BajaNomad

Pedestrian Crossing Question

jeans - 6-6-2008 at 11:12 PM

From the SY Sentri line on Sunday evenings I see the line for the pedestrians crossing into the US and it is a long, long, LONG line. This has discouraged me from taking friends with me and dropping them off to cross on foot.

I know from my international travels that there are separate lines for foreigners and citizens. I'm hoping that the long line I'm seeing are the greencarders and that there are fewer citizens crossing and a shorter line somewhere up front....what's the scoop?

(for inquiring minds, average wait on a late Sunday afternoon is 10-15 minutes)

Bajaboy - 6-7-2008 at 05:56 AM

We walked across a few years back to pick up our FMTs and waited a long time in line. The long wait in line turned us off from getting our FMT in advance.

But a few weeks ago, we did the walking tour with FDT. We decided to pay the five bucks and take the bus back and this turned out to worth every penny. The bus took us to the border crossing, we unloaded and went to a special line taking approximately 4-5 minutes, re-boarded the bus and we dropped off at our car. Much easier and much quicker.

Zac

fdt - 6-7-2008 at 06:59 AM

The long, long line you see is the one and only line. Us citizens and non citizens wait the same ammount of time. There are only 3 other ways to not be waiting on that line;
1.-Take the bus as bajaboy did.
2.-Pedestrian SENTRI and
3.-Elderly people or handycap people are allowed to just go to the front of the line (this is an unwriten rule).

Oso - 6-7-2008 at 07:14 AM

10-15 minutes? BFD! When the snowbirds are in town here, the Algodones pedestrian line can take 1 to 2 hours. No breaks for elderly or handicapped, that's 90% of the line. The vehicle line isn't much better but at least you're sitting down. Best way- ride a motorcycle. You get to cut to the head of the vehicle line. The ped line at San Luis is usually much faster than the vehicle line but can be very long around 4 - 5 am in winter when all the lechugueros are crossing.

Pescador - 6-7-2008 at 09:23 AM

Oso, I am so glad we came in June. We went across, went to the dentist, loaded up on drugs and rum and came across in 2 minutes. Definite lack of Q-tips. Then we got to Yuma and the pressure sensor had gone out on the Dodge truck so we pulled up to the dealership at 7:00 in the morning and they were only too happy to get us on our way in less than an hour. I kinda think we were the first customer of the day. And the weather was unbelievable for that time of the year, almost needed a jacket.

rob - 6-7-2008 at 09:32 AM

Bajaboy - could you tell me where to catch that bus? I have been flying to TJ and walking across the border - but it's not a fun experience to shuffle along for two hours.

This sounds like a great idea!

toneart - 6-7-2008 at 09:37 AM

Where do you catch the $5.00 bus? Was it arranged by FDT or is it a scheduled municipal bus? If so, what is the schedule frequency?

Bajaboy - 6-7-2008 at 10:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rob
Bajaboy - could you tell me where to catch that bus? I have been flying to TJ and walking across the border - but it's not a fun experience to shuffle along for two hours.

This sounds like a great idea!


I took the Mexicoach bus. The terminal is located on Revolucion near 7th Ave, I believe. Here is a link to the website. http://www.mexicoach.com/index.php?option=com_content&ta...
The parking lot in the US is just off the last exit on the north west corner.

Zac

rob - 6-7-2008 at 03:17 PM

Appreciate that Bajaboy!

woody with a view - 6-7-2008 at 05:53 PM

$5 for a five minute wait?????? worth ever penny!

OK...Thanks, guys....

jeans - 6-7-2008 at 10:19 PM

I was hoping for a different answer...but I'm glad to know about the bus.

Oso...for clarity, the 10-15 minutes I was referring to is the wait in the Sentri auto line...and I'm thrilled it's only 10-15 minutes! The longest I have ever had to wait is 30 minutes.