GC
Junior Nomad
Posts: 70
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Thank You, US Customs, Immigration and Border Patrol
I just had a very positive experience with US Customs and Border Patrol personnel. We were headed North from our home in Punta Banda to join some
friends for a camping/fishing trip in Washington and Oregon in our motor home and decided to cross at Tecate. As we were pulling up to the inspection
booth, our transmission failed. Fluid was pouring out and there was so much smoke that we appeared to be on fire. The motor home ended up between
the booth and Secondary where it would not move any further. Luckily, cars could pass behind us and get around us, so we were not blocking the
border, but we were affecting their operation. It was several hours before the tow truck could get there and pull the motor home away from the border
and then on to the Ford dealer in El Cajon.
During this ordeal, all of the Customs, Immigration, and Border Patrol people could not have been more understanding or helpful. Finally away from
the border, we were on our way to meet the tow truck when we stopped at the Border Patrol check point on Hwy 94. We were surprized when they asked us
if we were with a motor home and did we have our check book? We thought we did, but when we looked around our car we realized that we were missing a
bag that had check books, a wallet with money, and several other things in it. We had left it in the waiting area of Secondary, and when they found
it they called ahead to the check point. We turned around, and drove back to the border. After checking my ID, they gave me the bag and everything
was still there.
Needless to say, that was a day that we never want to repeat, but it could have been a lot worse. A big Thank You to our US Customs, Immigration and
Border Patrol personnel at Tecate, they went beyond the call of duty to help us.
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Nice to hear!
We were sent to secondary inspection after our last trip a few weeks ago and the immigration guy gave us a pretty thorough going over but he was very
courteous at all times.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Sorry to hear about your dilemma, George. Glad you got some respect out of those guys.
If there's anything I can do for you here in PB, lemme know.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64762
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Viva Tecate!
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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I have noticed a steady improvement with our interactions with the guys in blue at the border. There is the occasional jacka$$$ but most have been
professional and courteous lately. I figured they were weeding out / transferring the problem agents as it's been a long time since I have seen many
of the old (and all too familiar) "friendly, smiling" faces that CBP promises us as you drive up to the booth. The majority of them lately have been
exactly that and actually say "thank you" when you wish them a nice day before pulling away.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Got a real card-carrying jerk in the Otay Ready Lane a few days back. He was being trained by another agent. Talk about stoopid questions along with
the deep eye to eye stare like he's trying to read your mind. They do that on those Poker shows.
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