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Written by Border Scope | Imperial Valley News
Monday, 02 July 2012 11:44

Tecate, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch a pilot Ready Lane program at the Tecate Port of Entry for travelers entering the country in vehicles.

The pilot is a test to see if opening a Ready Lane will be an effective way to manage traffic at the port of entry.

Starting July 1, and ending Aug. 26, CBP will operate a Ready Lane on Sundays from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Currently on the weekends, CBP officials at the Tecate Port of Entry already use the commercial facility to process general traffic when volume dictates, allowing them to expand from two traffic lanes and inspection booths to up to four traffic lanes and inspection booths.

During the pilot testing period, CBP officials will continue to use the commercial facility in this manner, and will use the far left lane as you approach the border crossing from Mexico for Ready Lane traffic.

Travelers are eligible to use the Ready Lane if they have a travel document enabled with Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, technology. In order to use the Ready Lane, all adult passengers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must present an approved travel card. The U.S. Passport Card, SENTRI card, the new Legal Permanent Resident “green card” and the new Border Crossing Card are all RFID-enabled documents.

CBP officials have been coordinating with officials from Tecate, Mexico, to prepare for this pilot program. The coordination from Mexican officials was essential in establishing an approach in Mexico for the Ready Lane.

When approaching the Tecate border crossing in Mexico following typical travel patterns, travelers will see signs for Ready Lane access about a third of a mile from the port of entry, and should have their RFID-enabled travel documents available in order to enter the Ready Lane approach lanes in Mexico.

source...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Starting July 1, and ending Aug. 26, CBP will operate a Ready Lane on Sundays from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.

I hope nobody misses the part about this being a "Sunday ONLY" program...

Tecate is by far the best crossing. On the map it looks like it's in the middle of nowhere. But my Mexican friend down here told me to take the winery route to Tecate from Ensenada when I crossed to the states. It's a bit longer drive but it's a beautiful drive. My wait in the middle of the day was only 25 minutes at the border. But most of all I noticed that the border patrol is much friendlier. At San Ysidro they just have an attitude, especially the snarling cops with the drug dogs.

At Tecate I got a smile and a friendly comment from the gal at the checkpoint. As far as I'm concerned that's the only way to go. Once you're across you take 94 north a bit and then turn left to go straight into Chula Vista if you have business in San Diego.

On the day after Christmas I was in line at San Ysidro for four and a half hours. I'm simply never going that way again. South at S.Y. is fine but north, forget it. I truly feel bad for all the people in San Diego and TJ who commute across that border every day. I wish the governments in DC and DF would get a clue.

Originally Posted by TacosDePescado

On the day after Christmas I was in line at San Ysidro for four and a half hours.

Sunday before Christmas, I was in line at Tecate for 3 hours-15 minutes.

Avoid all the northbound crossing hassles and get into the SENTRI program