Sentri Pass thread

[makobob]

10:40 am, drove all the way past the TOWER before line stopped. Never had that happen before.

[GTT]

Nexus Card

[Mahigeer]

I think that is for Canada, not Mexico.

[rossman]

There is an interesting thread on one of the other forums that I follow regarding the SENTRI card. Here's what the OP originally posted:


So I've had my SENTRI for 5 years now (I am waiting for the renewal as we speak). I very rarely go to Baja unless I cam doing some sort of camping. I've crossed about 50-75 times with my SENTRI and a pretty loaded Land Cruiser with camp gear.

Today however as I was coming back north, the CBP officer was very upset about me having a "full" SUV of gear. He said I was violating SENTRI laws, and that he could revoke my card, send me to secondary, etc.

Anyways, since I've been home I'm trying to find the rules and see if it explicitly says anything about this. I don't recall seeing anything and I've never had another officer even mention anything. He said that I need to use the Ready lanes next time.

I don't have a pass and have no intentions of getting one since I only cross the border once or twice a year but I thought this was interesting. Anyone ever read the fine print on going through with a loaded vehicle versus just human cargo?

Just as an aside, Aquachico, who is an old time member of BWE and no doubt crosses the border more often than makobob, left the following advice on the other forum.

It's a coin toss. Best thing to do is call their bluff. Say you are aware you have a lot of stuff and it goes against the spirit of the sentri lane. You would like to go into secondary as you are not in a hurry.

Done it a few times. Once I went into secondary, it's a 15 minute dog sniff. Good time to stretch, take a quick nap or hit the head.

[Mahigeer]

Thanks for the heads up. I would not call 50-75 trips "rarely".

I don't recall seeing anything except trailer use issue.

For me going to secondary is not a problem. I hope they have bathroom, or it is peeing in the jar.

Waiting in long line is the issue, but once I get to the booth, I have all day if they want to search my SUV.

I think the officer had a bad day, and maybe felt empowered to be harsh toward the OP. Lot of that is going on these days.

[rossman]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Thanks for the heads up. I would not call 50-75 trips "rarely".

I don't recall seeing anything except trailer use issue.

For me going to secondary is not a problem. I hope they have bathroom, or it is peeing in the jar.

Waiting in long line is the issue, but once I get to the booth, I have all day if they want to search my SUV.

I think the officer had a bad day, and maybe felt empowered to be harsh toward the OP. Lot of that is going on these days.

I think you are right about the bad day for the officer, or the traveler brought it on himself with an attitude. You never know.

Only been in secondary once and that was at San Ysidro, ironically because I got into the SENTRI lane by mistake and couldn't get out. There they had a proper rest room.

[rossman]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Thanks for the heads up. I would not call 50-75 trips "rarely".

I don't recall seeing anything except trailer use issue.

For me going to secondary is not a problem. I hope they have bathroom, or it is peeing in the jar.

Waiting in long line is the issue, but once I get to the booth, I have all day if they want to search my SUV.

I think the officer had a bad day, and maybe felt empowered to be harsh toward the OP. Lot of that is going on these days.

By the way I think the OP was saying he used the sentri 75 times and rarely was he not loaded with camping gear.

[Mahigeer]

I am currently waiting to hear from CBP regarding acceptance of my revised application due to the new car information.

To save time, I submitted the license plate that I will have on the SUV. However, I first have to receive the plates that DMV will be sending me and then exchange it.

I am hoping against hope that they do not check the vin against the eventual plates. Since it would be different.

However, when it is said and done and when I cross the border, the information on the application will be correct.

It may take up to (90) days to receive the new plates and since I ordered new replacement plates for the existing ones that may even take longer. The application process is a long time ordeal too. I just hope by the end of the year I have it all settled!