Why truck waits and passenger waits tell different stories

Commercial lanes respond to inspections, freight schedules, staffing, and approach queues differently than passenger lanes.

A passenger wait page should not be used as a freight forecast. Trucks move through different facilities, documentation checks, and loading schedules.

Otay Mesa, Laredo, Pharr, and other commercial crossings can show volume pressure even when passenger lanes look manageable.

For local businesses, this matters because restaurants, parking, hotels, insurance, and repair services often serve different traveler groups at different hours.

When comparing sources, keep BTS volume history separate from current lane waits. Volume is useful context, not a lane-by-lane wait measurement.