General Reports

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2706745]My car got too many dings due to HK's valet parking in Pepe. They park cars too tight, always get new dings every time. Finally I side swiped a car and got a big gouge on my quarter panel. It looked ugly, had to fix it.

Found Kali Kustom at the North end of Ave Revo. Alejandro Deras and his wife operate a body shop and car detailing. He said rather than trying to match the original paint, better to repaint the whole car, takes 2 days. Agreed on a good price, made an appointment and drove the car down in the morning. He had 2 other cars being repaired but started on mine immediately, carefully marked down the gouge and all dings, washed it down, knocked out the gouge, patched up all blemishes, sanded them down. I went to dinner with a girl that night, rode back past his shop in an uber at 10 PM that night, he was still working on the car, his wife and workers eating dinner with food spread out on the floor.

Came back the next morning, the car was all taped up ready for paint. He said he had to work all night with no sleep to finish it on time for me, poor guy, LOL. He sprayed the car multiple passes with a better sprayer than the rip shops on Calle 3. The paint and clear coat looked like original factory metallic paint, smooth and shiny even before polishing very little orange peel problem. This guy is really skilled in his craft. After finish, he carefully removed all little paint smears, also detailed the car, cleaning glasses inside and out, The car looked very good, pretty much like a new car with original factory paint. He said wait 3 weeks for clear coat to harden then bring it back for free polishing. Mexico allows solvent-based paints which are harder, more durable, adhere stronger than US' water-based paints. He also has a guy who can repair leather seats with good prices.

This guy Alejandro and his wife are good, honest, hard working people. He's a perfectionist. His quality and workmanship are far better than any body shop I have used in US and Mexico. Gave him a good propina for good work. Avoid the rip shops around Calle 3. They employ low-skill workers with cheap equipment, do bad jobs and their prices are even high, sometimes higher than shops in US.

Tell him you are a friend of Capitan Solo. He will give you good deals. Contact me for details.[/QUOTE]Know of any good place to do alignment? Got to get my tires straighten out again.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2707922]Don Carlos,

How did you become illegal resident in Tijuana?

I would rather combine travel, food, party, culture, sight seeing and girls to places in Europe, Asia, South America, rather than just sex with ugly girls alone, to make travel worth it.[/QUOTE]Colombia / SA has me spoiled but 117 F is also not so much fun here in Nevada. I will give you a heads up and hope we can meet soon.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2707922]Don Carlos,

How did you become illegal resident in Tijuana?

You were lucky. If you were arrested they would hold you in jail and impound your car until you pay the ticket. Your GF would get all pissed off to have to drive down from LA to bail you out hehe.

In the early 2000's, Chicago had the hottest girls. I used to stay past midnight to meet them. On the way back I got ambushed by policia a couple times, accused of drunk driving but refused to give them any money. They had to let me go. Policia are again waiting in their patrol cars on dark street North of Chicago.

About every other Friday night, policia usually have their alcohol check point on Benito Juarez when lots of guys drive back to the border. I drove past a couple times, just got waved through. The old policia would ask questions and looked into your eyes, looking for evidence of alcohol or drugs influences. One time they made me go to the breath test truck with a couple nurses sitting in it. I had 4 or 5 beers in 4 hours and passed their breath test. A couple Mexican guys got arrested, cars impounded, wives and kids waiting on sidewalk.

We cannot stay over night and have been taking turn driving 1. 5 hours back late at night, sometimes 3 or 4 in the morning when the body normally shutdown. Right after crossing the border I would fall asleep, telling the guys to wake me up to drive if they feel sleepy and not risk accidents. One time a very nice bro felt sleepy but did not want to wake us up. He fell asleep but woke up in time. At 70 MPH there is little chance to survive an accident, or you would at least get really mangled up.

I was in a couple bars in La Zona last weekend, did not find any girls worth spending time with. Girls in Chicago were huge, flabby, ugly. I was drinking a beer, waiting for wingman to go home. He was always sitting with big, fat, ugly girls despite not speaking any Spanish. Meseros were pushing her big friends on me. I kept turning them down politely, finally blew up. Considering the long driving, the fun and sex I can get out of these girls and the risks of accidents, arrests in Tijuana, I am tempting fate too much. I am bored with Tijuana and the same old girls. Will limit Tijuana trips to only special occasions in the future.

I would rather combine travel, food, party, culture, sight seeing and girls to places in Europe, Asia, South America, rather than just sex with ugly girls alone, to make travel worth it.[/QUOTE]Hong Kong still has plenty of hot girls more than the other clubs IMHO.

Jackie.

Best place is Firestone with its $200 lifetime alignment, pays for itself after the first use.

They try to bring you in to sell various tires, brakes and various services. You don't have to buy them. They sell Firestone and Bridgestone tires, not my favorites.

If they say you suspension is way out cannot be realigned without a set of $100 shims, they just bullshit you. Tell them to align your car to the lifetime contract or you will sue Firestone and the branch manager. Tip the technician $5-10 and he will do good work for you.

