Faster Border Crossings with New Passport Card
The new Passport Cards (NOT SENTRI) are available to order now (try the Post Office in the Passport Department) and the scanning equipment is already installed at the San Ysidro and Otay Borders.
In each of the Border lanes there are card reading scanners just like in the SENTRI lanes now. Those having the Passport Card can then hold the card to the scanner which is then transposed to the computer in the inspector's booth so that when reaching the booth, the information is on the inspector's screen. This will speed the border crossing by 30 to 40 percent. This by itself is huge, but in addition the double stacking inspection lanes wherein two cars can be processed at one time will also cut waiting times by around 40 to 45 percent. DOUBLE INSPECTION BOOTHS means the Border just DOUBLED their inspection process from the 23 lanes to now 46 lanes (effectively) without major construction! The combination of the cards and double booths, will cut the amount of time waiting to 60 or 70 percent of the current wait times! A 2 hour wait can be reduced to 45 minutes or less!
The Passport card is $45.00 for ages 16 & older, $35.00 for ages under 16 and under and $20.00 if you order the Passport Card with a new Passport or Passport Renewal. The Passport card is not good for all travel destinations.
This is a step in the right direction. Check it out.....at http://www.getyouhome.gov/ http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/rfid/rfid_how_to.html
It's always a pleasure to bring you GOOD NEWS! Good News is in short supply these days! On another note.....some more good news..... the Military & State Police seems to have already had positive results for our area.