BajaNomad

Passport

nbacc - 8-31-2011 at 02:50 PM

nbacc - 8-31-2011 at 02:55 PM

sorry about the above.......I messed up! My question: Is the Passport
card worth getting? How is the line for what they call "ready pass" or something like that at the border? I would love to know if it gets you through the border wait any faster. I guess you just hold it up to the window. Anyone use one or know anyone who does? Thanks ahead of time. Nancy

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2011 at 03:29 PM

the card is for people that cross all the time
you put it in your wallet

the book for the rest of us

remember the card is extra money
and something else to loose when the wallet goes

MMc - 8-31-2011 at 03:35 PM

I have both Sentri and Passport cards. Never used it to cross but quite a bit has been posted using it.
It has a RFID in it. When you pull up to the stuff before you cross, you hold it up and they match your image to the photo on hand. At the same time the agent was all your info. (address and all) no need to scan a passport and check your photo.
I carry mine all the time use it as ID and a back up when I cross the boarder. It's cheap when you get your passport.
MMc

Oso - 8-31-2011 at 03:47 PM

I have one and find it convenient because it's always in my wallet so I never forget to bring it. The book is easier to leave on the dresser or lose. I got it soon after forgetting to bring the book about a month or so after the new rules. Thankfully I got an understanding agent who asked me where I was born. That didn't seem quite right so he asked me where I was raised, The answer to that satisfied him and he let me in. Obviously he was trained in recognizing accents. That was a relief but I don't want to repeat the experience so I decided to always have the card with me. It has a RFID chip so I guess some places you can just scan it but here in San Luis they take it and check it out on the computer.

nbacc - 8-31-2011 at 03:55 PM

Is it faster when crossing the border than regular lanes.......i have to think it would be. I cross in Mexicali.

Ready Lane

bajaguy - 8-31-2011 at 07:22 PM

Here is what I posted regarding the Ready Lane at Otay Mesa

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=54452

If you value your time and do not like to sit and wait, you have two options.....SENTRI and/or the Passport Card. The Ready Lane is the least expensive at $30 for a Passport Card if you currently hold a US Passport.

Wait times at Otay for us using the Ready Lane never exceeded 18 minutes.

There are now 5 Ready Lane inspection booths, and the TJ police have been checking the line to ensure that the proper documentation is in hand as you enter the lane.


[Edited on 9-1-2011 by bajaguy]

nbacc - 8-31-2011 at 09:43 PM

anyone crossing regularly with one in Mexicali? How many Ready Lanes in Mexicali ? Just wondering. Nancy

bajaguy - 9-1-2011 at 02:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by nbacc
anyone crossing regularly with one in Mexicali? How many Ready Lanes in Mexicali ? Just wondering. Nancy





Only one lane, unknown how many inspection booths. It is located next to the SENTRI lane, Calexico East crossing.

Bajafun777 - 9-1-2011 at 06:51 AM

I have some friends that do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts from their earlier years of not thinking properly,LOL. Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?
Since Sentri tolerates no type of arrests for whatever reason it is definately a deal breaker for a number of people that really have no issues of serious nature. This is a good thing in that Sentri should be quicker and reason seems to focus on people that break or challenge the law have tendency to test the waters again. Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

mcfez - 9-1-2011 at 06:56 AM

"do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts"

That's incredible! I am a bonded person, ABC Licenses, Contractor's License....and two misdemeanor acts :-)

Passport Card

bajaguy - 9-1-2011 at 07:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
I have some friends that do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts from their earlier years of not thinking properly,LOL. Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?





If you currently hold a US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $30. If do not have a current US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $55.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

Bajafun777 - 9-1-2011 at 07:08 AM

I don't know then mcfez, as two people I know did not get Sentri due to one having DWI or so he was lead to believe since they did not tell him for sure why but it was the only thing he had on his record. The other one had a misdemeanor marijuana thing so he felt for sure that was why he did not get his also. So, if you got yours that is great, as they did not get theirs. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Bajafun777 - 9-1-2011 at 07:10 AM

Thanks for the information bajaguy and I will pass it on when asked in the future about passport card for Ready Lanes. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

mcfez - 9-1-2011 at 07:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
I don't know then mcfez, as two people I know did not get Sentri due to one having DWI or so he was lead to believe since they did not tell him for sure why but it was the only thing he had on his record. The other one had a misdemeanor marijuana thing so he felt for sure that was why he did not get his also. So, if you got yours that is great, as they did not get theirs. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777


I wasn't doubting you statement...just adding my surprised reaction. :-)

[Edited on 9-1-2011 by mcfez]

RnR - 9-1-2011 at 08:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?

Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777


I don't think that this is correct. You can get the card directly without having the passport book first.

I just renewed my passport and the options are, Book, Card, Both. The card with your passport book is $30 more.

I got both for convenience sake. Seeing as you are supposed to carry your passport and your Mex Immigration documents with you at all times while in Mexico, (Mexican Immigration Law), the passport book gets pretty beat up after ten years in your back pants pocket. The card goes in my wallet along with my FM2 card and is much easier to keep with you. My wife carries her passport in her purse. After ten years, it still looks brand new, so no card.

