BajaNomad - Border crossing- shorter wait at San Ysidro now???

Border crossing- shorter wait at San Ysidro now???

skipowell - 9-20-2014 at 10:04 AM

Would love to her first hand from crossers.
Last Wednesday the the San Diego Union Tribune published an article stating that all lanes are now open at San Ysidro and the wait time is way down.
Been following the Border Wait app and the CBP website this week and the wait times do seem to be significantly less.
I am going to test the Ready Lane tomorrow morning as I brought a Non Sentri car down this weekend. Just to be safe I am going to get an early start.
Lets share our experiences

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/sep/17/san-ysidro-border...

edit added link

[Edited on 9-20-2014 by skipowell]

willardguy - 9-20-2014 at 10:18 AM

lets hope for the best but I gotta say my last 4 or 5 crossings in the readylane have all been under a half hour, all weekdays at 10AM. I can live with that! :yes:

bajalearner - 9-20-2014 at 10:24 AM

I crossed on Tuesday at 330pm and no cars in SENTRI, very few cars in the other lanes. I thought it might be due to the MX holiday.

I crossed Friday at noon and very short wait times for all lanes. I didn't notice if all lanes are now open.

10 min wait in ready lane Sunday 8am

skipowell - 9-21-2014 at 04:55 PM

I crossed San Ysidro this morning in the Ready Lane as I have Sentri but my new car isn't approved yet. I got through in 10 minutes. My husband took his car through Sentri and only got through a minute or so faster.
Whoo Hoo. I was so bummed about the 6 month wait to get a car added and now thinking it not be worth the hassle when I finally get the approval, to bad I already paid the $42. I don't have to drive my car down that often.

DENNIS - 9-21-2014 at 05:03 PM

Let's not jump to conclusions in the border zone. The area has the ability to morph into a monster at any moment.

elgatoloco - 9-21-2014 at 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Let's not jump to conclusions in the border zone. The area has the ability to morph into a monster at any moment.

Orange alert! Orange Alert!

I do know may who are ready to return to visiting the area who are only being held back by the interminable waits of the last few years. The stated goal by the government PR machine for spending nearly $200 mil was to ensure that the wait at the busiest border land crossing in the world would never be more then 30 minutes in any lane. :saint:

We shall see. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 9-21-2014 at 06:56 PM

We shall see...yes. The area does have a way of breeding pessimism.

TecateRay - 9-21-2014 at 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
We shall see...yes. The area does have a way of breeding pessimism.

I agree. next time they want to get more funding for staff or whatever other reason they can think of the waits will increase.

elgatoloco - 9-21-2014 at 07:45 PM

Viva Sentri! :lol:

bajalearner - 9-21-2014 at 11:03 PM

SY crossing has been faster all week. It's spooky...I am cruising up to the booths with very few cars in line. It's like going in a DMV office and getting fast and friendly service. No, not possible. I must be dreaming. Could not be true....DMV that is (in CA) but the SY crossing seems to be working.

After watching the construction process over a couple years and seeing the changes come to life, me thinks it is working.

Bob and Susan - 9-22-2014 at 06:02 AM

20 minute wait sunday 9-22 wow

...forget tecate

SFandH - 9-22-2014 at 06:29 AM

Enjoy it while you can. It will eventually fill up with people using San Ysidro instead of Otay and with US and TJ day trippers who before would not cross because of the back-up now deciding to give it a shot to visit / shop San Diego / TJ.

I hope I'm wrong, but....................

[Edited on 9-22-2014 by SFandH]

DENNIS - 9-22-2014 at 07:03 AM

I'm doing a Tecate run this AM. It's been so long...years...since I went through SY, I know I'd be lost in TJ and eaten by the natives.

Bob and Susan - 9-22-2014 at 07:12 AM

took the tour of tj too...dennis...missed the barrier...and a guy at the stop sign told me what to do...damn

thank god for cell phone gps....it was dark : )

took us right back and we crossed in 20 minutes at 7pm

back home tomorrow
another "run to the border"

tjsue - 9-22-2014 at 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
Enjoy it while you can. It will eventually fill up with people using San Ysidro instead of Otay and with US and TJ day trippers who before would not cross because of the back-up now deciding to give it a shot to visit / shop San Diego / TJ.

I hope I'm wrong, but....................

[Edited on 9-22-2014 by SFandH]

This is true, it's just a matter of time before it gets backed up again.

BooJumMan - 9-23-2014 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
20 minute wait sunday 9-22 wow

...forget tecate

SENTRI? Ready Lanes? What time!??

