BajaNomad

RFID LINE SUCKS!

Udo - 12-11-2011 at 06:02 PM

I tried it for the first time this morning. Just got the cards last week.
Arrived at the end of the line at 9:00 a.m. Did not get to the customs gate until 10 minutes after 1 p.m.!

Won't make that mistake again.

bajamigo - 12-11-2011 at 06:11 PM

Does the word "SENTRI" spring to mind?

Udo - 12-11-2011 at 06:12 PM

Most definitely, Vince...that's my next step!

woody with a view - 12-11-2011 at 06:13 PM

who crosses ANY border on a Sunday besides half of Mexico?

bajadock - 12-11-2011 at 06:15 PM

Udo, that is painful. But, I am proud of your bronto bladder. OUCH

I tell my visitors that I will gladly limo them to/fro San Diego as long as they avoid Ensenada to San Diego Saturday and Sunday.

Hope you are relaxing and enjoying a beverage by now.

mtgoat666 - 12-11-2011 at 06:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I tried it for the first time this morning. Just got the cards last week.
Arrived at the end of the line at 9:00 a.m. Did not get to the customs gate until 10 minutes after 1 p.m.!

Won't make that mistake again.


the homeland security guys have had 10 years to staff up for the border problem of too many people for too few inspectors.

it is obvious that 10 years of continuing problem the homeland security is happy with status quo and has no intention of decreasing crossing wait times.

Udo - 12-11-2011 at 06:53 PM

You are right...our first stop was at the McDonalds just north of the border
Quote:
Originally posted by bajadock
Udo, that is painful. But, I am proud of your bronto bladder. OUCH


Yes, buddy, I am enjoying a tequila and lime at this moment!
Quote:
[Hope you are relaxing and enjoying a beverage by now.]



BTW...at least at Tecate crossing they offer portapotties.

Mengano - 12-11-2011 at 07:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
the homeland security guys have had 10 years to staff up for the border problem of too many people for too few inspectors.


Staff is not the problem, professor. It is too many people for too few lanes. That requires more lanes and more real estate, design and approval of both countries, and funding from Congress.

Of course, if every Mexican who lived in Mexico and worked in California were to remain in Mexico, the lines would be a 10 minute wait.

gnukid - 12-11-2011 at 07:27 PM

RFID sucks

BornFisher - 12-11-2011 at 08:45 PM

For some reason I can`t get Sentri. Must be that time, when I was 17 years old, that I was out late at night (10PM) and taken in for violating curfew. Or maybe the time I spit on the sidewalk. Or maybe the red light camera that got me.
Now we know that crossing between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the worst time of year. BUT 4 hours in the Ready Line is a real nightmare. I`m wondering where the back of the line was? This time of year, sometimes I feel trapped in Baja. Like the Hotel California. You can check out but never leave!!! ;)

bajaguy - 12-11-2011 at 09:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mengano
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
the homeland security guys have had 10 years to staff up for the border problem of too many people for too few inspectors.


Staff is not the problem, professor. It is too many people for too few lanes. That requires more lanes and more real estate, design and approval of both countries, and funding from Congress.

Of course, if every Mexican who lived in Mexico and worked in California were to remain in Mexico, the lines would be a 10 minute wait.





Actually, the line today at 2PM northbound was extremely long. Traffic was backed up on that side street that feeds onto Garita de Otay. Don't think they were going to work.

The times I have useed the Ready Lane (prior to getting the SENTRI decal on my "new" truck) I saw very few gringos using the Ready Lane.........

And BTW, they have 5 inspection booths open, but only one lane (in Mexico) feeding those booths.

bajadock - 12-11-2011 at 09:29 PM

Bajaguy, per my two trips through Otay Ready Lane this week, it is now a two lane entry on left(west) side.

There were definitely 5 booths open and may have had 6 during my Wednesday crossing. I was busy scheduling my plastic surgery with Dr. Carlos Buenrostro via my smartphone and was distracted.

They also had the "double stack" booths set up. I am curious how that will work. With two cars "in the chamber", the rear car, passing the 10 second "what are you bringing back?" quickie still has to wait the 3 minute door slamming, fender knocking, extra question interrogation of the forward car.

The "double stack" is supposedly starting at San Ysidro/TJ. Anyone know how that is working???

Bajafun777 - 12-11-2011 at 09:37 PM

Secret to crossing the border quickly no matter what time of the year is small motorcycle, so you can get between cars trying to squeeze you out. Goldwing just too big to do the moves but my small 1200 Harley is just right to move in and out to get out,LOL.
However, like others have said here the Sentri is my "ACE" to use all the time and most often the best choice. Even walking across the Sentri goes to the front of that 24 block lined up people you see at the border waiting to cross by foot. Take Care & Travel Safe-- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

zoesterone - 12-12-2011 at 06:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I tried it for the first time this morning. Just got the cards last week.
Arrived at the end of the line at 9:00 a.m. Did not get to the customs gate until 10 minutes after 1 p.m.!

Won't make that mistake again.


Was this at San Ysidro? It was my understanding the ready lane wasn't going to be open for a few more months. We sent off for our cards last week. (passport cards. Not able to get Sentri)

Mexitron - 12-12-2011 at 07:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajadock
Bajaguy, per my two trips through Otay Ready Lane this week, it is now a two lane entry on left(west) side.

There were definitely 5 booths open and may have had 6 during my Wednesday crossing. I was busy scheduling my plastic surgery with Dr. Carlos Buenrostro via my smartphone and was distracted.

They also had the "double stack" booths set up. I am curious how that will work. With two cars "in the chamber", the rear car, passing the 10 second "what are you bringing back?" quickie still has to wait the 3 minute door slamming, fender knocking, extra question interrogation of the forward car.

The "double stack" is supposedly starting at San Ysidro/TJ. Anyone know how that is working???


They were doing the double stack around 8 years ago, then stopped....

Udo - 12-12-2011 at 08:07 AM

Hey Fisher...
The back of the line started on the boulevard that parallels the soccer stadiums on the West side and went down another 1/2 mile.
Even after all that, I still went through the most thorough car search since I crossed on 9/11 weekend.
BTW...even getting out of the car and waving the RFID card in front of the machine...it did not read our cards.
Answer from customs: some machines are not working!

nbacc - 12-12-2011 at 02:24 PM

oh........wonderful!

RFID MISC

BobY - 12-25-2011 at 12:17 AM

Someone going with a friend of mine in a group told the border guard (the truth) that they were going to Occupy San Diego. That got them into secondary. Bright move!

Stupid of me not to talk to more people before recording a purely positive news broadcast talking up the RFID. I'll have to follow up on that with more specifics. What can I say?

:rolleyes:

But I have lots of diverse topics in the latest broadcasts:
Yourell.com/news_mexico, including the new treaty about American rights when arrested.