BajaNomad - New Checkpoint

New Checkpoint

yellowklr - 10-13-2011 at 08:42 PM

I was told there is or is about to be a new southbound checkpoint. All I was told it was at an area where there is 6 southbound lanes.
Where is he talking about?????

Paulina - 10-13-2011 at 09:04 PM

Bajatripper - 10-13-2011 at 09:06 PM

Your source is probably referring to the new gates that seem borrowed from a horseracing track, which are just down the road from Maneadero. It wasn't operating when I was through the area a month ago, but looked like it would be at any time. Guess it is now.

BajaBlanca - 10-13-2011 at 09:13 PM

fancy ....

woody with a view - 10-14-2011 at 05:42 AM

it has been there for about a year with no one ever there. prolly another monument to inefficiency.

mulegejim - 10-14-2011 at 05:47 AM

I'll be passing through there Sunday heading to Mulege - I'll post an update. Jim

cj5orion - 10-14-2011 at 06:16 AM

yellwkllr from BD ?

yellowklr - 10-14-2011 at 06:17 AM

ok I remember that one...........I guess in a week I'll see for myself!

I just need to see some good fishing to know where to go!!!!!! :bounce:

bajabass - 10-14-2011 at 06:26 AM

Have a great time buddy. You always seem to find fish!!!

OCEANUS - 10-14-2011 at 07:18 AM

Does anyone know if they will be using this new checkpoint to check for FMT's. I believe the language in the tourist permit mentions that any tourist travel south of Maneadero requires tourists to obtain an FMT.

New checkpoint

bajaguy - 10-14-2011 at 07:52 AM

I read or heard somewhere that the new checkpoint was to inspect commercial vehicles. Probably will also use it for N/B traffic also.

OceanUs - It's now called an FMM......and please get yours as you cross the border. Wouldn't want you to be illegal.

Bajatripper - 10-14-2011 at 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OCEANUS
Does anyone know if they will be using this new checkpoint to check for FMT's. I believe the language in the tourist permit mentions that any tourist travel south of Maneadero requires tourists to obtain an FMT.

Since none of us know yet what will be posted there for certain, it's hard to say. But if it's only the military, they aren't in the illegal allien-catching business, so doubtful they will be checking tourist cards.

bigzaggin - 10-14-2011 at 01:28 PM

That's in Maneadero? It looks closer to Santo Tomas to me. Hopefully, it will replace checkpoint just N of Santo Tomas incline.

bajaguy - 10-14-2011 at 01:50 PM

It's in the canyon between Maneadero and Santo Tomas, just a stones throw from the current checkpoint....and the military can check whatever they want......just because they "usually" don't check for immigration documents, doesn't mean they can't.......remember, this isn't Kansas anymore.

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by bajaguy]

Bajatripper - 10-14-2011 at 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
It's in the canyon between Maneadero and Santo Tomas, just a stones throw from the current checkpoint....and the military can check whatever they want......just because they "usually" don't check for immigration documents, doesn't mean they can't.......remember, this isn't Kansas anymore.

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by bajaguy]

While I won't argue that the military can have their way with us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

BajaRat - 10-14-2011 at 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigzaggin
That's in Maneadero? It looks closer to Santo Tomas to me. Hopefully, it will replace checkpoint just N of Santo Tomas incline.

That ones long gone. Had to make room for the ultimate skateboard down hill run :cool:

yellowklr - 10-14-2011 at 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cj5orion
yellwkllr from BD ?

J.P. - 10-14-2011 at 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper

Quote:

While I won't argue that the military can have their way with us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

In the last 10+ years in Baja the only Place I have ever been checked at Is Gurrero. :yawn:

Mulegena - 10-14-2011 at 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper

Quote:

While I won't argue that the military can have their way with us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

In the last 10+ years in Baja the only Place I have ever been checked at Is Gurrero. :yawn:

The checkpoint going south at Guerrero Negro is an agricultural and Immigration post, not military and the border crossing between Baja Norte and Sur. Its Immigration's purpose to check visa status. The military really doesn't seem interested, could be I suppose, but in practice isn't.

Is this new gatepost a military or immigration point of revision? Anyone know?

bajaguy - 10-14-2011 at 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper
While I won't argue that the military can have their waywith us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

It's not about what has not happened or the last time, it's what could happen the next time

Mulegena - 10-14-2011 at 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper
While I won't argue that the military can have their waywith us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

It's not about what has not happened or the last time, it's what could happen the next time

If the military found reason to detain you they might get around to asking for your credentials, true.

However, its at crossings with an Immigration Station where we might certainly anticipate inspection-- by an immigration officer, not military personnel.

Again, does anyone know the purpose of this new checkpoint? Is it military or immigration?

Bajatripper - 10-14-2011 at 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper
While I won't argue that the military can have their waywith us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

It's not about what has not happened or the last time, it's what could happen the next time

So in other words, you've never had your tourist status checked at a military checkpoint. I didn't think so.

