Comments on: U.S. / Mexico Border Wait Times

By: Jozsef

Jozsef — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:21:58 +0000

I’m a young college student, barely becoming independent. I moved from my parents’ house about a year ago and tried renting by myself at first then with roommates. What I discovered was an insanely expensive housing market that a minimum wage worker such as myself can simply not afford. I moved to Tijuana about 6 months ago because it seemed like the most economical thing to do in times like these. It turns out that I was right; the expenses in Tijuana are drastically lower compared to prices in San Diego but like many other people who have taken this route of action I have traded a few more hours of sleep for afordability of the apartment that I am renting. Yes, I do wait 2 - 3 hours to cross the border so I can make it to school and work on time and yes, it can be a major hassle, however, I like to keep in mind that I’m waiting every morning so I can have a better day tomorrow. I don’t know how long I will have to do this but I am certainly patient enough to wait.

By: Jorge

Jorge — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:10:11 +0000

I just moved to Tijuana, because the cost of living in San Diego is too high. I cannot afford to pay he high prices in San Diego. My cost for not paying the financial part is time. It took me 2 hours to cross the border today. I started at 5:30 am and crossed at 7:45 am. Just like me there are thousand of people who are moving to Tijuana, because they cannot afford living in San Diego. It is not because we don’t want to it is a matter of survival. I also don’t get home until past 6:00 pm. I don’t know how long I would be willing to do this. I either need to get a beter job or move back to the U.S. and be poor.

By: Nemo

Nemo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:28:37 +0000

I have crossed from the Texas side at McAllen into Mexico three times. The shortest wait was two and a half hours the longest four. So the problem is not just on the US side. I am personally finding world travel to become more and more of a hassle each time I have to cross a border. And it is not just because of 9-11, this has even been the case in small African nations where just ten years ago I would pass through with ease. This time on returning to the States I felt like I was walking into Nazi Germany; O the questions I was asked… where was the old “Welcome home!” which they use to greet me with. I really use to look forward to that.

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:59:02 +0000

Get a motor scooter or cycle then you can go between the lines as they do in California.

By: Scott Barnet

Scott Barnet — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:05:49 +0000

wow…I surely thought someone would comment on the comment I made about yourtopic. hmmm.

By: Scott Barnet

Scott Barnet — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:29:57 +0000

I have been sitting in the “line” for the last seven years. Yes, it sucks. But its a border town of two nations. In fact, the busiest border crossing or “port of entry” in the world. No different than any other border of two nations linked. Just alot larger scale. I sit in the regular line. I don’t have a SENTRI permit. I chose to live in Tijuana. For those who choose to do so, or choose to come across and shop or whatever, deal with it. For those who are Mexican nationals, there are choices to make and scarifices to make.

By: Barb

Barb — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:19:38 +0000

I have not even thought about this problem. It is hard to believe that people have to wait that long at the border every morning. Does he drive across the border? I have waited two and a half hours to return to the US on a Saturday night. It is insane. I can’t imagine having to do it every day to go to work.

What would you do to speed up the process? You would think they would get a special lane or two, kind of like a carpool lane only a US laborer lane and have a special sticker or scanner or something to allow quicker passage. The problem would be the element of control of illegal things or persons trying to take advantage of these special permits.

This is a difficult problem.