A bit back, I went down to Tijuana for a medical procedure. That’ll be a separate post. What I found coming back, both by car and on foot, was: I really need a Global Entry Card, which would have allowed me to use the “SENTRI” lanes on the freeway or at the border. It also gives you TSA PreCheck.
Here’s a walk-through of how to get a Global Entry Card in San Diego, based on what I did.
STEP 1: FILL OUT THE ONLINE APPLICATION
On this page: https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/, click on “Apply Now” under “Global Entry”
I used my existing login.gov account to authenticate. https://secure.login.gov
It’s $120 / 5 years and includes SENTRI and TSA Pre-check. Don’t forget to register any vehicles you might drive, adding one later costs $$, but it’s included at the time of initial application.
STEP 2: SCHEDULE THE INTERVIEW
After a week or two, you’ll get an email that you are conditionally approved, hopefully. Then schedule at the San Diego Airport.
3835 North Harbor Dr, Terminal 2 West San Diego , CA 92101
STEP 3: PARK AT SPANISH LANDING PAEK EAST
The interview is at the West End of Terminal 2. I’m going to give you a walk through of how to get there, park, and get inside, without paying $2.50/15 minutes for parking. The parking I found is $1.25/half hour, plus 35¢. I paid $4.10 for an hour and a half an only needed a half hour. And, you can extend in the app, so you can just start with 30 minutes. You can park in normal Terminal 2 Parking, but I don’t think it’s any easier/faster.
So, start by parking at “Spanish Landing Park East” off Harbor Blvd. It is opposite the exit of Terminal 2 Parking. It’s on Google Maps as “Spanish Landing Beach” and is at 32.7290175,-117.2051257 .
STEP 4: PAY FOR PARKING ON THE PASSPORT PARKING APP, ZONE 98190
Download the app & follow instructions on the sign, or use the machine. If you use the app, you can start with a half hour and extend the time (not sure if that costs an extra transaction fee).
STEP 5: WALK ACROSS THE STREET, DOWN THE SIDEWALK, STAY LEFT, AND WALK UP TO THE TERMINAL
After crossing the street, walk down the left sidewalk toward the yellow bollards.
Cross the street, go through the Bollards, then keep going toward Terminal 2
At the end of the parking lot is a crosswalk , go across it and through the door.
By the way, I finally found “Zone V” after the appointment. I walked up and down the terminals for a bit before I found the office.
STEP 6: GO INSIDE & CHECK IN
Finally, go through the door and you can’t miss it. You go inside, check in, then wait on those chairs until they call you. The asked me a few questions, verified my Passport & Driver’s License (or other verification of address if you don’t have a DL), fingerprinted me, gave some info, and I was done.
I pre-paid for an hour and a half of parking, I was back with an hour to spare. My appointment was done a minute before when it was scheduled for.
STEP 7: WAIT (FOR THE CARD, THE NUMBER IS LIVE)
The card arrives in the mail in 1-4 weeks (mine arrive in 1 week on the nose). Activate it like a credit card when it arrives and put the number in your TSA Pre-Check fields for your frequent flier accounts and flights. Things for which you do not need the card (I think that’s TSA Pre-check), you’re good to go. You need the card at the border, so you have to wait for that.
I hope this walk-through (literal & figurative) helps you.