Just a heads up as I had my Global entry pulled coming back from Tijuana and wanted to share some info with others. Border guards could only say I didn't qualify anymore but could not give me details on why and what happens is they upload a report online on your account and it just says I don't qualify anymore with a ton of various non-specific reasons anyone can loose access.

My own research only found I didn't update my last moving address with them so they had my address from two years ago. That is the only thing I could think of and a week later when I went down to Tijuana and asked the guard could it have been pulled for this she said yes, something as little as not updating an address. I have been using the Global Entry monthly for a long time down to Tijuana and the night the pulled global entry was no difference.

There are some other routes to go with appeal to what they call the "ombudsman". And other options I am still checking into that but. Update your addresses if that was the case.

I reapplied and waiting to see if it's approved and hopefully to see what the heck I did that was so wrong as I live a pretty boring life. Never in trouble with the law etc. For now I am learning how to cross during slow times like Friday night about 9 pm!! Go down and enjoy a few hours and get back to US a bit earlier.

-G.

Greggy,

Sorry it happened to you. This is serious business having your privilege canceled in light of the extreme delays in foot and car crossings at San Ysidro.

However, I am not aware of DHS' requirement for GE holders to report changes of permanent address. I lost the card twice recently, sent $25 for replacement and they just mailed new cards to me within a week. If DHS requires notification of permanent address changes I would have noticed and complied. DHS only needs your mailing address to mail the cards to you. Update of permanent address is done at the next renewal applications.

GE cards can only be pulled if the holder has been investigated and found errant by DHS or FBI. A DUI or any felony conviction will void GE / SENTRI / NEXUS cards. DHS may have made a mistake in your case, may be mixing your name with some bad characters. I have known it to happen.

You should write to the Ombudsman to find out the real causes and fix them.

Tuesday night I took an UBER ride on Via Rapida South to Hippodromo for dinner at the Churrascaria do Brasil. The Southbound traffic was moving fairly well, but Northbound traffic, heading to the border, was stuck and backed up past Zona Rio mall, probably 3 to 4 miles long, potentially 3 to 4 hours wait to cross the border. Every time I cross the border into Mexico the.

Wednesday afternoon I drove back about 3 PM on SENTRI lanes. Normally there should not be much traffic heading back to the US at that hour, but the 2 SENTRI lanes stretched all the way back past the second rotary on Padre Kino, about 2 miles long. Policia was at every intersection directing traffic. But the SENTRI lanes moved fast with 6 CBP booths open and I crossed back after 20 minutes. The pedestrian line however stretched way past the overhead foot bridge, may be 2 to 3 hours to cross. Normally the pedestrian line is very short in the afternoon on weekdays. Traffic across border at San Ysidro is unpredictable.

The bros going to Tijuana should apply for Global Entry so they can cross the border quickly and not miss their flights.

[QUOTE=Gregyyr;2708140]Just a heads up as I had my Global entry pulled coming back from Tijuana and wanted to share some info with others. Border guards could only say I didn't qualify anymore but could not give me details on why and what happens is they upload a report online on your account and it just says I don't qualify anymore with a ton of various non-specific reasons anyone can loose access.

My own research only found I didn't update my last moving address with them so they had my address from two years ago. That is the only thing I could think of and a week later when I went down to Tijuana and asked the guard could it have been pulled for this she said yes, something as little as not updating an address. I have been using the Global Entry monthly for a long time down to Tijuana and the night the pulled global entry was no difference.

There are some other routes to go with appeal to what they call the "ombudsman". And other options I am still checking into that but. Update your addresses if that was the case..[/QUOTE]Gregy, how long ago did you move? I'm wondering how long they give you after a move before you need to update your address with them.

I'm relocating now and don't want to run into this same problem.

Thanks for this info.

[QUOTE=ElGuerito;2708379]Gregy, how long ago did you move? I'm wondering how long they give you after a move before you need to update your address with them.

I'm relocating now and don't want to run into this same problem.

Thanks for this info.[/QUOTE]I've been crossing every week and sometimes twice a week by car and never been asked to verify my address. They just ask if anything to declare and where I am headed. Not sure how they would know or care to pull Greg's card over a simple address change. It would seem like a simple fix by the CBP to let you know to update for next time if it was really an issue. GE card is a life saver whether driving or flying.

[QUOTE=KBToys;2708476]I've been crossing every week and sometimes twice a week by car and never been asked to verify my address. They just ask if anything to declare and where I am headed. Not sure how they would know or care to pull Greg's card over a simple address change. It would seem like a simple fix by the CBP to let you know to update for next time if it was really an issue. GE card is a life saver whether driving or flying.[/QUOTE]Frustrating part is their web site below, says "you will be provided information in writing detailing the reason for this action", but all the notice says is that I did not qualify anymore, with no details stated.

[URL]https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/program-denials[/URL]

I also find it hard to believe it was the address. He asked me where I lived and I said San Diego, but my old address was El Cajon and not San Diego so maybe this was an issue. While I reapplied and fixed my address, without knowing if it was the issue I could take months to even be considered and then maybe it wasn't my address at all so my application doesn't respond to the actual issue. Very frustrating. What is odd is I can see in other foreign countries where rules and laws are setup that are not "fair", but the USA I think is more of a gold standard of rights for the person. Of course the program is a privilege and not a "right", but still the process is a bit messed up not telling someone what they screwed up on.