Of course I crossed 2 Sundays ago at 9am and it took me an hour in SENTRI! They were diverting traffic around the construction....

carlosg - 9-26-2014 at 12:01 PM

Buenos dias amigos,

We just crossed the border in Tecate last night(09/25/14 about 7:00pm) trailering a 16' boat after a camping trip to San Luis Gonzaga, the truck cab and bed were loaded with us and our equipment as well as the boat: used the left lane after the military post, took about 30 minutes to cross (don't try this on weekends specially on Sundays or on US or Mexican holidays, best time is Mon-Fri from 3:00pm on after), line started about half way down the hill (where the vendors start), we have (all 4 for the past 12 years) SENTRI Cards, officer asked what we had to declare and I gave him a verbal list (be prepared to do so and be very specific and clear) of vegetables, beer cans (3), wine bottles (6 bought in the US) and cheese, he replied asking if any poultry or pork and I said NO, it seems beef may have some problem coming across; then he seemed to go ahead and start writing the red slip for secondary inspection when he asked me if the trailer had its own registration which I immediately displayed (so be prepared and hand over any trailer and/or boat registration with your passport(s)) he checked it and sent us on our way... this was a great surprise and a pleasant one: no secondary. REMEMBER: BE PREPARED with ALL your info BEFORE arriving to the check point and check and recheck your paper work!!!!

When in Tecate try out El Tucan Restaurant in El Dorado Hotel (nice, basic, clean rooms: $450.00 pesos for double, wifi and secured parking -if available you can use the private parking not the street while dining- ph:665-654-1333), on weekends try the authentic Mexican all you eat buffet or you can also order from the menu, good freshly ground coffee, very clean restaurant and clean restrooms. Its on the main street: Avenida Juarez, coming from Ensenada drive north past the railroad tracks into town, at the Plaza make a left onto Avenida Juarez, drive west for about 8 blocks to the west end of downtown and its on the corner of Calle Cantu and Avenida Juarez east of the Red Cross.

Try this links:

to find out crossing times at ANY of Baja's Border Crossing:

http://bwt.cbp.gov/?com=1&pas=1&ped=1&plist=2503...

to find out crossing times at the Tijuana Border Crossing:

http://garitacenter.com/

http://www.frontera.info/Garitas/

http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/traficoengaritas

to find out what fruits and vegetables you can bring across the border, refresh your browser because it changes from time to time:

https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/index.cfm?NEW=1&R...

[Edited on 9-26-2014 by carlosg]

David K - 9-26-2014 at 12:33 PM

Thank you! :saint:

Maron - 9-26-2014 at 02:27 PM

Question please,

How does one qualify to use the Ready Lane. We have applied for Sentri, but still waiting.

Many thanks

Ron and Mary Ann

mtgoat666 - 9-26-2014 at 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by carlosg
We just crossed the border in Tecate last night... took about 30 minutes to cross

now that SY xing is operating quickly, you tecate crossers will have to come up with a new reason for taking the very inconvenient and extra long xing thru tecate :biggrin:

i hope the border waits stay short. this border xing is one budget item i hope my govt taxes and spends money like a drunken sailor!

mtgoat666 - 9-26-2014 at 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maron
Question please,

How does one qualify to use the Ready Lane. We have applied for Sentri, but still waiting.

Many thanks

Ron and Mary Ann

get a passport "card" with the embedded rfid chip; if you sign up for big brother tracking, then big brother lets you use the readi lane!

carlosg - 9-26-2014 at 03:10 PM

Sentri users with trailers or lots of stuff returning from Baja should use the Ready Lane instead of Sentri, to use Ready Lane these are the guidelines:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1211/~/ready-la...

Ateo - 9-26-2014 at 03:21 PM

Heading down for tacos Sunday! I'll report back on la linea!!

Maron - 9-26-2014 at 03:27 PM

mtgoat666

Thanks for the feedback.

tjsue - 9-26-2014 at 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maron
Question please,

How does one qualify to use the Ready Lane. We have applied for Sentri, but still waiting.

Many thanks

Ron and Mary Ann

It can take up to six months before you hear anything, so be patient.

To use the Ready Lane, you will need a Passport Card. You can print out the application, have your photos taken, and make an appointment to have it processed at the location of your choice, and it'll come in about two weeks or less.

tjsue - 9-26-2014 at 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by carlosg
Sentri users with trailers or lots of stuff returning from Baja should use the Ready Lane instead of Sentri, to use Ready Lane these are the guidelines:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1211/~/ready-la...

I moved 99 3/4% of my belongings in my Chevy Astrovan back from Tijuana in the Sentri Lanes. It was loaded to the top, and I was only stopped once. I asked in advance, and was told I could use it, so I did.

It made it a lot easier to move back, too!

Ken Cooke - 9-27-2014 at 01:38 PM

The border wait times look much shorter from these border cameras:

http://www.bordertraffic.com/California-Baja/San-Ysidro-Tiju...

carlosg - 9-27-2014 at 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjsue

Quote:

tjsue...

