BajaNomad

San Ignacio Military Checkpoint

bajabound2005 - 2-23-2009 at 08:09 PM

was HELL today. We came southbound from Ensenada. There were maybe 10 vehicles ahead of us....not moving. Everyone was out of their vehicle. It's hot and humid at 4:00 p.m. We wait and wait. Two cars move on and we move up 10 feet. We finally realize they are inspecting every vehicle and every occupant is being removed from the vehicle and "interviewed" by the Ministerial Police. We (and everone else) had to produce photo ID, car registration, be fingerprinted, photographed and all your info info entered into their computer with their one finger typing (so "processing" one person took about 10 minutes). It took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to get through there. They checked VINS, etc. Interesting...and of course, great for tourism.

[Edited on 3-17-2009 by bajabound2005]

woody with a view - 2-23-2009 at 08:18 PM

are you alive? maybe there is a coincidence? you should be glad they are trying SOMETHING.

shari - 2-23-2009 at 08:45 PM

Wow that's weird...do you mean the san ignacio south of Vizcaino? Was this going on at the little police tent just before the military stop? Usually they only search vehicles going north at that checkpoint...must have been looking for someone in particular??? they usually do check registration there though...VIN numbers etc...but never seen fingerprinting before.

ckiefer - 2-23-2009 at 09:45 PM

This have anything to do with the missing person reports?

Baja&Back - 2-23-2009 at 09:59 PM

Feel bad for you. Our caravan got waved right through the other day. Must have been something specific going on right then!

Bajahowodd - 2-24-2009 at 12:20 AM

Never know which side of the bed el commandante gets out on. Last June, we had a similar situation there. In December, nada.

bajabound2005 - 2-24-2009 at 09:26 AM

Yes, San Ignacio south of Vizcaino. They had a special thing set up, a trailer, like one of those mobile offices. Someone said it was because the governer was going to be in San Ignacio last night to open the new stadium...the police set up looked more permanent then for a visit from the guv. By the time we cleared that checkpoint the traffic was backed up for a couple of miles (headed south).

bigmike - 2-24-2009 at 10:49 AM

Why didn't you sic the attack dogs on them!! They would have let you right thru!!!

shari - 2-24-2009 at 10:53 AM

make sure you bring extra beer along cause I heard from the bus depot guy that the delay yesterday was up to 2.5 hours...which totally screws up the bus schedules.

Russ - 2-24-2009 at 11:23 AM

bajabound2005, WOW.. 1hr 10min for ten cars is really bad! They sure could use some experienced barrio boys on the payroll. They could have stripped 10 cars and put them back in factory condition in half that time. I'm not trying to be cute. Holding the economy up like that should be reported to the Tourist Dept. or the Governor.

[Edited on 2-24-2009 by Russ]

rpleger - 2-24-2009 at 11:33 AM

b-tch when they do something...b-tch when they don't...

What makes you happy

DianaT - 2-24-2009 at 03:32 PM

Will be interested to hear more as the days go on if this continues----not fun!

Thanks for the warning

Diane

woody with a view - 2-24-2009 at 03:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rpleger
b-tch when they do something...b-tch when they don't...

What makes you happy


end of discussion......

bajabound2005 - 2-24-2009 at 03:45 PM

Hubby talked to one of police officers today in the store. Officer said it's a permanent situation but they will be moving around. In Baja Norte, he said they would be concentrating on airports.

what's the info for?

elfbrewery - 2-24-2009 at 05:12 PM

We were surprised by the men in white shirts and ties, too. Took an hour to get through. We were in group of four vehicles. What is "weird" about this is each driver got finger printed and photographed, however, the documentation they requested was not presented by most of the drivers. My spouse provided insurance papers, passport, driver's license, registration/title info..., but the other 3 drivers had almost no papers. The men didn't seem to care? Do they have any authority to do otherwise? It all seems so strange and we never received anything to prove we submitted our info. What is all this going to prove?

Bajahowodd - 2-24-2009 at 05:36 PM

Wow! Fingerprinting drivers. Only thing I can say is that the location noted is sort of a pinch point between Pacific and SOC.

fdt - 2-24-2009 at 05:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rpleger
b-tch when they do something...b-tch when they don't...

