That's My Story

PHOTO 2: The planes fly from Tijuana, but they’ll pick you up in modern shuttles from San Diego and scoot you right to the terminal.

Over the many years, I’ve been hosting anglers down here in Baja, we’ve had our ups and downs with the airlines (no pun intended). I had often heard from many of our friends and clients living in Southern California and especially the San Diego area that they really loved taking the flights out of Tijuana to destinations south.

Whenever that rose in a discussion, it was usually met with a raised eyebrow and a polite smile. Why go through Tijuana? You mean THAT Tijuana as in “over-the-border-Tijuana?” Uh, no thanks.

I’ll admit it myself that there was a nagging perception that I was just asking for trouble going through Tijuana. I wasn’t worried about the airport, but I know many people do have misconceptions about Mexican airports.

Moreover, they are absolutely terrified however of driving through Tijuana, especially given some of the news reports emanating from the border cities. Not speaking Spanish or being able to read signs doesn’t help either.

Personally, I just didn’t want the hassle of navigating not only the border but indeed just wrangling my Gilligan-driving-skills through Tijuana.

I get crazy enough thinking I’m late for a plane at LAX let alone getting in line at a slow border crossing; going round-and-round some plaza in Tijuana with no stop lights; or getting lost and finding myself driving down some one-way street with no name.

This from a guy who is generally very comfortable driving in Mexico and speaks a modicum of Spanish. But why add more stress to a travel day?

Well, times have changed. During the holidays, I had to jet back and forth several times between our place in La Paz and visiting the family in S.California. Airline tickets being what they are, I had heard some good reports of a new airline flying out of Tijuana called Volaris.

I don’t want this to be an info-mercial for them, but the experience was incredible. They have done a lot to alleviate many of the concerns gringos have about flying from Tijuana and flying Mexican airlines.

For one, forget the border problems! Volaris had a special shuttle that picks you up from the San Diego train station. A special Volaris booth there in the station sells the ticket for 15 bucks. I quickly boarded a modern shuttle bus like the type they use to bring you to your parking structure at LAX.

Indeed half the people aboard were Americans. Many were repeat users and all said it was the best secret around. Several aboard had taken the train for 17 dollars from Los Angeles to San Diego and said they lounged happily along the way and watched traffic inch along the 405 freeway, next to the tracks. Neener! Neener!

In 30 minutes, we were there at the Tijuana Airport. We spent 5 minutes at the border while someone checked the bus. At the airport, numerous porters (speaking English) clamored to carry your bags and then stood in line with you to check-in at Volaris’ counter.

Because this is a domestic flight, it’s a little more lenient on the security check-in too.

The planes themselves were incredible. This is a brand-new airline using new giant air bus planes. I’m told that after only a few months, Volaris is already the third largest airline in Mexico.

Six seats across. Huge storage bins overhead. Leather seats with lots of legroom.
There were TV’s to watch and each seat had a plug-in connection for using your laptop or other electronic device. Cart service included snacks plus a full-array of beverages.

The flight back to the U.S. was just as smooth. As you exit the Tijuana terminal, again, there’s a shuttle waiting to take you back to the San Diego train station. The only glitch, if you will, is when crossing back into the U.S

When you hit the border there’s a security check. All passengers must disembark while the shuttle bus is checked. Additionally, all passengers go through the regular checking of documents and the X-ray machine.

It took 10 minutes. We then walked about 20 yards outside the building and re-boarded the bus. Twenty minutes later, I was dropped off back at the San Diego train station.

Other than the slight inconvenience at the border coming into the U.S. which is to be expected, this was seamless. All this took place during holiday rush as well. No worries about parking. No driving through the border. No getting lost in Tijuana.

And Volaris cost about half of what it would have cost to fly round trip from Los Angeles!

That’s my story!

Jonathan