What clients say about Hanscom AFB Visitor Control Center in Hanscom AFB (MA)
I moved onto base this past weekend and it took almost 2 hours to sign on my moving crew of 2 people who had valid passports and green cards. That's $400 that I had to pay just to wait to get onto base. When I asked the guards why it was taking so long they said that they were on the line with customer service. What do you mean? Do you not know how to sign people on? Isn't that your job? What a mess.
Absolutely Terrible. Went there Today for a scheduled visit, I was not aware of the policy change regarding the visitor pass. The shorter Female officer working Today with the Large Glasses and blonde Hair was not helpful at all. All she had to say was “ The Procedure has changed for Visitors…..” didn't even get that. Maybe don't allow the person who doesn't want to work, work in the Visitor Center.
Through misinformation, trial and error, I have learned that maximum you can get is a 30-day visitor pass during business hours, and possibly only a 3-day pass if you come in on an evening or weekend - depending upon what guards are working. This is extremely unpredictable and inconvenient for military families with other family members nearby. Loading up babies and toddlers in the car, then unloading them at the tiny visitor center, then back again every time a family member wants to visit is extremely tedious and annoying. We sought this assignment because it’s near family, but if we knew this base policy was so absurd and unpredictable we would’ve chosen to live off base. On other installations you can consistently get the visitor passes for 3 months - and at any time of day or night, which is a much better policy for families…
Further confusing this is the NCO at the Visitor Center - he told me you could get the 30-day pass during the weekends and from either gate. However, on some attempts that was true, but on most attempts we could only get a 3-day pass and it was only at the main gate. My sisters’ kids were baking and screaming in the hot car for 1/2 hour as the Security Forces took their sweet time clearing us. I asked for the contact info for the unit commander but they refused to give it to me. Our military families deserve much better than this.
Called 2 days prior asking if my VA ID would be accepted for an on base appointment at ID office. Arrived at visitor center with VA ID and was told they do not accept the choose VA ID styles. They should know to ask which type of ID a person has. Waste of a 45 min drive.
I’ve had MIXED EXPIERENCES in this place mostly everybody that works in here very professional very nice but I have had an issue with one female who purposely did not tell every guest coming to see me to get a pass and did not explain the guidelines was very Short with answers and then once my family tried to follow me onto base she walked out the back door of the visitor center watched as we got stopped and laughed and then I asked the guy can my aunt just jump into my car with me and I can get her on so we do not have to go inside and he said yes good idea that will work! And the female began to run to the gate and say no and make a scene ,however it was allowed! It’s crazy I don’t understand some motives or unprofessional actions! Other then her I have had multiple great expierences and questions answered from mostly everybody else that worked there! bring everybody inside with you who’s visiting if there’s kids you can wait with them in the car and send in your guests and they will work with you! And your guest can wait with the kids and switch you can go in! Make sure you have insurance for car and registration! They DO BACKGROUND checks on all guests do not bring anything Not allowed and you will have good expierences I hope!
Truck gate has excessive wait times with no restroom facilities for drivers who have to wait these extraordinary hours. Guards were rude and threatening when asked to use the restrooms. As a veteran myself I consider this deplorable.
Update:
Had to wait 2 hours to get to the entrance. It is 92 degrees for the heat index over 100 and was put into a little trailer to set while they inspect the truck no AC no water. You can't even do this to a prisoner.
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