...you're right, however before my camping trip I asked the officer at the Sentri post about using that lane to cross with my camping equipment and he replied that I would be sent to secondary... also a fellow I know used to cross the Sentri lane on his truck loaded with pool service equipment and chemicals every day and had no problem... I just like to stay on the safe side because "they're" always looking for some excuse to make sure that people crossing the border know who is in charge... and that's ok but sometimes they'll go overboard... so be careful with cracked windshields or missing license plates... it ALL goes into your record...

tjsue - 9-27-2014 at 10:59 PM

I asked the officer when I went to sign my lease if I could use the sentry lanes to move. He said that it was ok, as long as they could see what I had loaded.

I took over five loads of boxes, each time loaded to the top of the inside of my van, and was only stopped and sent to secondary once. The other officers didn't care, just asked what I had, and when I told them I was moving back to San Diego, they just waved me through.

The van that I had at that time had no cracks in any windows, nor missing license plates. Everything that I did at the time regarding moving my stuff back to San Diego was perfectly legal.

I spent three months going to secondary every time I crossed, whether I walked or drove, so I'm quite familiar with the system, and lots of the officers got to know me, and didn't keep me more than a few minutes.

Bob and Susan - 9-28-2014 at 07:25 AM

"it ALL goes on your record"

remember when you're old it doesn't matter anymore...
they don't look at THAT record "there" up or down

ncampion - 9-28-2014 at 07:48 AM

Crossed yesterday at about 1:00pm. Missed the turn for the San Ysidro crossing so went on to the Otay crossing. accidentally got in the Ready Lane and the wait was about 20 minutes. BTW the lines for the "All Traffic" lanes were shorter than the Ready Lane. My wife was worried we were going to get lectured since we don't have a passport card, but the officer at the booth was very friendly and said "no problem, everybody does it". Thirty seconds and were were across. Guess I'll get a passport card just the same. We were thinking that the shorter lines at SY probably also impacted teh Otay crossing positivitely as well.

SFandH - 9-28-2014 at 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjsue

I took over five loads of boxes, each time loaded to the top of the inside of my van, and was only stopped and sent to secondary once. The other officers didn't care, just asked what I had, and when I told them I was moving back to San Diego, they just waved me through.

Maybe they waved you through because they put a note in your record that you previously notified them that you were moving.

Everytime you cross the guard has the option of adding a note to your record concerning his observations. Other guards can read the note and add more at subsequent crossings. They can do that now I think in every lane. Maybe just the RFID lanes.

That can be good or bad for you, depending upon what was written.

[Edited on 9-28-2014 by SFandH]

El Jefe - 9-28-2014 at 09:39 AM

Significantly shorter waits at the border! Thank you President Obama!!!!

skipowell - 9-28-2014 at 02:35 PM

Seems to be back to the old program today. 40 minutes in Sentri at 1pm Sunday
Other lines were fairly long also
bummer

[Edited on 9-28-2014 by skipowell]

tjsue - 9-28-2014 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH

Quote:

Nothing was added to my record, and I really don't care if they put anything on it or not. It all depends on the officer at the border when you get there.

For the first three months after I moved to Tijuana, I went to secondary, and it didn't matter if I drove or I walked. The reason that I was sent to secondary, is because when I applied for my Sentri pass the first time, the "very young" officer decided that since I was low income, I was a risk.

Since I was a regular border crosser, the officers got tired of seeing me, and tried to figure out why I was sent to secondary, since I had nothing on my record. One of the officers said that he couldn't figure it out, but a note was put on my record in June to go to secondary. June (2013) is when I applied and was denied my Sentri pass.

I appealed it through a TRIP Report, and after about a month, I wasn't going to secondary anymore, but they never told me why I was sent there. All I got was a form letter in the mail with various reasons on it, but no specific reason.

I'm done and finished with that mess. Now the only reason that I have to cross the border is to either buy medication or have dental work done.

[Edited on 9-28-2014 by tjsue]

DENNIS - 9-28-2014 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe
Significantly shorter waits at the border! Thank you President Obama!!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by skipowell
Seems to be back to the old program today. 40 minutes in Sentri at 1pm Sunday
Other lines were fairly long also
bummer

willardguy - 9-28-2014 at 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skipowell
Seems to be back to the old program today. 40 minutes in Sentri at 1pm Sunday
Other lines were fairly long also
bummer

[Edited on 9-28-2014 by skipowell]

hoards of folks heading up to the murph to watch the chargers shred the jaguars?

tjsue - 9-28-2014 at 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy

Quote:

Originally posted by skipowell
Seems to be back to the old program today. 40 minutes in Sentri at 1pm Sunday
Other lines were fairly long also
bummer

[Edited on 9-28-2014 by skipowell]

hoards of folks heading up to the murph to watch the chargers shred the jaguars?

That and the Paul McCartney concert at Petco.

DENNIS - 9-28-2014 at 05:25 PM

Go Chargers.