a lot of extra time to get to work. You can plan on 45 minutes a day to cross and most of the time it's fine. But every once and a while it might take you 60 - 90 minutes to cross. If you don't allow extra time, you could be late.

Several weeks ago the Department of Homeland Security made some changes to the computer system and process at the border. For 1 week the wait time was 2-3 times normal. These things can and will happen from time to time.

Supposedly this new computer system will allow DHS to covert other lanes to Sentri lanes during peak times - but we have yet to see how that is going to work. And if you have not heard, the San Ysidro port of entry is soon going to be starting major construction for several years to expand the border. You can be this is going to cause additional delays at times.

The US government has little incentive to allow people to cross faster. The trend has been more security at all costs. If this trend increases, it's going to get worse. Hopefully not!

[otayBill]

Those of you who have the sentri pass, what time do you leave for work? and how is the traffic in the sentri lane at that time?

I leave for work a little after 8:00am, once the traffic in the Sentri lane has gone down. I listen to radio latina, 104.5, for the 'garita report' and go to eithier the Otay or the San Ysidro Sentri lanes, depending on which one has less traffic. The San Ysidro Sentri lanes are often quicker since it has four lanes while Otay has one. The wait is usually 0 - 25 min.

The Sentri lanes are crowded from about 6:00 am to 8:15 am; expect a 45 min. wait.

[Buen Amigo]

Andy, thanx for the full report. Very informative.

Otaybill, thanx for the info as well

Eighter way it looks like i am leaving early no matter what. lol. I have to be at my work by 8am. And it's about and 1hr- 1-1/2hr drive one i cross the border. Luckily i work 10 hour days, and only 4 days a week.

[Cyanide41]

But in total 2 weeks. You went to your interview already? How did it go?

No, I mean I just applied. I haven't heard anything back yet.


I have heard for $25 more you can add the pedestrian Sentri to your card as well. Anyone know anything about this?

[Buen Amigo]

Cyanide:

You should be hearing something soon. I was surprised at how fast they responded. Or maybe it depends. Maybe by this week or begining of next.

[andy]

I have heard for $25 more you can add the pedestrian Sentri to your card as well. Anyone know anything about this?

Pedestrian Sentri in San Ysidro is available to ALL Sentri members for no additional fee. You use your same card. I have used this a couple of times, very quick crossing. Effectively no line. You just need to head to the front of the line. Once you enter the port building there is a special line for pedestrian Sentri.

Article here online at SignOnSanDiego: http://www.signonsan...1m10sentri.html

[Buen Amigo]

Hey guys, just thought i'd let you know that i had my interview today. It was at 6:30 am. I was the only person in there. I thought there would be more people. But nope. Anyway. i signed in, sat down (not really) and they called me right away. I had made copies of everything, But they took all the originals, and made copies themselves. Took my photo, and my finger prints. Told me to sit a while. Monsters INC. was playing on the television. Then like 15 mins. later (even though they were just sitting around talking about random things) they called me back. (me still being the only one in the building).

They told me i was approved. Went over the rules, asked me some questions
*am i applying for the sentri pass for someone else to use it?
*am i using someone elses money to pay for this process?
*have i ever been arested in any other country?
*what other countries have i been to?

and some others.

Then they told me to pay the fee, and took my car around and they putthe sticker on the car window, and the card comes within 7-10 days.

so it went well....

[Cyanide41]

congrats!

[Buen Amigo]

Thanx

Ohhh i forgot one thing. Maybe the price has changed or i don't know. But it came out to be $97.25 for 5 years.