What makes you happy

It is a shielding program designed by the state of Baja California Sur and it looks to be permanent. It is part of the program known as "Baja California Sur Estado Seguro"
With an initial investment of 70 million pesos these shields will check fingerprints and make digital images of people entering the state by land, sea or air (starting on main entry points/ports) the first half of that ammount was spent on the port of Pichilinge were people arriving to the state have theire prints checked, theire picture taken, and id's are screened to verify wo is entering the state, if they have outstanding warrants in BCS or other states. They check vehicles for theft reports and so on. The San Ignacio shield is the first to go up on land and the next ones will be at airports like La Paz, Loreto and Los Cabos. These shields will be fully staffed with personel from army, marines, PGR, Municipal (in the case of San Ignacio, Mulege) and Federal.
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
It took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to get through there. They checked VINS, etc. Interesting...and of course, great for tourism.


Border waits and having to show documentation thru out the years did not deter tourism from California.
Hey, they might enroll people on a Baja Sentri program soon.:light:



http://www.bcs.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=...

BajaGringo - 2-24-2009 at 06:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rpleger
b-tch when they do something...b-tch when they don't...

What makes you happy


We like what they are doing, only just do it to the OTHER guys....


:lol: :lol: :lol:

shari - 2-24-2009 at 07:54 PM

we kinda have our own style of Sentri...the police who check papers of cars at the san ignacio checkpoint just wave us through cause they know us...so maybe locals who the cops know wont have to stop.

bajaguy - 2-24-2009 at 07:59 PM

Let's get more of these checkpoints set up!!!

fdt - 2-24-2009 at 08:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
...the police who check papers of cars at the san ignacio checkpoint just wave us through cause they know us

I sure hope that is the case with the new staff they set up, without stopping local traffic the waits should be less and also if they set up a shield just for buses and big trucks.

fishbuck - 2-24-2009 at 08:21 PM

If you want to get through there fast just stop in Ensenada and get a fake mexican license plate to cover your Colorado plate. They will think you are a local.

bajabound2005 - 2-24-2009 at 08:23 PM

NO ONE got through this check point...not even a guy on a motorcycle who clearly was not carrying any contraband. EVERYONE in EVERY vehicle was removed from the vehicle, interviewed, had to provide some form of ID, be fingerprinted and photographed. VIN checked, vehicle searched. Adios.

bajaguy - 2-24-2009 at 08:33 PM

The gold card.....don't leave home without it :biggrin:

bajamigo - 2-24-2009 at 08:36 PM

I ran into one of the white shirts in the mercado in SI. I asked him a few questions, and here's the gist of it: this type of interrogation is a new program. It will be mobile, moving among various military checkpoints and airports, including La Paz and Tijuana, which of course is in BCN. It will of course be random, though he did disclose that te next victims will be put upon in Pichilingue (sp?) sometime this week. There are no plans to discontinue the program any time soon---probably not for a long time, as many new "marshalls" have been hired or are in training.

The program is probably a great idea, but once you've been through the process, you'll no doubt conclude, as I did, that it could easily be made exponentially more efficient by the simple expedient of using all the laptops at the inspection station and by teaching these guys how to type using more than one digit.

motoged - 2-24-2009 at 09:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
Quote:
Originally posted by rpleger
b-tch when they do something...b-tch when they don't...

What makes you happy


end of discussion......



REALLY!!!!!

WTF are you others whining about? Thank them for their efforts:saint:

DENNIS - 2-24-2009 at 09:25 PM

They're just doing their job. I read in a very recent Mexican law enforcement bulletin that the intensive body-cavity search will be implemented on roadsides. "A necessary precaution to interdict the importation of automatic weapons from the U.S."
So..If they bend you over at a road-stop and dig around 'till they find a machine gun, you may have a problem.

This is all BULLCRAP. Academy award time. Smoke and Mirrors for their BULLCRAP image. They just want the travelling tourist to take the message home that, "They're on the job for your safety."
They know where the problem is....Go get it. It isn't in my grandmothers purse.

Pure ****** BS.

[Edited on 2-25-2009 by BajaNomad]

BajaGringo - 2-24-2009 at 09:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
They know where the problem is....Go get it. It isn't in my grandmothers purse.

Pure ***in' BS.


Grandma Drug Smuggler



I could make her a nice Avatar...