Anyway. I am just crossing at less busy times so I am still dam appreciative to be able to travel back and forth thru Mexico and many countries and there are billions from other countries that would love a US passport so I got to look at the glass half full on this issue I think.

G.

[QUOTE=KBToys;2708476]I've been crossing every week and sometimes twice a week by car and never been asked to verify my address. They just ask if anything to declare and where I am headed. Not sure how they would know or care to pull Greg's card over a simple address change. It would seem like a simple fix by the CBP to let you know to update for next time if it was really an issue. GE card is a life saver whether driving or flying.[/QUOTE]Did you have a spouse with immigration or deportation problems? Or a family member with this issue? If not its probably a name matching someone else's with common names in Latino culture, if your Latino, there's probably 50 p dudes in USA with your name and date of birth. Hopefully they fix it my global entry is more important than my car in my opinion.

A number of lawyers handle Sentri cases and appeals. If it is important to you, you might want to consult one of them and see if he can get it back for you. Google the title above for contact info for one firm. From their website:

According to the TSA, approximately 3-5% of the roughly 30,000 applicants that apply for Global Entry status every month will be denied. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") in most cases will issue a written reason for the denial, but this is not always the case. In some cases, the applicant will have to pursue various avenues in an attempt to find out the reason for the denial. The most common reasons applicants will be denied, however, will be due to past arrests or convictions for criminal offenses or for administrative customs violations. In short, even minor criminal convictions or customs violations, regardless of their age, could result in a preliminary denial of Global Entry membership.

If your Global Entry application has been rejected, you should promptly consult with an experienced Global Entry appeal lawyer. If necessary, the Global Entry appeal lawyers at National Security Law Firm will investigate why your application was rejected. We will then request paperwork relating to the underlying offense and gather personal and professional paperwork relating to your character and the reasons why you would like Global Entry membership. We will then submit an appeal on your behalf discussing the reasons for the denial, demonstrating your rehabilitation, explaining your need for Global Entry, and providing evidence demonstrating that you are not a security risk to the security of the United States. If you are interested in appealing your Global Entry denial or revocation, you should consider an experienced attorney to assist.

[QUOTE=Gregyyr;2708140]Just a heads up as I had my Global entry pulled coming back from Tijuana and wanted to share some info with others. Border guards could only say I didn't qualify anymore but could not give me details on why and what happens is they upload a report online on your account and it just says I don't qualify anymore with a ton of various non-specific reasons anyone can loose access.

My own research only found I didn't update my last moving address with them so they had my address from two years ago. That is the only thing I could think of and a week later when I went down to Tijuana and asked the guard could it have been pulled for this she said yes, something as little as not updating an address. I have been using the Global Entry monthly for a long time down to Tijuana and the night the pulled global entry was no difference..[/QUOTE]

Travv,

The attorneys will milk him for $5 K to 10 K form some stupid bullshit work, cause further delays, more complications and may make his situation worse.

I know you like to spend big money on chicas and attorneys, but these admin cases can be solved and much better solved by the affected parties themselves without the need for attorneys with their bullshit and high fees. I know a few guys who were lied to, strung along and milked big time by these attorneys who did very little work besides bullshitting their clients and lost the cases.

Go in DHS web site, read their regulations and keep writing to them asking for redress. After having all their evidences and arguments you can ask for a trial by an admin judge. In most cases DHS' attorneys would cave way before the trial. Their bosses would never let their high-priced attorneys screw around with a guy who just wants his GE card reinstated.

[QUOTE=KBToys;2708476]I've been crossing every week and sometimes twice a week by car and never been asked to verify my address. They just ask if anything to declare and where I am headed. Not sure how they would know or care to pull Greg's card over a simple address change. It would seem like a simple fix by the CBP to let you know to update for next time if it was really an issue. GE card is a life saver whether driving or flying.[/QUOTE]It was two years ago that I moved so it has been quite a while. So that's what I am thinking may have caused it?

It's one thing for the GOV to say we pulled it and we make the rules. But they state they will tell you in detail what it was pulled for on their own web site. They need to follow through with the rules that they made and advertise to over 330 million people!

G.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2708333]Greggy,

Sorry it happened to you. This is serious business having your privilege canceled in light of the extreme delays in foot and car crossings at San Ysidro.

However, I am not aware of DHS' requirement for GE holders to report changes of permanent address. I lost the card twice recently, sent $25 for replacement and they just mailed new cards to me within a week. If DHS requires notification of permanent address changes I would have noticed and complied. DHS only needs your mailing address to mail the cards to you. Update of permanent address is done at the next renewal applications.

GE cards can only be pulled if the holder has been investigated and found errant by DHS or FBI. A DUI or any felony conviction will void GE / SENTRI / NEXUS cards. DHS may have made a mistake in your case, may be mixing your name with some bad characters. I have known it to happen.

You should write to the Ombudsman to find out the real causes and fix them.[/QUOTE]Another bro mentioned the Ombudsman as well and I plan on giving that a go as it can't hurt.

Thanks,

-G.