BajaNomad - Border traffic--why???

Border traffic--why???

BornFisher - 6-17-2011 at 08:41 PM

The border just keeps getting worse. Is it just the TJ population increase? Is it going to US schools and jobs? Is it shopping in the US?? Visiting relatives? I really don`t see the typical wait per car increasing, just more cars. Just curious here, and wondering!

BajaGringo - 6-17-2011 at 08:44 PM

They are asking more questions...

DENNIS - 6-17-2011 at 08:50 PM

Yep....what Ron says. Increased vigiliance. That's my take on the situation.

zoesterone - 6-18-2011 at 05:23 AM

We are thinking that when we move to Baja and we have to go NOB, without a time agenda, we will just go through Tecate and up. It's interesting and seems pretty. I would assume that the extra miles more than make up for not having a one or two hour wait at TJ. Is this a viable conclusion?

bajaguy - 6-18-2011 at 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoesterone
We are thinking that when we move to Baja and we have to go NOB, without a time agenda, we will just go through Tecate and up. It's interesting and seems pretty. I would assume that the extra miles more than make up for not having a one or two hour wait at TJ. Is this a viable conclusion?

You will find that even as an occasional border crosser an investment in a SENTRI card for you (If you qualify) and a SENTRI pass for your vehicle will be money well spent. My cross times at Otay NB have never been more that 15 minutes.

mcfez - 6-18-2011 at 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

This is true....however....your company in the car cannot go thru the lane :-(

bajaguy - 6-18-2011 at 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

This is true....however....your company in the car cannot go thru the lane :-(

Ah, Fezzie..........I always let my Non-SENTRI passengers out before the inspection lane, and they walk across without any problems.......Pick them up on the "other side", then head to Eric's Deli for a cold one and a sanguich!!!

Marc - 6-18-2011 at 06:54 AM

I just figure it's part of the experience. Just chill.

krafty - 6-18-2011 at 09:09 AM

SENTRI is definitely the way to go if you are going to live down here. Why just Chill if you don't have to?

Woooosh - 6-18-2011 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
I just figure it's part of the experience. Just chill.

I agree... why miss the drive-thru food court?

DENNIS - 6-18-2011 at 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I agree... why miss the drive-thru food court?

Maybe because if you drink a cup of Champurrado at Tweety Bird, El Piolín, you may need a bathroom before you get to the gate.
On the other hand, if you have contraband, drink two or three. They'll never send you to secondary after what you did to yourself. :lol:

woody with a view - 6-18-2011 at 10:50 AM

i heard you can use the passport card (w/ rfid chip) in the otay sentri lane.

anyone? Buehler, Buehler!

DENNIS - 6-18-2011 at 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
Buehler, Buehler!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP0mQeLWCCo&NR=1

HEY...MARCEL...YOU LISTENIN' TO ME???

elgatoloco - 6-18-2011 at 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
i heard you can use the passport card (w/ rfid chip) in the otay sentri lane.

anyone? Buehler, Buehler!

Might be worth a ride to Otay SENTRI office to inquire/confirm? You could check out the new 905 Freeway extension, such as it is.

Bajahowodd - 6-18-2011 at 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

This is true....however....your company in the car cannot go thru the lane :-(

Been involved in, and have witnessed excrutiating lines walking across.

Just have to wonder what it is they are looking for. Or maybe they think it's their job to make life miserable for so many.

Given the lousy US economy, there is little incentive for the folks SOB to head North for non-existent jobs. That is reflected in the major decrease in apprehensions along the border in the past couple of years.

So, if there are major reductions in the number trying to cross seeking work, what then?

Bin Laden won't be getting smuggled in in someones trunk.

Seems we create something out of a good idea and then screw it up. I personally see no good reason for the over-diligence shown by the folks at the border.

bajaguy - 6-18-2011 at 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
i heard you can use the passport card (w/ rfid chip) in the otay sentri lane.

anyone? Buehler, Buehler!

Might be worth a ride to Otay SENTRI office to inquire/confirm? You could check out the new 905 Freeway extension, such as it is.

Those cards can be used in the FAR left lane at Otay.....

Marc - 6-18-2011 at 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
I just figure it's part of the experience. Just chill.

I agree... why miss the drive-thru food court?

And all the neat stuff you can buy!

mcfez - 6-18-2011 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

This is true....however....your company in the car cannot go thru the lane :-(

Just my understanding that one cannot dump friends off while going thru the Sentri.......you all know that I never break the laws :-)

What sort of sandwich is good there BTW?

bajaguy - 6-18-2011 at 05:52 PM

I drop 'em off right before the pedestrian walkway.....out of sight of the gate..........

Most everything is good at Eric's.....breakfast sandwiches are tops......explore the menu. Also very clean restrooms!!!!

Woooosh - 6-18-2011 at 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
I just figure it's part of the experience. Just chill.