There is one caveat with the card. It is only good for land or sea entry to the US. If you ever fly, you have to have the book! And we fly, too. :?:

(Don't bother with the, What if gets stolen ..., Lose the purse or wallet ...., Carry a copy never the original ...., etc ...... We Know! And choose to abide by the Mexican laws. Besides, if the card ever does get lost or stolen, you still have an original Passport Book. Just consider it a $30 copy!)

bajaguy - 9-1-2011 at 09:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
If you currently hold a US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $30. If do not have a current US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $55.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html





See my post above. Link goes directly to the US State Department Passport car4d information page.

sancho - 9-1-2011 at 11:48 AM

I understand if denied a Sentri for reasons mentioned,
you can POSSIBLY clean it up, and then be
considered a reputable Sentri Candidate

nbacc - 9-1-2011 at 01:06 PM

but what I really want to know is when using the Mexicali crossing is it faster to use the ready Lane? Is there anyone out there in Nomadland twho has used it at the East crossing? Does it help you to avoid the long wait that is sometimes there? Nancy

Roberto - 9-1-2011 at 01:39 PM

They are really picky. I have friend who lost his passport about 30 years ago in a foreign country where US passports are in big demand on the black market.

He was black listed until recently. To the point that every time he renewed his passport they put him through the third degree. SENTRI was out of the question.

On the other hand, maybe it's not that bad - after all, I got one! :lol::lol::lol::lol:


[Edited on 9-1-2011 by Roberto]

akinbaja - 9-1-2011 at 02:02 PM

Ready lane at East crossing, average wait time 5 minutes according to USBP. Just opened this past Tuesday.

nbacc - 9-1-2011 at 02:46 PM

'thankyou!

passport book costs more and does less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mtgoat666 - 9-1-2011 at 09:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by nbacc
sorry about the above.......I messed up! My question: Is the Passport
card worth getting? How is the line for what they call "ready pass" or something like that at the border? I would love to know if it gets you through the border wait any faster. I guess you just hold it up to the window. Anyone use one or know anyone who does? Thanks ahead of time. Nancy


what marooon in the last bush debacle decided that rfid passports were not adequate for "ready" lanes.
wtf?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
passport book costs more and does less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--------------------------------------------
CBP to Open 'Ready Lane' at Otay Mesa Border Crossing
RFID Travel Documents Allow Users Access to Dedicated Lane

(Monday, April 25, 2011)
contacts for this news release

Otay Mesa, Calif. — Beginning Monday, May 2, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will open a new Ready Lane at the Otay Mesa port of entry for travelers who have a travel document enabled with Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, technology.

The Ready Lane is a lane for vehicle traffic that only accepts RFID-enabled cards. The new Ready Lane at the Otay Mesa border crossing will be open Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In order to use this dedicated lane, all adult passengers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must present an approved travel card. The U.S. Passport Card, SENTRI card, the new Legal Permanent Resident “green card” and the new Border Crossing Card are all RFID-enabled documents.

For example, the Ready Lane can be used by a group of travelers in one vehicle who may have different kinds of RFID-enabled travel documents, such as if the driver is a member of the SENTRI trusted traveler program, and the passengers all have other kinds of RFID-enabled documents, such as a U.S. Passport Card or a new Border Crossing Card. While only vehicles with all SENTRI members can use the dedicated SENTRI lane, a group with any mixture of RFID-enabled travel cards can use the Ready Lane.

“RFID-enabled cards allow our officers to screen travelers faster,” said Chris Maston, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “By having a lane designated just for travelers with these cards, we can reduce the time everyone spends waiting to enter the country, and encourages legitimate business and tourism for our communities on both sides of the border.”

Preparations for the lane opening will be completed this week, prior to the lane opening on May 2, in the afternoon. CBP has coordinated extensively with officials in Mexico to ensure that the approaches to the lane on the south side of the border will be clearly marked and easy to understand for travelers crossing between the two countries. The approach to the Ready Lane will be in Mexico, to the far west side of the lanes of traffic, about one-third of a mile before the border crossing.

Since the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States by land or sea from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean, are required to present a valid, WHTI-compliant document. Using a WHTI-compliant document that is an RFID-enabled travel card allows for more efficient processing of travelers at the border, since RFID technology allows CBP officers to receive information about travelers faster.

CBP recently opened Ready Lanes in Blaine, Wash., Nogales, Ariz. and Progreso, Texas and has plans to implement additional Ready Lanes at the Lukeville, Douglas, and San Luis ports of entry over the next few months.

Travelers using the Ready Lane should follow these three simple steps as they approach a U.S. land port of entry with their RFID-enabled travel card:

Stop at the beginning of the lane and make sure each passenger has their card out.
When it is your turn, drive slowly through the lane and hold all cards up on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Stop at the officer’s booth.
CBP continues to strongly encourage travelers to obtain RFID-enabled card to expedite their entry and to help make crossing the border more efficient. On the morning of May 2, U.S. State Department officials from the San Diego Passport Agency will be at the Otay Mesa port of entry to provide information to cross-border travelers about obtaining the U.S. Passport Card, an RFID-enabled travel documents.

WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

For more information, please visit the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). ( Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) )