:lol: :lol: :lol:



[Edited on 2-25-2009 by BajaGringo]

DENNIS - 2-24-2009 at 10:02 PM

Right....And every Italian is Al Capone.

vgabndo - 2-24-2009 at 10:35 PM

BajaGringo...your link above is REALLY "hinkie". It froze me up and I had to go all the way back to my desktop to get rid of the problem. Control/Alt/Delete wouldn't touch it!!!

Diver - 2-24-2009 at 11:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
BajaGringo...your link above is REALLY "hinkie". It froze me up and I had to go all the way back to my desktop to get rid of the problem. Control/Alt/Delete wouldn't touch it!!!


I got a warning as soon as I opened the link.
Had to run some clean-up programs to get rid of it - I hope.

Sharksbaja - 2-24-2009 at 11:32 PM

Isn't there a shortcut around that?:rolleyes:

Hook - 2-25-2009 at 01:14 AM

You know, I think I agree with Dennis on this. It's probably window dressing. Just appearances at making the effort without having to do the tough job of going into the nests and exterminating the vermin.

Wouldn't it be more effective if the various agencies manning their various checkpoints actually had radio communications between them? That doesnt seem to exist.

Still, it is the new reality in Baja. Mandatory fingerprinting by a foreign government. I wonder how secure those files are????

This is gonna turn a lot of the remaining tourists off when they get printed getting off a plane before their Mexico vacation.

I can't imagine it won't eventually make it's way over here to the mainland.

[Edited on 2-25-2009 by Hook]

BajaGringo - 2-25-2009 at 01:54 AM

Not sure why? It opens fine on mine and I have anti-virus/anti-spyware out the yahoo on my PC.

Dennis, I wasn't trying to make a statement - it was just a joke...

DENNIS - 2-25-2009 at 06:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Dennis, I wasn't trying to make a statement - it was just a joke...


Sorry Ron. Kinda touchy last night.

DENNIS - 2-25-2009 at 06:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Pure ****** BS.

[Edited on 2-25-2009 by BajaNomad]



OOOPS....Sorry about that one, Doug.

ELINVESTIG8R - 2-25-2009 at 06:54 AM

Russ - 2-25-2009 at 07:34 AM

I believe like Dennis. That is a whole lot of man power to do a check the normal check points could do. Granted more training of the resources already in place would probably help. But IMHO the man power could be better used in high crime areas. Like the local police stations. Anyone with a FM-2 or better has done the dance already but I didn't read anything about checking those. As always things change. I remember when there were a lot more military stops. My record heading south is 13 stops. That should equal the hour and a half wait of the one today. This is just one more thing I'll put in my "be patient" file. Good luck & good humor everyone.

shari - 2-25-2009 at 07:44 AM

yesterday some folks that came in from south on the bus reported that they checked the bags and everyone had to get off the bus but they didnt fingerprint or interview anyone....just looked at luggage.

Ya never know...ya gotta watch those grandmas...once on a mexican bus at the old checkpoint in GN the only people that were ordered off the bus were 2 nuns in full habit...they kinda turned white and did not get back on the bus....hmmmm.

Phil S - 2-25-2009 at 07:59 AM

This must be "freaking out" those that have "something" to hide!!!!!
Warrants, runaways, carrying drugs *(hidden) guns, etc. Good. glad to see this happening. About time. Yes an inconvenience, but one more step towards getting Baja back to the people!!!!

Fred - 2-25-2009 at 09:14 AM

Wait till one of them steals the files and sells them to a hacker. There goes your id.

Paulina - 2-25-2009 at 09:16 AM

If they didn't give you any documentation to prove you've been through the process, then what happens next time you pull up to one of these checkpoints?

I can see it now, a very long wait in your vehicle until it's your turn. Tell them you've already been through the process. They won't believe you. The questions start all over again until hopefully your name, photo, fingerprints, etc. pull up on the screen. Then you're let go, but lost good daylight driving time.

Then on your way back you run into another and it starts all over again.

Did they have outhouses set up?

P<*)))>{

elfbrewery - 2-25-2009 at 04:45 PM

Exactly!

DENNIS - 2-25-2009 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elfbrewery
Exactly!



Exactly.

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2009 at 05:55 PM

Outhouses!

AcuDoc - 2-25-2009 at 10:09 PM

Does this tie into the US system? What if you have a warrant in the US? I know that you are checked for US warrants when they run your plates at the border. That could really complicate things even more. Or is this just for Mexico warrants? It sure seems like an awful amount of man power and effort. I wonder how much it is really going to pay off.

elfbrewery - 2-26-2009 at 12:11 PM

Yes, we all wonder how much good it will do...
But we can hope it's a case of Baja Sur trying to separate themselves from the drug problems of Norte and the mainland.

