GeoRock
Nomad
Posts: 329
Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always have one
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Beware of bringing recylables across border!
Crossed the border, TJ to stateside on June 1st.
After an hour wait in a very slow, frozen molasses lane, finally got to the starting gate at 11 p.m.
After having travelled all day from Bahia, the car was in a state of disarray. Some trash, food, and empty water bottles thrown around by all three
of us.
Asked what was in the car, "What's all this?", we said we have a house in Bahia and that we were bringing back dirty linens and recyclables.
Told to go to secondary.
Questioned in secondary about what all was in the car. Asked why we were bringing back the recyclables.
I told him that I have never felt right about burning/throwing away recyclables in the dump at Camp Gecko, so this trip we decided to bring them back.
Oh, we were x-rayed by this time. Us and the car.
Further questions, and he finally told us that people have been smuggling drugs into the states inside of recyclables. When we said we had
recyclables it was a green light to head us into secondary inspection.
He ended by telling us that we could go this time, but to NEVER bring recyclables through the TJ crossing ever again. If we are bringing them back
with us, he said we have to go through Otay Mesa.
No reason given for that, just told that very strictly.
A 45 minute inspection and we were finally on our way. They checked out a few bags of the recyclables, but did not dig that deeply into the car.
Guess that xray must have answered their questions.
In retrospect, I would get out of the car and let them drive it through their xray machine. Why did I let myself be xrayed? because I was exhausted
after a long, long day of driving. I think the xray is much stronger than they tell you. They said it was only 1/2000th as strong as a medical xray.
I betcha it is much stronger than that.
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BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by GeoRock
In retrospect, I would get out of the car and let them drive it through their xray machine. Why did I let myself be xrayed? because I was exhausted
after a long, long day of driving. I think the xray is much stronger than they tell you. They said it was only 1/2000th as strong as a medical xray.
I betcha it is much stronger than that. |
Z Portal pdf file. Looks pretty safe, or at least safer than living in Denver according to the specs.
I think the world is run by C- students.
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
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I have often wondered about this. I hate just tossing recyclables when in MX. I wonder if you had told them you were packing out your trash if the
result had been any different.
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55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
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I haul my trash/recyclables into town - absolutely HATE to burn stuff at the DUMP at Gecko. I'm not really sure what happens to them in town though.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 55steve
I haul my trash/recyclables into town - absolutely HATE to burn stuff at the DUMP at Gecko. I'm not really sure what happens to them in town though.
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It's taken to the town dump where it's scattered, burned or taken away by the wind.
We often take ours home in heavy duty contractor's trash bags. If it gets stinky it can make for shorter inspection times at the military check
points. 
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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Bia has got me to start bringing all of our trash home, and recyclables. i just stand back and smile when the soldier asks me whats in the bag?
"basura"
they must think we're all crazy.....
edit:g (figure out which one)
[Edited on 6-2-2009 by woody in ob]
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 464
Registered: 11-18-2003
Member Is Offline
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At Otay Mesa they consider recyclables as "freight" and you have to go through the truck line to bring a bag of botlles and cans back ! Go with the
trash argument - it works - and play stupid..
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