thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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San Ysidro border crossing tip
Saturday night we headed back from a quick shopping/eating jaunt and found the line stretched back a mile or so.
My brother in law, Jose, lives in Chula Vista and he immediately said, "Stay right, stay right!"
We were in the far left lane, headed up the first incline, towing an unfamiliar trailer, just past dark, but I started easing right as instructed.
Amazing!! Joe was right on. As we crossed the lower boulevard and the river the left two lanes just sat, while the far right lane moved constantly.
When we got down to the "plaza" section it was obvious why, the right lane splits into a number of additional lanes, including car-pool (not
applicable on a Sat. nite) and it really facilitated the easy "escape."
Took about 25 minutes to clear the line, I bet the left lanes took at least an hour.
Best advice--- Stay right, Stay right!!!
Baja Arriba!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64493
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Shhhhhh! And people say that I tell secrets!
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BajaVida
Senior Nomad
Posts: 541
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Motown, Califas
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Mood: muy cool
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and after everyone reads this
it wil be easier to stay left next time
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
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Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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staying left...
staying left comes natural to Baja Vida....
He even liked Gray Davis.
(and that's the truth)
Baja Arriba!!
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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Righty - Tighty....
Lefty - Loosey.
Not only for lug nuts anymore!
When we came back across in March, the Imrigation Gal, among the standard stuff, asked us how long we had been waiting in line...about 1/2 hour on a
mid-week evening.
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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One time a guard on the far right lane grabbed my wrist, because my arm was resting out the window, and then asked if I always had high blood
pressure? He then sent us to secondary, when I replied that is was actually low, and you can't determine BP by grabbing onto someone's wrist. 
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Markitos
Nomad
Posts: 218
Registered: 1-4-2004
Location: San Diego/La Paz
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Mood: let me check
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OH Great, Now Everybody Knows !
All that wonder are not lost
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
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Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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am I missing something???
So far, two responses to my "insider tip" were not so positive.
Am I missing something??
Isn't this board to help each of us who are on the board??
Don't we pass on our good findings and our little special "finds"???
Or do you really think that the entire 29 million people per year that pass the San Ysidro point all read NOMAD??
Wow, Doug, you are famous..
Hey, if we cannot share our "good stuff" then maybe we do need to go to another site. (just kidding, I like it here)
Baja Arriba!!
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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thebajarunner
it's all good
especially for those of us who know that it'sactually quicker to stay left.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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benefits of the left
Gato, only benefit I could see on the left is that you get to spend a lot more time in Baja.
and hey, more time in Baja is good, right?
Baja Arriba!!
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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thebajarunner
Actually the goal was to try and convince everyone that the left is better so that your next trip the right is even faster!!
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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TJ crossing
Well, we passed through about 3 p.m. on a Tuesday a week ago. Drove right up to within 15 cars of our line, which was fifth from the left line. Our
waiting time to get to the officer was 5 min. 37 seconds. A record for us!!! I had been going to Tecate (north & south) for years, after getting
tired of the wait, years ago. Now I've found the right day of the week and time of the day to passing north. No blood pressure increases now!!!!
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4323
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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Yes, midweek (Tues-Thurs) 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM are good times to cross.
I have been driving across the border since the 70's and learned long ago to treat it as part of the adventure, turn up the stereo and take in the
scene. I could write a book on the psycho actions taken by those in the line. I wonder how many years of a life as a result of stress are lost to some
of the people who have to do it ALL the time.
Also it is interesting to note the difference when I am drivng my F-250 4x and the wifes Avalon.
The really good news is that we now have Sentri passes so we are spared the fun , except when we have the camper on the truck (no campers allowed in
Sentri lane) that's when we head home mid-week!
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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The border wait
Phil, figuring out the logic of 'the line' is similar to figuring the logic of your first wife.
Just about the time you know you have a handle on it, it changes.
I always murmur a prayer as I approach the line, it goes like this, "Lord, make my patience just a bit longer than the line"
It usually works.
Baja Arriba!!
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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TJ crossings
This is one of those situations where you don't change your mind, once you get onto the circle ramp, because there is no "turning back". One time
seven years ago, I drove in going south to cross, and pulling a 26' tow trailer. Couldn't get over to correct line to turn right after the customs
building, and ended up downtown!!!!!!!AND IT WAS DARK BY THAT TIME. Found a sign that read, San Diego, and I took it, and spent the night at an r.v.
park in SD. Next morning at 6 a.m. crossed with no problems, and blood pressure back to normal.
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