OK, I figured out a way to do it that requires a limited knowledge of After Effects, and also it ONLY WORKS ON WINDOWS machines, but it definitely works!
OPEN After Effects. Make sure you have your EDIT>PREFERENCES set to interpret footage at the frame rate you will want for the sequences.
OPEN premiere and open the project you want to work on.
-Using File Explorer browse to the folder with the sequences you want to import. DRAG those files from the Window to the Project media in AFTER EFFECTS. (depending on file size this may take some time)
–Click off of the sequences, then RE-SELECT all of them. Use CTRL+C to copy the files. This may take a while as well.
-Open PREMIERE and using CTRL+V paste the items into the project.
VIOLA – 400+ TIF Sequences opened in AE at the right frame rate
ONLY works with Windows.
Chapman