Arriving later than usual at Mexicali's Garita Oriente and encountering a longer than usual line, After a 45-minute wait yesterday afternoon, I
commented to mi esposa "Well, that wasn't as long as I'd expected".
HAH !
As it turned out, it would have been better if a "little" while longer.
As we headed for the exit through the concrete barriers, there was a trooper who directed us Left into the Secondary where we joined a line of (maybe)
a dozen vehicles. We turned out to be the last of the chosen. Ordered out along with our dogs, the Big XRay Eye did its laborious round-trip with no
hits.
As usual, the Customs people were business-like, authoritarian and mildly unpleasant. I've always wondered WHY they feel obligated to treat everyone
as though they're potential criminals, but customer service isn't a consideration when you've got the guns.
While waiting, my wife said "I'm going to take the dogs for a walk" and proceeded to wander off. As she did, I called to her "be careful you don't
get shot".
At which point, one of the Barney Fifes trotted over and said "WHAT was that ?" I explained it was an inside joke from years before when we were sent
to secondary and there were crime-scene chalk marks all over the place, including a Body outline which I had commented on. "Boy, that guy must have
been WAY over the One-Liter limit". Turned out they had been filming an instructional video. How to deal with Smart-Ass tourists ?
The mood got lighter when another of the F Troop said "I think I saw that video".
We drove away having once more survived the most disagreeable part of every trip to Mexico.
Till next time.BajaGringo - 4-21-2010 at 12:09 PM
bajalera - 4-21-2010 at 12:11 PM
What a pity, that such a sweet, lovable man should be subjected to the
treatment given smart-asses who don't know when to keep their mouths shut.DENNIS - 4-21-2010 at 12:12 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
My Border experiences are now Complete.
Then, I guess you've been X-RAYED from the inside out. I hear that stings a little.
XRayed from the Inside OUT ?
MrBillM - 4-21-2010 at 12:30 PM
You Hear ?
Is that a part of the Border experience ?
Have you talked to anyone that had THAT happen ?
As far as "Sweet, Lovable Me" goes, ayer was a breeze since I wasn't singled out for any unique treatment. Equal disrespect for us all, although my
"Shot" comment might have caused things to go awry. I thought it was odd that esposa wandered all the way to the opposite side of the building
without any official challenge. They were probably more concerned that the Dogs would do what comes naturally right there. Dogs show little
respect for authority in that sense.
I reached my peak years ago in "Border Repartee" when my Late-Night (and alcohol-influenced) "Stinging Wit" resulted in EVERYTHING being emptied from
my truck, confiscation of the tape from my Video Cam rather than simply having me erase it and detention inside while they "supposedly" ran my ID
through all of their Law-Enforcement databases. The Officer said (with a smile) that they needed to make sure I wasn't a "wanted" person. Yeah.
Their point was well-taken and I've mostly curbed my verbal fencing since then.capt. mike - 4-21-2010 at 12:57 PM
don't feel so bad... now they are doing nuclear sweeps for planes when you arr at GA customs ports.
they ask you to step away from the device - i guess they don't want you to get cooked.
i told them my nukes were fine but they were welcome to check them anyway...monoloco - 4-21-2010 at 01:39 PM
They seem to take a joke better on the Mexican side of the border. The last trip down my wife was paying our custom duty at the bank while I was
chatting with the customs inspector, when the alarm at the bank went off, I said," oh no, my wife must be robbing the bank", he just laughed and
said," no it's okay, they're just working on the alarm".tripledigitken - 4-21-2010 at 02:16 PM
Mike,
They sweep for nukes at San Ysidro too! Also, the new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility in Tecate scans for radiation as well.
Ken
[Edited on 4-21-2010 by tripledigitken]durrelllrobert - 4-22-2010 at 09:06 AM
When the CBP guy asked me where I was going and I replied "to secondary", he said "the hell you are. just get out of here". Sometimes when they are
contrary it's a good thing.Hook - 4-22-2010 at 09:15 AM
There is random baggage X-Raying now going on at a newish checkpoint NORTHBOUND along Mex 15 in Sonora. It is about 100 miles south of the border. We
have had it done twice. You take your bags inside a small oficina and put in on a conveyer, a la an airport. Things are tightening up.
I am wondering about latent radiation in my clean undies?
