Passport card or SENTRI? Passing customs faster when coming back from Mexico - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ful-rac · 02-24-2014, 04:44 PM

I know last time we went thru the border I was the only one with a passport card. The border officer told us that if everyone in the vehicle had a passport card like me...we would be able to use the express lanes. I didn't even know that at the time.

buddha · 02-24-2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I know last time we went thru the border I was the only one with a passport card. The border officer told us that if everyone in the vehicle had a passport card like me...we would be able to use the express lanes. I didn't even know that at the time.

Do you have a sentri card or just a regular passport?

ful-rac · 02-24-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

Do you have a sentri card or just a regular passport?

Just like I said "PASSPORT CARD".

I didn't even know that either, but I asked him just to make sure and the officer confirmed that the passport card is ok to use in the express lanes. Ask Jim, and Greg they were in my truck with me...they heard it too.

buddha · 02-24-2014, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Just like I said "PASSPORT CARD".

I didn't even know that either, but I asked him just to make sure and the officer confirmed that the passport card is ok to use in the express lanes. Ask Jim, and Greg they were in my truck with me...they heard it too.

To me that is very suspect. Everyone that comes back to the US has to have a passport. The passport card is actually the lesser form of the passport as you can only enter by car or foot.

I fail to see how a passport card is special since everyone has to have a passport.

I had two friends drive to the border and one of them had the Sentri card and one had the passport card. The one with the passport card had to get out of the car and stand in the walking entry while the one with the Sentri card was allowed to go through the fast lane. Unless both have the Sentri card you can not go through the fast lane.

FISH11 · 02-24-2014, 06:19 PM

Exactly!

dniss · 02-24-2014, 07:43 PM

I've had a SENTRI card for about 6 years. It's about $140 with a transponder decal for one vehicle, good for 5 years. Yes, you need to go for an interview and a quick vehicle inspection. I figure if you go south more than 2 or 3 times a year it's worth it, as the wait at San Ysidro or Otay can be brutal, and a friend with family in Tecate says that line sucks when the soldiers let people take cuts in front of you for a quick $20. I also have a passport card and noticed that there's an expedited pedestrian line at Otay. When I asked if San Ysidro was similar they said no. Also, no SENTRI lane in Tecate. I haven't heard of the passport card being good for SENTRI lanes, and I know that use of SENTRI vehicle lanes requires all riders and the vehicle to have SENTRI cards and stickers. The longest I've ever waited in a SENTRI lane was 20 minutes, when regular lanes were taking 2.5-3hrs to get across. The new border crossing at San Ysidro boosted the number of SENTRI lanes. There was zero wait after Valentine's dinner at a killer restaurant in TJ. I head down several times each year for some good kitesurfing, fishing, eating out, etc. so it's worth it for me. TJ has burgeoning restaurant, art, and music stuff going on, wineries worth checking out in Guadalupe Valley between Tecate and Ensenada, so fun to be had if you're into that kind of stuff as well.

ful-rac · 02-24-2014, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

To me that is very suspect. Everyone that comes back to the US has to have a passport. The passport card is actually the lesser form of the passport as you can only enter by car or foot.

I fail to see how a passport card is special since everyone has to have a passport.

I had two friends drive to the border and one of them had the Sentri card and one had the passport card. The one with the passport card had to get out of the car and stand in the walking entry while the one with the Sentri card was allowed to go through the fast lane. Unless both have the Sentri card you can not go through the fast lane.

I cant say that i tried it yet, unless the border officer didnt know what he was talking about...told me very clearly that it was ok...I even remember asking about the sentri card so we wern't confused...and he even told the guys to get one so we could go in e express lanes...

Im telln you what he said...

Next time somebody crosses the border make sure to ask again for everyone.

ful-rac · 02-24-2014, 08:12 PM

Went to the homeland security web site and found this.
I guess we can use them in the "ready lane", what ever that is. Is that not the express lane.

What documents can I use to enter the Ready Lane?

WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled cards approved by the Department of Homeland Security include: the U.S. Passport Card; the Enhanced Driver's License (EDL); the Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC); Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and FAST cards); the new Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or new Border Crossing Card (BCC). Ready Lane locations can be found here.