Oh, there may be outhouses, I think, by the store behind the gate on the right. At least I saw a gringo wander back there probably for that purpose. (This could be more useless information as well.)

DENNIS - 2-26-2009 at 12:17 PM

Outhouses in Baja? Whatever happened to the GPS in the mind that said, "Over there behind that big rock." What's next? Pay toilets?

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by DENNIS]

Paulina - 2-26-2009 at 12:41 PM

Dennis,

I was thinking that if I were waiting in a long line with everyone else just as bored as I am, and the urge should hit and it's going to be quite awhile till we can pull off and take care of the calling, it would be nice to have a private hole in the ground vs. showing everyone else in line just how I do it.

P<*)))>{

edit: re pay toilets, I've been in a few bathrooms in baja only to find out that the toilet paper has been held ransom. If you have to pay for paper, then I'd call it a pay toilet.

I think they charge at La Buff too.

[Edited on 26-2-2009 by Paulina]

fdt - 2-26-2009 at 12:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AcuDoc
Does this tie into the US system? What if you have a warrant in the US?

The latest list of 11 Baja California's most wanted has 6 individuals that are mexican and 5 that are from the US and are believed to have hidden in México

http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/26022...

http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/news/chron/2008/012708a.htm

bajaguy - 2-26-2009 at 02:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AcuDoc
Does this tie into the US system? What if you have a warrant in the US? I know that you are checked for US warrants when they run your plates at the border. That could really complicate things even more. Or is this just for Mexico warrants? It sure seems like an awful amount of man power and effort. I wonder how much it is really going to pay off.





Does this tie into the US system?
...............no, there is no direct link between NCIC and any Mexico agencies.

What if you have a warrant in the US?
.........what if you do??????

I know that you are checked for US warrants when they run your plates at the border.
..........not completely correct. The system checks for stolen vehicles, customs/immigration watches, NCIC felony extraditable warrants and INTERPOL notices

Misdemeanor warrants (and/or felony warrants when the entering agency will not extradite) are not entered into NCIC.

edited for spelling

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by bajaguy]

fdt - 2-26-2009 at 03:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
What if you have a warrant in the US?
.........what if you do??????


:light: Can someone with warrants in the US please go to San Ignacio and report back?

DianaT - 2-26-2009 at 03:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
yesterday some folks that came in from south on the bus reported that they checked the bags and everyone had to get off the bus but they didnt fingerprint or interview anyone....just looked at luggage.



They have been doing that on the mainland for years. Can't think of a long bus trip we have taken on the mainland where we were not stopped and had to get off the bus while they checked luggage, etc.

Surprised they are just starting it here.

FDT---we may head to San Ignacio next week, so we check and see if the checkpoint is still active, but sorry, we have not outstanding warrants in the US so can't test that. :lol::lol:

Diane

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by jdtrotter]

bajaguy - 2-26-2009 at 03:59 PM

Diane, See if you can get some photos

Barry A. - 2-26-2009 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
yesterday some folks that came in from south on the bus reported that they checked the bags and everyone had to get off the bus but they didnt fingerprint or interview anyone....just looked at luggage.




-------- but sorry, we have not outstanding warrants in the US :lol::lol:

Diane

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by jdtrotter]


--------that's not what I heard. :lol:

Barry

LaRibereña - 2-26-2009 at 04:03 PM

Yup, we were in that cluster... One hours twenty minutes. Folks were not happy. My husband was fuming. No one came to tell us what was going on. People were out of their cars. The military was doing just what they do - a quick check of the interior. It was the Policia Ministerial that were trying to get a handle on what they were trying to do with their little laptops and not managing well at all. They wanted to know if my husband was retired (yes), what he had done when working (SFPD), was he married. Took his photo and fingerprint. They told me to stay in the car. I think there were a LOT more vehicles than they had expected. I can't imagine that this info they gathered will go anywhere except the ether, but they did their duty. Bienvenidos a Mexico!

DianaT - 2-26-2009 at 04:07 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.




