BajaNomad

Passport card

Oso - 8-26-2008 at 07:28 AM

Got mine in the mail yesterday, complete with foil lined sleeve to protect the RFID chip. Something slightly Orwellian about that, The photo is as flattering as the usual DL photo.

bajaguy - 8-26-2008 at 07:34 AM

how long was the turnaround time????

David K - 8-26-2008 at 07:35 AM

Oso, when applying for the card if you already have a standard, valid passport, do they take the passport or just examine it and you can keep it while waiting for the card?

Oso, what do you expect ????

beercan - 8-26-2008 at 09:25 AM

Improvement ??? Did you get a Sentri card ?? They said I can now use my Sentri card in lieu of the passport !
Quote:
by Bear
The photo is as flattering as the usual DL photo.

sancho - 8-26-2008 at 10:58 AM

Speaking of passport photos, anyone try taking
their own? A little research claims it is relatively
easy. Not trying to save the $,
although Kinkos wants $14,
just want a couple photo choices
rather than be stuck for 10 yrs. with
the typical photo. Info says
digital camera, other than that,
develop at Wal mart?
thanks for the opinion

wilderone - 8-26-2008 at 11:16 AM

CVS drug stores does passport photos for $7.50.

bajaguy - 8-26-2008 at 11:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beercan
Improvement ??? Did you get a Sentri card ?? They said I can now use my Sentri card in lieu of the passport !
Quote:
by Bear
The photo is as flattering as the usual DL photo.




I use my SENTRI card and a passport when I cross, no problems.........

Oso - 8-26-2008 at 04:36 PM

Started the process around first of July after sweating a re-entry having forgotten to bring either passport or "birf surfaticket" (R. Marley), was among first in line but actual card production didn't start until 7/14. Filled out DS-82 online, printed it, sent it, passport, two pics ($8 Walgreen's) and check for $34.85 ($20 card, $14.85 "overnight return"). Got passport back reasonably soon, about a week. Card here yesterday. Now in my wallet all the time so I don't have to worry about forgetting passport again.

I have no use for a Sentri card here until there are Sentri lanes at San Luis and/or Algodones. But the RFID technology is similar and means if I pull card out of sleeve while in line, they will already have all my stuff onscreen by the time I reach the booth.

Big Brother is watching you...
:o

can you get a Mexican tourist card with it?

BajaVida - 8-27-2008 at 09:18 PM

or does the Mexican migra need the passport?

de Judge

Baja Bernie - 8-27-2008 at 09:40 PM

Sentri has nothing to do with your passport........If you show your sentri card at normal, snail lanes, they reject it because you said you would not use it for anything excetp Sentri lanes..................confusing...........absolutely.....but then the border guys have been dealing with the Mexican guys for so long that they think just like you and I............crazy is it not??????

bajaguy - 8-28-2008 at 06:13 AM

Bernie......when I fly to San Diego and use a rental car to visit Ensenada, I always use my SENTRI card as a second form of identification with my passport when crossing back in the regular lanes at Otay. The only comment has been "why don't you use the SENTRI lane????" After I explain it's a rental car, they shrug their shoulders and wave me through.....no problems. ;)

[Edited on 8-28-2008 by bajaguy]

k-rico - 8-28-2008 at 06:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Sentri has nothing to do with your passport........If you show your sentri card at normal, snail lanes, they reject it because you said you would not use it for anything excetp Sentri lanes..................confusing...........absolutely.....but then the border guys have been dealing with the Mexican guys for so long that they think just like you and I............crazy is it not??????


Same thing happened to me at San Ysidro. Could be because the regular lanes don't have the equipment to electronically read the card? I don't know. I was surprised that it wasn't accepted as ID. They were happy with my driver's license, but that was a couple years ago.

woody with a view - 8-29-2008 at 09:12 AM

received ours this week. the mail carriers must be overburdened with all of these new cards going out at one time.