SENTRI and NEXUS lanes are reserved strictly for the use of SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry card holders.

All travelers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must have an RFID-enabled card to use the Ready Lane. Children 15 years old and younger may travel in the Ready Lane with adult travelers if all adults in the vehicle have an RFID-enabled travel card.

U.S. Passport Cards can be obtained through the Department of State.

NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST cards can be obtained through the CBP website.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) can be obtained from a local DMV or government office in the states of New York, Washington, Vermont, and Michigan, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba. Note: If you applied and are waiting for the EDL, the receipt or temporary notice you may have received is NOT a valid travel document.

If you wish to receive automatic updates to this Q&A, select "Subscribe to Updates" on the left side of this screen.

buddha · 02-24-2014, 08:40 PM

I have never heard of a ready lane.

I thought there was the sentri lane and then everyone else.

If it is faster than the regular lines then great but it won't be as fast as the nexus or sentri lanes.

45user · 02-24-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Went to the homeland security web site and found this.
I guess we can use them in the "ready lane", what ever that is. Is that not the express lane.

What documents can I use to enter the Ready Lane?

WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled cards approved by the Department of Homeland Security include: the U.S. Passport Card; the Enhanced Driver's License (EDL); the Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC); Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and FAST cards); the new Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or new Border Crossing Card (BCC). Ready Lane locations can be found here.

SENTRI and NEXUS lanes are reserved strictly for the use of SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry card holders.

All travelers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must have an RFID-enabled card to use the Ready Lane. Children 15 years old and younger may travel in the Ready Lane with adult travelers if all adults in the vehicle have an RFID-enabled travel card.

U.S. Passport Cards can be obtained through the Department of State.

NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST cards can be obtained through the CBP website.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) can be obtained from a local DMV or government office in the states of New York, Washington, Vermont, and Michigan, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba. Note: If you applied and are waiting for the EDL, the receipt or temporary notice you may have received is NOT a valid travel document.

If you wish to receive automatic updates to this Q&A, select "Subscribe to Updates" on the left side of this screen.

So last July when I was coming back from Bahia de Los Angeles, my friend had a passport card and I had a passport book. We saw a line that was going considerably faster but it was not a drive through fast however they had to flash their card (not transponder) at this machine then proceed to border agent then drove off.. Way faster than passport book lane. So my friend asked the border agent why the other lane was faster and we were told the same thing as ful-rac was told.
And I looked up passport card and I found out about SENTRI..I guess I will wait for someone's report back from baja as my planned trip is not until July.
45

jorluivil · 02-25-2014, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Just like I said "PASSPORT CARD".

I didn't even know that either, but I asked him just to make sure and the officer confirmed that the passport card is ok to use in the express lanes. Ask Jim, and Greg they were in my truck with me...they heard it too.

I asked them and they replied saying they don't know anyone named Tony

45user · 02-25-2014, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I asked them and they replied saying they don't know anyone named Tony

The pelican · 02-25-2014, 09:09 AM

SENTRI and Ready lane are two different lanes. SENTRI costs more, is more or a process to get and gets you through the line much more quickly. Ready is easy to get (you just need the passport card) and the lane can be faster than regular lane but typically longer than SENTRI. If you're going to Mex regularly, get SENTRI. If you go infrequently, get a passport card, use Ready Lane, and get a good app on your smart phone that helps you understand when lines are short. Use that to cross at times which aren't busy.

primosurf · 02-25-2014, 09:54 AM

I agree. I would just get a passport card if you are going down only few times (2-3).

45user · 02-24-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I know last time we went thru the border I was the only one with a passport card. The border officer told us that if everyone in the vehicle had a passport card like me...we would be able to use the express lanes. I didn't even know that at the time.

That's what we were told too..
Still confused haha

45

buddha · 02-24-2014, 05:40 PM

This like Who's on First!

Everyone has to have a passport to enter the US. Either the passport card or the book.

The only "card' that gets you into the fast lane is the Sentri Card.

FISH11 · 02-24-2014, 05:53 PM

Where I work there as several employees that live in Mexico and the Sentri pass is what they got to enter quicker. It required filling out paperwork, interviews, background check and a fee. It is only worth it for people who have to cross the border several times a week.