-------- but sorry, we have not outstanding warrants in the US :lol::lol:

Diane

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by jdtrotter]


--------that's not what I heard. :lol:

Barry


Hey, you never said you worked for the IRS---or was it parking enforcement, or----OK, will a little mordida help. :lol:

Barry A. - 2-26-2009 at 04:12 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.




-------- but sorry, we have not outstanding warrants in the US :lol::lol:

Diane

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by jdtrotter]


--------that's not what I heard. :lol:

Barry


Hey,----OK, will a little mordida help. :lol:


Hmmmmmmmmm------try me---------I have never been on the "receiving end"--------I might grow to like it. :biggrin:

Barry

AcuDoc - 2-26-2009 at 07:25 PM

bajaguy
Thanks for clarification.

I just thought it might make a bucket of worms worse and the lines even longer then they seem to be.

Years ago I got stopped at a pullout along Bahia Concepcion. I was north bound and they were pulling over everyone. It was the most through search I've every had.

Another time a buddy and I saw a handful of soldiers on top of a semi with axes chopping the hell out of the roof.

bajaguy - 2-26-2009 at 09:16 PM

It would be interesting to know what they do with the data...use a modem to access DSL and download to a data base or download to onboard storage/CD????. How will they share info between checkpoints????

Would also be interesting to know if they do a search function in the data base looking for someone before they enter that person in the data base....or you could enter the same person a gazillion times and never know it..........

Oh well, it's Mexico.....think I'll have another Pacifico

DENNIS - 2-26-2009 at 09:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy

Oh well, it's Mexico.....think I'll have another Pacifico


And another....and

fdt - 2-26-2009 at 10:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
How will they share info between checkpoints????


There is only one of this nature at this time by land. Another was set up for sea arrivals in Pichilingue and the others will be at airports.

fdt - 2-26-2009 at 10:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
If they didn't give you any documentation to prove you've been through the process, then what happens next time you pull up to one of these checkpoints?



Like everytime one crosses the border to the US, for years and years?

Bajahowodd - 2-27-2009 at 12:44 AM

Let me know when the back up is long enough to make the road to Abreojos, and then South a real alternative.:P

fdt - 2-27-2009 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
What if you have a warrant in the US?
.........what if you do??????


:light: Can someone with warrants in the US please go to San Ignacio and report back?


http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36909

I guess he won't be giving us a trip report.

Pacifico - 2-28-2009 at 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Let me know when the back up is long enough to make the road to Abreojos, and then South a real alternative.:P


I have an offroad trip coming up and was wondering if it is possible to stay on dirt all the way from the Abreojos Road into San Ignacio through the road that appears to head southwest out of San Ignacio. It appears it can be done according to the Baja Almanac (page 32). Has anyone done this route?:?::?::?:

David K - 2-28-2009 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifico
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Let me know when the back up is long enough to make the road to Abreojos, and then South a real alternative.:P


I have an offroad trip coming up and was wondering if it is possible to stay on dirt all the way from the Abreojos Road into San Ignacio through the road that appears to head southwest out of San Ignacio. It appears it can be done according to the Baja Almanac (page 32). Has anyone done this route?:?::?::?:







I recall seeing the road from Rancho San Angel meeting the new paved Abreojos road, less than 10 miles south from Hwy. 1...

[Edited on 2-28-2009 by David K]

David K - 2-28-2009 at 11:29 AM

Hard to make out on the full size page, but San Angel is near the top of the salt flat and the road continues WNW to 'El Rodeo' area on the map... (I removed the two topo map images, as they were not clear).

Have you searched 'San Angel' on Nomad? Here's one: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=33212



[Edited on 2-28-2009 by David K]

Pacifico - 2-28-2009 at 01:00 PM

David, that all looks good in the almanac from Vizcaino to the Abreojos Road, and then on through San Angel - very doable. I'm wondering about from San Angel into San Ignacio from the southwest. On Google Earth it looks like the road goes right up the canyon, but I'm not sure if there are any major water crossings, etc. I feel an adventure coming on!!!

Bajahowodd - 2-28-2009 at 01:56 PM

Would love to get that trip report.

Paulina - 2-28-2009 at 02:28 PM

I can see a new guide to Nomad Short Cuts in David's near future...

Where's the list?

Dave - 2-28-2009 at 02:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
The latest list of 11 Baja California's most wanted has 6 individuals that are mexican and 5 that are from the US and are believed to have hidden in México

fdt - 2-28-2009 at 02:52 PM

There are more but this is the list of the 11 most wanted. Now down to 10.
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/26022...

