The pedestrian border wait yesterday afternoon was three hours to cross. I have *never* seen it that bad on a Wednesday. I had an appointment so I hailed one of the taxi services and paid $10 to get across in less time. It almost backfired when a TJ cop stopped our bus from leaving. We were never told exactly what happened but we thought he was motioning to the tires. Eventually, who we thought was the "big boss" took a stroll with the cop away from our area and three minutes later we left. La mordita strikes again?
Anyway, I could always count on a relatively short (up to an hour) pedestrian crossing during the weekday afternoons (excluding Friday). But now it seems any day is a potential afternoon killer.
I envy the guys who can stay until late in the evening but alas! that is not to be for me.
I miss the good old days when you could rent a bike and cross ASAP.
An alternative when the line will be a mile long is crossing at Otay. Of course, it cost taxi money, "id y vuelta." Hardly an inexpensive solution, but when time is money...
I'm surprised the bike guys are not selling spots in line. All it would take is putting a people in line and when they get close sell the spot for $5. They could probably use the same guys that walked the bikes back and forth, etc...The overhead would be low, and it would actually be the same principle as the bike rentals.
I was there monday. went to mx 6pm. returned 9:30pm. 15 minute wait, or walk rather. the line started where it splits up into multiple lines with the railings, etc.
i usually time it to arrive when the tourists are leaving, and leave when the club kids are arriving. most of the time it works really well.
You are talking about the SENTRI pedestrian program. There are two SENTRI programs. The main program is for motorists and the pilot program is for pedestrians. I don't think they are issuing any more SENTRI pedestrians passes. I've been meaning to do more research about both since even the pedestrian lines are getting insanely long. I don't really want to drive into Mexico but if the pedestrian wait is going to be two or more hours on a regular basis, then I guess it is worth at least looking into as an option. (But then you need to buy Mexican car insurance since your American policy doesn't really work in Mexico.)
All pedesitrians have to wait in the same line. There is no line that is just for US citizens.
There is, however, a seperate line for pedestrian SENTRI passholders. (There is one SENTRI pass for automobiles and one for pedestrians. They are not interchangable.)
The pedistrian SENTRI lane is only open a few hours per day. Something like Monday through Friday from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7 pm. It isn't open on weekends or holidays. In constrast, the SENTRI pass for autos is open from something like 5am to midnight and on weekends.
Most evenings the pedestrain crossing after 6:30 to 7:00 pm is short. Usually under 15 minutes. Sundays are the expection; the wait is always long on Sundays.
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