In fourty five years of traveling throughout Mexico, traversing many, many military checkpoints, me either.

Base on that experience, I'm willing to go out on a limb here and say the Mexican military doesn't give a hoot about immigration status, whether I'm from Kansas or not.

David K - 10-15-2011 at 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper
While I won't argue that the military can have their waywith us, if they should choose to do so, when was the last time they checked your tourist status?

It's not about what has not happened or the last time, it's what could happen the next time

Same here... It is not their responsibility and they have no procedure for doing it. Anyway, why worry... none of us go to Baja without proper papers... right???

LaTijereta - 10-15-2011 at 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulegena

Again, does anyone know the purpose of this new checkpoint? Is it military or immigration?

My thoughts would be a southbound Federal Hwy Patrol point to check vehical registrations (similar to one they have had just north at the water park outside Manedero)..

It has been completed now for over 6 months, but maybe hungout there due to "politics" involved :rolleyes:

Will be driving south again on Monday, and will send along any updates...

Pescador - 10-15-2011 at 07:41 AM

It is supposed to be a military checkpoint and the guys who are operating the temporary checkpoint further south told me that they were still waiting for electricity to be hooked up before making it operational. They indicated that it would be set up to handle both North and South bound traffic depending on their "orders from headquarters".

There seems to be some confusion about job descriptions. Military is trying to get a handle on drug traffic and smuggling operations. There instructions come from the government department of the military. They would have to get orders from the government to check immigration papers but that has not happened yet and they would have to be trained in terms of what to look for.

Immigration is the governmental agency involved in immigration and the ones who issue visas and other permits. They do have the authority to have you sent and held in jail if you do not have the proper permits. The office at Guerrero Negro is at the checkpoint but it is not normally manned as far as checking immigration papers. We had a guy who showed up on a motorcycle in Santa Rosalia and he wanted a visa so that he could cross on the ferry. He had not gotten a tourist visa at the border but he needed one to get on the ferry to Guaymas. They told him he had to pay a 500 peso fine since he was there without the proper paperwork. He refused and raised a little hell, but the police had been called and when he went to leave after telling the immigration people what he thought of them, he was detained by the municipal police. He quickly found out that it was cheaper to pay the fine, get his visa, and leave on the ferry, than it was to pay for release of jail, storage of his motorcycle, and assorted other charges.

bajaboolie - 10-16-2011 at 12:54 PM

We drove through on Friday Oct 15th, and it was not yet operational.

Pescador looks right...there is a military checkpoint not far south, so I guessed this is going to take its place.

vandy - 11-8-2011 at 02:34 PM

Still inactive as of Nov 3, but two checkpoints DID give a cursory search on the way south this time.

Bajahowodd - 11-8-2011 at 05:20 PM

"There seems to be some confusion about job descriptions. Military is trying to get a handle on drug traffic and smuggling operations. There instructions come from the government department of the military. They would have to get orders from the government to check immigration papers but that has not happened yet and they would have to be trained in terms of what to look for."

In a way, it is not unlike what happens in the US. Aside from the few states that have gotten their panties in a bunch about illegals, fact is that each branch of government, and each branch of law enforcement has their own specific responsibilities.

Having never been asked about my immigration status at an army checkpoint, I'm fairly certain that they have not been charged with that responsibility.

That said, I cannot totally dismiss the idea, as stated by Bajaguy, that guys with guns can do whatever they want to do.

windgrrl - 11-8-2011 at 07:20 PM

Passed through on the weekend. The sign says it is a military checkpoint. It is not operational and there was a checkpoint just prior to this site.

Marinero - 11-9-2011 at 05:55 AM

Last trip down (mid-October) we were asked for FM's by the military once and for driver's license (driver only) once. The soldier wrote information into a tally sheet and was very professional and civil. Don't remember exactly which checkpoints, but they were mid-penninsula.

mulegejim - 11-9-2011 at 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marinero
Last trip down (mid-October) we were asked for FM's by the military once and for driver's license (driver only) once. The soldier wrote information into a tally sheet and was very professional and civil. Don't remember exactly which checkpoints, but they were mid-penninsula.

I was asked for my passport at several military checkpoints on my last trip to Mulege and back in October. It appeared the reason for asking was to make it easier to enter my name and possibly address into some sheet that was being compiled. Actually let them use the passport a couple of times and my FM-3 a couple of times. Don't believe they were really checking for the documents just trying to make it easier for them to copy whatever information they needed for their report. Jim

Get Ready For A "Solo Sonora" Like Car Permit System

DavidE - 11-9-2011 at 01:45 PM

Life is getting more complicated. The next pres is set to enable the permit system.

rts551 - 11-9-2011 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Life is getting more complicated. The next pres is set to enable the permit system.

Where did you here this?