Bajahowodd - 2-28-2009 at 03:22 PM

Isn't that Fishbuck top row on the right?:biggrin:

fdt - 2-28-2009 at 03:36 PM

:lol::lol::lol:

Hook - 2-28-2009 at 04:38 PM

Still hoping this thread reverts back to some reports from the checkpoint. Still going strong? Same wait times?

ELINVESTIG8R - 2-28-2009 at 05:37 PM

Why is there so much Fishbuck bashing lately? Am I missing something here?

jeffg - 3-1-2009 at 04:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Still hoping this thread reverts back to some reports from the checkpoint. Still going strong? Same wait times?


We came through the San Ignacio checkpoint headed NORTH yesterday (Saturday) around 9-10AM. There were maybe 5-6 cars waiting on the southbound side. We were checked pretty quickly, but by the time we left there a dozen or more cars and RV's waiting on the other side. It looked like they were still processing the same car when we left, so I'd guess the wait time to be around an hour at that time.

Hopefully people will keep reporting on the time there. This will be a wild card in trying to plan a day's drive. As the day's get longer we like to get to Sta Rosalia or Mulege before sundown, but a 2 hour delay at San Ignacio will make that tough!

Jeff

Bajahowodd - 3-1-2009 at 04:54 PM

No kidding. We do really need to keep this issue up front. Taking a couple of hours to sit in line, really can alter plans. Thanks for the update, Jeff.

DianaT - 3-1-2009 at 04:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
No kidding. We do really need to keep this issue up front. Taking a couple of hours to sit in line, really can alter plans. Thanks for the update, Jeff.


Will probably head that direction tomorrow and will give an update as soon as I am online again----sure hope it is gone, but if not, oh well---maybe they won't mind if I take pictures. :lol::lol:

Then again, I do hesitate to upset anyone who is carrying a rifle or machine gun.

[Edited on 3-1-2009 by jdtrotter]

bajabound2005 - 3-1-2009 at 07:10 PM

We went through San Ignacio northbound yesterday and they were still doing the interview/photo/fingerprint on southbound....with a complete desk set up for NORTH bound but no one at it...I mean 4 stations with all the computer cables run to each station.

On another note, we just drove from Loreto back to Ensenada (Punta Banda, really)...at each military checkpoint, both north and southbound traffic -- everyone out of the car for a vehicle inspection...pretty cursory in our case but still a PIA in the heat. The only exception was southbound at the checkpoint between Maneadero and Santo Tomas...we got to the point of just leaving our 3 dogs in the car. "Do they bite?". No. The military guys were cool with it, petting them and asking their names.

Some checkpoints were far more efficient than others, setting up several stations to move vehicles through. It adds time to the trip, but with the peso:USD rate you can get some GREAT buys, so Visit Baja soon!

We'll get around to a full trip report...let's just say we're glad to be back in Punta Banda with our US bought toilet paper!

EnseNADAslim - 3-2-2009 at 01:37 PM

Heya Bajabound,
Did you guys get stuck at that accident on the mountain road south of Santo Thomas?
We made the drive up from GN, so we missed all that San Ign. stuff, I felt as if all the other check points ran as normal, but to hear of the southbound Check Points taking so long is kind of weird.

Hook - 3-2-2009 at 03:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
We went through San Ignacio northbound yesterday and they were still doing the interview/photo/fingerprint on southbound....with a complete desk set up for NORTH bound but no one at it...I mean 4 stations with all the computer cables run to each station.

On another note, we just drove from Loreto back to Ensenada (Punta Banda, really)...at each military checkpoint, both north and southbound traffic -- everyone out of the car for a vehicle inspection...pretty cursory in our case but still a PIA in the heat. The only exception was southbound at the checkpoint between Maneadero and Santo Tomas...we got to the point of just leaving our 3 dogs in the car. "Do they bite?". No. The military guys were cool with it, petting them and asking their names.

Some checkpoints were far more efficient than others, setting up several stations to move vehicles through. It adds time to the trip, but with the peso:USD rate you can get some GREAT buys, so Visit Baja soon!

We'll get around to a full trip report...let's just say we're glad to be back in Punta Banda with our US bought toilet paper!


