Bomberro
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 7-19-2006
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New Passport Card and Otay Mesa
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?
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Cisco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4196
Registered: 12-30-2010
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| 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.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| 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
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Bomberro
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 7-19-2006
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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!
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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cisco - what is a ready card ?
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movinguy
Nomad
Posts: 257
Registered: 3-19-2004
Location: Chula Vista, CA and Tijuana, MX
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When you go through the revolving gate at Otay you will see the Sentri and Ready lanes clearly marked.
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zoesterone
Nomad
Posts: 127
Registered: 5-8-2011
Location: Mazatlan, soon to be Baja
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| 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.
Dogs are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
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Cisco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4196
Registered: 12-30-2010
Member Is Offline
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| 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.
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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.
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