02-24-2014, 04:44 PM	#1
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I know last time we went thru the border I was the only one with a passport card. The border officer told us that if everyone in the vehicle had a passport card like me...we would be able to use the express lanes. I didn't even know that at the time. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-24-2014, 07:43 PM	#6
dniss Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 77	Crossing easy I've had a SENTRI card for about 6 years. It's about $140 with a transponder decal for one vehicle, good for 5 years. Yes, you need to go for an interview and a quick vehicle inspection. I figure if you go south more than 2 or 3 times a year it's worth it, as the wait at San Ysidro or Otay can be brutal, and a friend with family in Tecate says that line sucks when the soldiers let people take cuts in front of you for a quick $20. I also have a passport card and noticed that there's an expedited pedestrian line at Otay. When I asked if San Ysidro was similar they said no. Also, no SENTRI lane in Tecate. I haven't heard of the passport card being good for SENTRI lanes, and I know that use of SENTRI vehicle lanes requires all riders and the vehicle to have SENTRI cards and stickers. The longest I've ever waited in a SENTRI lane was 20 minutes, when regular lanes were taking 2.5-3hrs to get across. The new border crossing at San Ysidro boosted the number of SENTRI lanes. There was zero wait after Valentine's dinner at a killer restaurant in TJ. I head down several times each year for some good kitesurfing, fishing, eating out, etc. so it's worth it for me. TJ has burgeoning restaurant, art, and music stuff going on, wineries worth checking out in Guadalupe Valley between Tecate and Ensenada, so fun to be had if you're into that kind of stuff as well.

02-24-2014, 08:12 PM	#8
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Went to the homeland security web site and found this. I guess we can use them in the "ready lane", what ever that is. Is that not the express lane. What documents can I use to enter the Ready Lane? WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled cards approved by the Department of Homeland Security include: the U.S. Passport Card; the Enhanced Driver's License (EDL); the Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC); Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and FAST cards); the new Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or new Border Crossing Card (BCC). Ready Lane locations can be found here. SENTRI and NEXUS lanes are reserved strictly for the use of SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry card holders. All travelers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must have an RFID-enabled card to use the Ready Lane. Children 15 years old and younger may travel in the Ready Lane with adult travelers if all adults in the vehicle have an RFID-enabled travel card. U.S. Passport Cards can be obtained through the Department of State. NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST cards can be obtained through the CBP website. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) can be obtained from a local DMV or government office in the states of New York, Washington, Vermont, and Michigan, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba. Note: If you applied and are waiting for the EDL, the receipt or temporary notice you may have received is NOT a valid travel document. If you wish to receive automatic updates to this Q&A, select "Subscribe to Updates" on the left side of this screen. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-24-2014, 06:19 PM	#5
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Exactly!

02-24-2014, 08:40 PM	#9
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	I have never heard of a ready lane. I thought there was the sentri lane and then everyone else. If it is faster than the regular lines then great but it won't be as fast as the nexus or sentri lanes.

02-25-2014, 09:09 AM	#13
The pelican Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: La Jolla Posts: 82	SENTRI and Ready lane are two different lanes. SENTRI costs more, is more or a process to get and gets you through the line much more quickly. Ready is easy to get (you just need the passport card) and the lane can be faster than regular lane but typically longer than SENTRI. If you're going to Mex regularly, get SENTRI. If you go infrequently, get a passport card, use Ready Lane, and get a good app on your smart phone that helps you understand when lines are short. Use that to cross at times which aren't busy.

02-25-2014, 09:54 AM	#14
primosurf Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fullerton Posts: 67	I agree. I would just get a passport card if you are going down only few times (2-3).

02-24-2014, 05:40 PM	#16
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	This like Who's on First! Everyone has to have a passport to enter the US. Either the passport card or the book. The only "card' that gets you into the fast lane is the Sentri Card.

02-24-2014, 05:53 PM	#17
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Where I work there as several employees that live in Mexico and the Sentri pass is what they got to enter quicker. It required filling out paperwork, interviews, background check and a fee. It is only worth it for people who have to cross the border several times a week.