Bajabound, in Mexico, happiness is spelled C-O-T-T-O-N-E-L-L-E. We're finding it over here. :P

DianaT - 3-4-2009 at 04:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
We went through San Ignacio northbound yesterday and they were still doing the interview/photo/fingerprint on southbound....with a complete desk set up for NORTH bound but no one at it...I mean 4 stations with all the computer cables run to each station.



We just crossed through that check point 3/2/09-- Monday headed south. They were all set up -- table, computer, etc., but it appeared that they are doing more profiling and not inspectiing everyone.

There were two cars ahead of us and they were being inspected throughly. A man in a white shirt looked quickly at our license plate and the nice army young man asked us the usual---where were we coming from and where were we going.

We told him we lived in Bahia Asuncion and were going to San Iganacio for a day or two. He asked to peek into the back of the truck---very quick look, never asked for any documents and just smiled and waved us on.

The other two cars were stilled being inspected. On the way north, they did not even stop us to ask any questions.

So, it seems like that maybe they are being more selective and I guess we don't look like a threat---even after our little Maggie Mae growled at the nice man. :lol:

Diane

Pescador - 3-12-2009 at 06:39 PM

The southbound inspection is manned and operated by the Federal Police and the northbound is operated by the army. Two entirely different operations that just happened to use a common area.

bajabound2005 - 3-12-2009 at 06:49 PM

Actually, southbound was Ministerial Police...are they Federal?

And for Ensenada Slim - No, we didnt get stuck by any car accidents, just held up at every checkpoint from Loreto to Ensenada -- out of the car, they do their cursory look through; we even stopped taking the (3) dogs out of the car when we had to get out.

[Edited on 3-13-2009 by bajabound2005]

BCSTech - 3-15-2009 at 02:13 PM

Are there any updates on this since March 2nd? We're heading through there on Tuesday March 17.

Marla Daily - 3-15-2009 at 05:08 PM

We drove north from Loreto on March 11 + March 12. My husband had to get out at each checkpoint and open the back of the camper. I stayed put in the truck cab with the dogs and was never asked to get out. We did get pulled into secondary (Ag inspection) at the Tecate crossing and were asked about dog food. No problem. And there was not a single car at the Tecate crossing ahead of us at 6:00 PM Thursday evening!

We did meet one couple from Oregon in Cataviña who told us they were not allowed to cross in to Mexico without registration for their quad they had on board. The guy drove to the San Diego airport, flew back to Oregon to get the quad registration, flew back to San Diego and crossed into Tijuana the following day. Quite an expensive mistake for him!

DianaT - 3-15-2009 at 05:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
The southbound inspection is manned and operated by the Federal Police and the northbound is operated by the army. Two entirely different operations that just happened to use a common area.


However, when we went through going south on March 4, the army was assisting the police. It was the army that questioned us briefly, peeked in the back and waived us on---past the two cars being inspected.

BCSTech - 3-15-2009 at 05:22 PM

Just to confirm, are they checking for Mexican auto insurance?

Bajahowodd - 3-15-2009 at 05:23 PM

Good to see consistency. :lol:

Baja&Back - 3-16-2009 at 09:45 PM

Monday the 16th: closed up tighter than a drum. Tent was duct taped shut. Course, it's Benito Juarez Day today.
Army waved us thru.

Tomatal checkpoint, north of Guerrero Negro, was being run by a bozo who slowly inspected all 12 rigs in one long line, even tho there were 3 lines available.

Most efficient & professional checkpoint so far has been north of La Paz. Kudos to them.

Will report on the last 2 checkpoints northbound tomorrow, if anybody wants.

Bajahowodd - 3-16-2009 at 11:07 PM

Moral to the story, don't travel on holidays?

bajabound2005 - 3-17-2009 at 07:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BCSTech
Just to confirm, are they checking for Mexican auto insurance?


No.

UPDATE

DianaT - 3-17-2009 at 03:13 PM

3/17/09

Went through the San Ignacio stop going south yesterday. Five minutes. Two cars in front of us. Talked with the nice army man and then a vey nice lady---uniform, blue pants, white shirt, no weapons---checked our VIN number through the dirty windshield, looked at our registration, radioed the number to the man at the computer, smiled and waved us on.

Never got out. But they were inspecting the car in front of us---so guess we just look so very innocent. :lol::lol:, or just too old to cause trouble.

Diane

[Edited on 3-17-2009 by jdtrotter]