I agree... why miss the drive-thru food court?

And all the neat stuff you can buy!

Someone should open a drive-thru table dance option. huh? Make one of those stalls a "mini show club" for private dances and send out bikini-clad girls to drive your car ahead in the line for thirty minutes. LOL If only I were younger... Can you imagine the walk of shame/fame back to your car? :lol:

Pssst

Dave - 6-18-2011 at 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
I drop 'em off right before the pedestrian walkway.....out of sight of the gate..........

Next time look up. See the wall of windows that crosses all the lanes above the gates?

Trust me...They're watching.

bajaguy - 6-18-2011 at 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
I drop 'em off right before the pedestrian walkway.....out of sight of the gate..........

Next time look up. See the wall of windows that crosses all the lanes above the gates?

Trust me...They're watching.

No windows above the gates at Otay

zoesterone - 6-19-2011 at 06:16 AM

I still didn't get an answer on the idea of taking the long way around rather than sit in line for 1-2 hours. Sentri card is a great idea and I could get one no problem, but a little pot conviction of my husband's a gazillion years ago would likely put the kibosh on that for him, even though he has a DPS clearance card. Another bunch of silliness. So, is it a feasible idea to go through Tecate if you have no time constraints?

woody with a view - 6-19-2011 at 06:21 AM

yes.

RnR - 6-19-2011 at 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoesterone
I still didn't get an answer on the idea of taking the long way around rather than sit in line for 1-2 hours. .... So, is it a feasible idea to go through Tecate if you have no time constraints?

Extra driving time via Tecate is 1 to 1 1/2 hours. It's been our experience that the OVERALL time from leaving Mex 1 at Ensenada to arriving at I-5/805 is just about the same whether you use Tecate or TJ/Otay. So, your choice, would you rather spend the time driving or sitting?

[Edited on 6-19-2011 by RnR]

DENNIS - 6-19-2011 at 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
Next time look up. See the wall of windows that crosses all the lanes above the gates?

Trust me...They're watching.

Years back, they would sit up / in there with spotting scopes watching cars in the line. You could see them......maybe still can if you look hard enough.

wessongroup - 6-19-2011 at 08:38 AM

And listening.. too... one should watch they are talking about also... inside your vehicle...

And I thought we missed the Orwellian future... :lol:

Has anyone seen how well England can do with their "cameras" all over town... they might not stop the "criminal activity" but,they sure and hell can follow the perp right back to his or her home... via going backward from the "site"

Impressive... but, a bit scary at the same time...

[Edited on 6-19-2011 by wessongroup]

DENNIS - 6-19-2011 at 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
And listening.. too...

Maybe so, Wiley. Border Scuttlebutt used to say the posts that seperate the lanes up close to the gate had microphones imbedded in them.
I always had trouble buying into that one. :?:

bajamigo - 6-19-2011 at 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
I drop 'em off right before the pedestrian walkway.....out of sight of the gate..........

Most everything is good at Eric's.....breakfast sandwiches are tops......explore the menu. Also very clean restrooms!!!!

The Greek quesadilla is a tasty snack; try the Philly cheese steak if you're hungry. The fries are the best in SoCal.

DENNIS - 6-19-2011 at 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
The fries are the best in SoCal.

That's probably because you've been eating these oil dip-sticks down here too long. Doncha love it when the fries taste like fish? :barf:

.

[Edited on 6-19-2011 by DENNIS]

BajaGringo - 6-19-2011 at 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
And listening.. too...

Maybe so, Wiley. Border Scuttlebutt used to say the posts that seperate the lanes up close to the gate had microphones imbedded in them.
I always had trouble buying into that one. :?:

I think the little kids who stand on them with their juggling act squished all the microphones...

DENNIS - 6-19-2011 at 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
I think the little kids who stand on them with their juggling act squished all the microphones...

I try to avoid that crossing, but miss seeing the kids that blow flaming lighter fluid twenty feet into the air. Gawd....what a hoot. :fire:

mcfez - 6-19-2011 at 11:47 AM

Any use of the backscatter scanners during our exit of Baja....?

bajasammy - 6-20-2011 at 10:37 AM

We had a nice trip to Estero this weekend, but the drive-back from hell last night. San Ysidro Sentri was as far back as I've ever seen it (75 min +), and then a bit of road-work on the 5 brought things to a crunching halt for a bit. Time to give Otay another try...

Bajahowodd - 6-20-2011 at 04:37 PM

Just so we can sllep safely in our beds tonight???

World gone mad!

[Edited on 6-20-2011 by Bajahowodd]

wessongroup - 6-20-2011 at 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
The fries are the best in SoCal.

That's probably because you've been eating these oil dip-sticks down here too long. Doncha love it when the fries taste like fish? :barf:

.

[Edited on 6-19-2011 by DENNIS]