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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
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Passport
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
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sorry about the above.......I messed up! My question: Is the Passport
card worth getting? How is the line for what they call "ready pass" or something like that at the border? I would love to know if it gets you through
the border wait any faster. I guess you just hold it up to the window. Anyone use one or know anyone who does? Thanks ahead of time. Nancy
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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the card is for people that cross all the time
you put it in your wallet
the book for the rest of us
remember the card is extra money
and something else to loose when the wallet goes
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
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I have both Sentri and Passport cards. Never used it to cross but quite a bit has been posted using it.
It has a RFID in it. When you pull up to the stuff before you cross, you hold it up and they match your image to the photo on hand. At the same time
the agent was all your info. (address and all) no need to scan a passport and check your photo.
I carry mine all the time use it as ID and a back up when I cross the boarder. It's cheap when you get your passport.
MMc
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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I have one and find it convenient because it's always in my wallet so I never forget to bring it. The book is easier to leave on the dresser or lose.
I got it soon after forgetting to bring the book about a month or so after the new rules. Thankfully I got an understanding agent who asked me where
I was born. That didn't seem quite right so he asked me where I was raised, The answer to that satisfied him and he let me in. Obviously he was
trained in recognizing accents. That was a relief but I don't want to repeat the experience so I decided to always have the card with me. It has a
RFID chip so I guess some places you can just scan it but here in San Luis they take it and check it out on the computer.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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Is it faster when crossing the border than regular lanes.......i have to think it would be. I cross in Mexicali.
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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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Ready Lane
Here is what I posted regarding the Ready Lane at Otay Mesa
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=54452
If you value your time and do not like to sit and wait, you have two options.....SENTRI and/or the Passport Card. The Ready Lane is the least
expensive at $30 for a Passport Card if you currently hold a US Passport.
Wait times at Otay for us using the Ready Lane never exceeded 18 minutes.
There are now 5 Ready Lane inspection booths, and the TJ police have been checking the line to ensure that the proper documentation is in hand as you
enter the lane.
[Edited on 9-1-2011 by bajaguy]
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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anyone crossing regularly with one in Mexicali? How many Ready Lanes in Mexicali ? Just wondering. Nancy
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by nbacc
anyone crossing regularly with one in Mexicali? How many Ready Lanes in Mexicali ? Just wondering. Nancy |
Only one lane, unknown how many inspection booths. It is located next to the SENTRI lane, Calexico East crossing.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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I have some friends that do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts from their earlier years of not thinking properly,LOL.
Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way
to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?
Since Sentri tolerates no type of arrests for whatever reason it is definately a deal breaker for a number of people that really have no issues of
serious nature. This is a good thing in that Sentri should be quicker and reason seems to focus on people that break or challenge the law have
tendency to test the waters again. Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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"do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts"
That's incredible! I am a bonded person, ABC Licenses, Contractor's License....and two misdemeanor acts :-)
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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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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Passport Card
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajafun777
I have some friends that do not qualify for the Sentri due to DWI or other misdemeanor acts from their earlier years of not thinking properly,LOL.
Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way
to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?
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If you currently hold a US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $30. If do not have a current US Passport, the cost for a Passport Card is $55.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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I don't know then mcfez, as two people I know did not get Sentri due to one having DWI or so he was lead to believe since they did not tell him for
sure why but it was the only thing he had on his record. The other one had a misdemeanor marijuana thing so he felt for sure that was why he did not
get his also. So, if you got yours that is great, as they did not get theirs. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN"
bajafun777
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Thanks for the information bajaguy and I will pass it on when asked in the future about passport card for Ready Lanes. Take Care & Travel
Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajafun777
I don't know then mcfez, as two people I know did not get Sentri due to one having DWI or so he was lead to believe since they did not tell him for
sure why but it was the only thing he had on his record. The other one had a misdemeanor marijuana thing so he felt for sure that was why he did not
get his also. So, if you got yours that is great, as they did not get theirs. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN"
bajafun777 |
I wasn't doubting you statement...just adding my surprised reaction. :-)
[Edited on 9-1-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 836
Registered: 5-1-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajafun777
Thus, I have advised them to get the passport card for Ready Lanes since it is based on your passport. I think I advised them right as the only way
to get the card is by having your passport first, correct?
Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777 |
I don't think that this is correct. You can get the card directly without having the passport book first.
I just renewed my passport and the options are, Book, Card, Both. The card with your passport book is $30 more.
I got both for convenience sake. Seeing as you are supposed to carry your passport and your Mex Immigration documents with you at all times while in
Mexico, (Mexican Immigration Law), the passport book gets pretty beat up after ten years in your back pants pocket. The card goes in my wallet along
with my FM2 card and is much easier to keep with you. My wife carries her passport in her purse. After ten years, it still looks brand new, so no
card.
There is one caveat with the card. It is only good for land or sea entry to the US. If you ever fly, you have to have the book! And we fly, too.
(Don't bother with the, What if gets stolen ..., Lose the purse or wallet ...., Carry a copy never the original ...., etc ...... We Know! And choose
to abide by the Mexican laws. Besides, if the card ever does get lost or stolen, you still have an original Passport Book. Just consider it a $30
copy!)
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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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See my post above. Link goes directly to the US State Department Passport car4d information page.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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I understand if denied a Sentri for reasons mentioned,
you can POSSIBLY clean it up, and then be
considered a reputable Sentri Candidate
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
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but what I really want to know is when using the Mexicali crossing is it faster to use the ready Lane? Is there anyone out there in Nomadland twho has
used it at the East crossing? Does it help you to avoid the long wait that is sometimes there? Nancy
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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They are really picky. I have friend who lost his passport about 30 years ago in a foreign country where US passports are in big demand on the black
market.
He was black listed until recently. To the point that every time he renewed his passport they put him through the third degree. SENTRI was out of the
question.
On the other hand, maybe it's not that bad - after all, I got one! 
[Edited on 9-1-2011 by Roberto]
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