BajaNomad

Crossing North of the Border Tomorrow, Which Ready Lane, SY or Otay?

Gypsy Jan - 3-22-2012 at 07:02 PM

Hubby is heading north of the border mid-morning.

Woooosh - 3-22-2012 at 08:27 PM

how do you get to the ready lane san ysidro this week?

bajadock - 3-22-2012 at 09:50 PM

I'll do Otay tomorrow morning. Too much drama at TJ past several months. And I'm bringing 1,000 friends with me to clog Otay. STAYAWAY from OTAY FRIDAY!!!...or ELSE!

Woooosh - 3-22-2012 at 10:14 PM

my question was serious, Does anyone know?

mes1952 - 3-23-2012 at 08:08 AM

Generally Otay is much less congested than San Ysidro and if you are returning to Mexico customs are more lax than at SY. I work in San Diego 2+ times week and NEVER cross at SY. Also as I'm traveling back and forth at different hours of the day/night, SY streets are too dark for me so I always cross at Otay at night as the streets have better lighting as a safety factor.

Hi Woooosh

Gypsy Jan - 3-23-2012 at 08:11 AM

Unless they have changed the approach at San Ysidro since last month, you need to go to the Padre Kino roundabout and head north. The approach to the Ready lanes and regular passenger lanes are clearly marked.

Bonus info, I found the Customs and Border Patrol website for Border Wait Times which is updated hourly: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/index.asp

mes1952 - 3-23-2012 at 08:23 AM

I would not depend on those border wait websites as they generally are off sometimes by 1 hour.

BornFisher - 3-23-2012 at 01:10 PM

Used the Otay Ready Lane today around 10:30------ 15 minute wait, but what a surprise as I found out the hard way, there is a different access from Blvd. 2000.
The old way----- turn right at the light by the tire shop about 2 blocks past McDonalds. DON`T do this----- the Ready Lane is blocked off. So I took the ramp to Bella Artes, and made my way east and then south to get back on Blvd 2000.
New way--- Go past the old turn, past a huge public park (1/2 mile or so).Take your first right (there is a light there), then go up to the next street and take another right. This will get you in the Ready Lane----- actually it`s really easy!

fishingmako - 3-23-2012 at 08:22 PM

Can anyone tell me, can you cross in the ready lane with a pickup and camper shell? I've heard conflicting stories wanted to know if anyone has the real deal?

Thanks Nomads

Woooosh - 3-23-2012 at 08:29 PM

The ready lanes were a nightmare at SY today. Too much merging from the Padre Kino side. Regular lanes were faster. They'll get it figured out soon I hope.

805gregg - 3-25-2012 at 06:46 PM

Tecate no line

bajabass - 3-26-2012 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BornFisher
Used the Otay Ready Lane today around 10:30------ 15 minute wait, but what a surprise as I found out the hard way, there is a different access from Blvd. 2000.
The old way----- turn right at the light by the tire shop about 2 blocks past McDonalds. DON`T do this----- the Ready Lane is blocked off. So I took the ramp to Bella Artes, and made my way east and then south to get back on Blvd 2000.
New way--- Go past the old turn, past a huge public park (1/2 mile or so).Take your first right (there is a light there), then go up to the next street and take another right. This will get you in the Ready Lane----- actually it`s really easy!
Right Bill, I entered just past McDonalds last Monday, just after noon. They had barricaded the ready lane entrance there, and I spent 3 hours in line. :fire:

bajadock - 3-26-2012 at 12:11 PM

Tecate: 5 minutes at 10-ish this morning. aaahhhhhh!

bajaguy - 3-26-2012 at 12:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabass
Quote:
Originally posted by BornFisher
Used the Otay Ready Lane today around 10:30------ 15 minute wait, but what a surprise as I found out the hard way, there is a different access from Blvd. 2000.
The old way----- turn right at the light by the tire shop about 2 blocks past McDonalds. DON`T do this----- the Ready Lane is blocked off. So I took the ramp to Bella Artes, and made my way east and then south to get back on Blvd 2000.
New way--- Go past the old turn, past a huge public park (1/2 mile or so).Take your first right (there is a light there), then go up to the next street and take another right. This will get you in the Ready Lane----- actually it`s really easy!
Right Bill, I entered just past McDonalds last Monday, just after noon. They had barricaded the ready lane entrance there, and I spent 3 hours in line. :fire:





If you are on Corridor 2000, take the signed exits to San Diego or Garita de Otay. This will put you on Industrial Blvd.

Continue on Industrial Blvd and you will pass under a footbridge with "PANASONIC" written on it. Up and over the "new" overpass, you will pass a McDonalds on your right.

Just past the McDonalds, there will be a stoplight intersection (Garita de Otay) with a tire shop on your right side.......if you want the "regular lanes" turn right here....

For easy access to the Ready Lanes, Proceed past Garita de Otay (the tire shop) continuing on Industrial Blvd.

Turn right onto Blvd Lazaro Card##as (may also be marked as the route to the Tijuana Airport) .

Turn right onto Blvd Alejandero von Humbold….proceed straight as this will set you up for the merge into the Ready Lanes on Garita de Otay

dtbushpilot - 3-27-2012 at 08:53 AM

What happens if you find yourself in the ready lane and can't get over to the "all vehicles" lane and you're not "ready"?....dt

pointdog - 3-27-2012 at 09:21 AM

Is he "Ready Lane" for SENTRI pass holders only?

Uh-Oh......

bajaguy - 3-27-2012 at 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
What happens if you find yourself in the ready lane and can't get over to the "all vehicles" lane and you're not "ready"?....dt





I think you should be "ready" for a trip to secondary!!!!

Nope

bajaguy - 3-27-2012 at 10:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pointdog
Is he "Ready Lane" for SENTRI pass holders only?





SENTRI has it's own dedicated lane.

To use the Ready Lane you need some type of government issued ID CARD that has an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip, such as a US Passport Card, a SENTRI card or an enhanced state driver’s license. Also, A US Passport with the RFID chip will work.

All passengers over the age of 16 must have this card or the passport with the RFID chip..

pointdog - 3-27-2012 at 11:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by pointdog
Is he "Ready Lane" for SENTRI pass holders only?





SENTRI has it's own dedicated lane.

To use the Ready Lane you need some type of government issued ID CARD that has an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip, such as a US Passport Card, a SENTRI card or an enhanced state driver’s license. Also, A US Passport with the RFID chip will work.

All passengers over the age of 16 must have this card or the passport with the RFID chip..


How do I tell if my passport has the RFID chip?

Passport RFID Chip

bajaguy - 3-27-2012 at 11:59 AM

Depends on when it was issued, but if it has a chip, it will have this logo on the front:

http://tinyurl.com/cqvpn2j

bajadock - 3-28-2012 at 10:38 AM

"Also, A US Passport with the RFID chip will work." - Bajaguy

Terry, I have asked TWICE in past month to two different CBP guards at Otay. Both told me that the RFID passport books are not accepted due to technical glitch. I own an RFID passport book and the passport card.

So, those guards are either BOTH wrong or BOTH accurate on this. ANYONE ELSE?

Woooosh - 3-28-2012 at 12:28 PM

Don't even bother with a ready lane at San Ysidro. Took me three hours Monday.