BajaNomad

New Passport Card and Otay Mesa

Bomberro - 1-17-2013 at 06:06 PM

We got our new Passport Cards today! Yea! I applied on Dec 30th and here it is Jan 17 and they came in the mail. My question to my fellow Nomads is 'Which walk thru lane can I get into at Otay?' We crossed just about 3 weeks ago, and it was raining, covered walkway while in Mexico, then at US area of course nada. I saw the Sentri lane for walkers, and it has a separate turnstile. We were then in the everybody, pass port etc lane. I saw a sign above us that said, visa, passport, passport card etc. Does that mean we stand in the same line? The Sentri side had very few people and they went very fast. Does the new Passport Card allow us to get into the Sentri walking lane? Just trying to find a faster and easier way to walk accross. Anyone know the answer?

Cisco - 1-17-2013 at 06:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bomberro
We got our new Passport Cards today! Yea! I applied on Dec 30th and here it is Jan 17 and they came in the mail. My question to my fellow Nomads is 'Which walk thru lane can I get into at Otay?' We crossed just about 3 weeks ago, and it was raining, covered walkway while in Mexico, then at US area of course nada. I saw the Sentri lane for walkers, and it has a separate turnstile. We were then in the everybody, pass port etc lane. I saw a sign above us that said, visa, passport, passport card etc. Does that mean we stand in the same line? The Sentri side had very few people and they went very fast. Does the new Passport Card allow us to get into the Sentri walking lane? Just trying to find a faster and easier way to walk accross. Anyone know the answer?


Don't know about walking but was four minutes total in T.J. linea
Wednesday evening about 10:30 with my new "ready" card in the van.

Three cars ahead of me in line and bam I was otta there. Love the ready card if that is a common occurrence. They were stacked up in the regular lanes.

Would prefer Sentri but don't qualify.

bajaguy - 1-17-2013 at 07:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bomberro
We got our new Passport Cards today! Yea! I applied on Dec 30th and here it is Jan 17 and they came in the mail. My question to my fellow Nomads is 'Which walk thru lane can I get into at Otay?' We crossed just about 3 weeks ago, and it was raining, covered walkway while in Mexico, then at US area of course nada. I saw the Sentri lane for walkers, and it has a separate turnstile. We were then in the everybody, pass port etc lane. I saw a sign above us that said, visa, passport, passport card etc. Does that mean we stand in the same line? The Sentri side had very few people and they went very fast. Does the new Passport Card allow us to get into the Sentri walking lane? Just trying to find a faster and easier way to walk accross. Anyone know the answer?





Had a friend cross with a Passport Card....went to the SENTRI pedestrian gate, they let her in, then directed her to the window

Bomberro - 1-18-2013 at 08:32 AM

Thanks for the info on the Sentri walking lane, we will try it when we fly into TJ next March. Thanks again to Baja Guy and Cisco!

BajaBlanca - 1-18-2013 at 08:43 AM

cisco - what is a ready card ?

movinguy - 1-18-2013 at 08:53 AM

When you go through the revolving gate at Otay you will see the Sentri and Ready lanes clearly marked.

zoesterone - 1-18-2013 at 10:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cisco
Quote:
Originally posted by Bomberro
We got our new Passport Cards today! Yea! I applied on Dec 30th and here it is Jan 17 and they came in the mail. My question to my fellow Nomads is 'Which walk thru lane can I get into at Otay?' We crossed just about 3 weeks ago, and it was raining, covered walkway while in Mexico, then at US area of course nada. I saw the Sentri lane for walkers, and it has a separate turnstile. We were then in the everybody, pass port etc lane. I saw a sign above us that said, visa, passport, passport card etc. Does that mean we stand in the same line? The Sentri side had very few people and they went very fast. Does the new Passport Card allow us to get into the Sentri walking lane? Just trying to find a faster and easier way to walk accross. Anyone know the answer?


Don't know about walking but was four minutes total in T.J. linea
Wednesday evening about 10:30 with my new "ready" card in the van.

Three cars ahead of me in line and bam I was otta there. Love the ready card if that is a common occurrence. They were stacked up in the regular lanes.

Would prefer Sentri but don't qualify.


Don't count on it. Lately it has been sparse, but the average Ready card wait is an hour or so. Still better than the regular lane.

Cisco - 1-18-2013 at 11:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by zoesterone
Quote:
Originally posted by Cisco
Quote:
Originally posted by Bomberro
We got our new Passport Cards today! Yea! I applied on Dec 30th and here it is Jan 17 and they came in the mail. My question to my fellow Nomads is 'Which walk thru lane can I get into at Otay?' We crossed just about 3 weeks ago, and it was raining, covered walkway while in Mexico, then at US area of course nada. I saw the Sentri lane for walkers, and it has a separate turnstile. We were then in the everybody, pass port etc lane. I saw a sign above us that said, visa, passport, passport card etc. Does that mean we stand in the same line? The Sentri side had very few people and they went very fast. Does the new Passport Card allow us to get into the Sentri walking lane? Just trying to find a faster and easier way to walk accross. Anyone know the answer?


Don't know about walking but was four minutes total in T.J. linea
Wednesday evening about 10:30 with my new "ready" card in the van.

Three cars ahead of me in line and bam I was otta there. Love the ready card if that is a common occurrence. They were stacked up in the regular lanes.

Would prefer Sentri but don't qualify.


Don't count on it. Lately it has been sparse, but the average Ready card wait is an hour or so. Still better than the regular lane.


Oh disappointing. There is really no need for this kind of back-up at the border. Sign of the political/financial times I guess.

Blanca, I call it my ready card as that is all I use it for. It is the chip encrypted passport card that is read electronically and provides CBP with information about you that may expedite eligibility to re-enter U.S.

For those not aware of Sentri it is the best deal but comes with qualifications regarding the vehicle and driver/passengers that must be met before issuance. I am not qualified unfortunately or I would spend the time and money to obtain that service. Very time saving.