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raymorrone
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 10-5-2011
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Military Checkpoints
Thank you all for such awesome advice in my last Forum Q! Amazing!
I hate to bother ya'll but here is another Q:
BajaBlanca pointed out the military checkpoints. We're not afraid at all. we'll have all of our paper work in order and nothing to hide...and we're
always respectful. Theirs is a seemingly hard and boring job.
But I read somewhere that is nice to offer them something - maybe a few Red Bulls, Cokes, or some thing...but only after they look us over. We dont
want to appear like we're bribing them or hiding anything.
Is that something we should plan on?
Thanks again everyone.
Ray and Julia
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Bajahowodd
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My advice is to let your conscience be your guide.
Over the many years we have been going through such checkpoints, our experience has varied.
Some are an actual pain, with the military acting like we were criminals. However, most have been very enjoyable experiences.
And, given the remote location, and so often, just a bunch of sweet-natured kids, we often give them treats.
It's all about the situation.
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mulegemichael
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Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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treats is treats!...for the most part, these guys are teenagers....teenagers love treats.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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desertcpl
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its not necessary that you offer them anything, the only time that I have is in a very remote check point, being the last time I went to Gonzaga Bay,
I felt sorry for these guys out in the middle of no where, I gave the younger one's cold soda and bottled water, the older guys Tecate, you should
have seen their faces light up, I didnt think they had any thing that was iced down, so this was a treat for them
but either way I wouldnt stress out over it at all
[Edited on 10-9-2011 by desertcpl]
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J.P.
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Military check points are part of the experince , like others say they are just kids, I have never been treated badly.
In the past I have been asked if we have any extra battries.
and they alyways ask how much the Dogs cost.
On another note NEVER leave your purse in the car I have in the past caught them going through my wifes purse.
like most people say let your conscience be your guide about the treats.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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It never occured to me to give them something and I don't think it would be a good policy to train them to expect anything.
Why would I want to give a tip or a gift to a kid with a machine gun? Almost seems disrespectful.
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bajalou
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They are doing their job. And I think most are about the age of a quarter of the soldiers in WWII.
Give them the same treats you give the US Border Patrol when you cross the border.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Roberto
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Absolutely not. Would you give cops manning a DUI checkpoint in the U.S. something? Why is this any different? There are enough problems with
professional conduct of people with authority in Mexico without tourists (Gringo tourists with lots of money compared to them) encouraging things.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
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When we are driving down Baja in our truck on trips we usually have an ice in the bed of the truck. This ice chest has cold drinks or bottle water
and I always tell them when they look inside the ice chest if they want some to help themselves. By the way I have another ice chest in my back seat
with my ice drinks and food which I do not offer,LOL. A soft drink is not a bribe nor is it anything but a consideration you extended to someone you
choose to or not. Nothing to get upset about if someone does not do it or if someone does, take it easy on the easy when traveling and don't get all
worked up over nothing. Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777
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raymorrone
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That makes much more sense...
I totally understand that If we offer them something, they may soon expect it from everyone.
I remember receiving Christmas cards as a little kid, and if it didn't have a $5 in it, I'd throw it away and pout. (I'm a little better now!)
So, once again, we'll play it by ear... if we should somehow start a friendly rapport with the military checkpoint guys and they laugh at my jokes, I
may ask "want a coke?" but otherwise, we wont offer it.
Ray and Julia
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sancho
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!0 yrs back or so, at the Check Point 20 mi no of San Felipe in Winter, the Army kid wanted to buy my sleeping bag, their barracks consisted
of a tarp strung up around an Ocotillo. It is much better now, I believe
they are instructed not to take offerings. My understanding is
these are poor kids from Rural Mex Towns who don't have
connections or $ to get out of the Military service, that is a
version I've heard
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Woooosh
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I give them decks of playing cards. These are young guys with lots of time on their hands.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Feathers
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
It never occured to me to give them something and I don't think it would be a good policy to train them to expect anything.
Why would I want to give a tip or a gift to a kid with a machine gun? Almost seems disrespectful. |
Yep, what Dennis said! 
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Bajaboy
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I say give them 500 pesos and see if they'll waive you through....
I completely agree with Dennis.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
!0 yrs back or so, at the Check Point 20 mi no of San Felipe in Winter, the Army kid wanted to buy my sleeping bag, |
Many times I've heard that they wanted to buy something or other when in probable fact, they're only inviting you to give it to them.
Thas how I sees it anyway.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
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I agree with Dennis. Keep things professional.
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micah202
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...''if they laugh at mah jokes''
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Marinero
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Professional is good. A cold drink on a hot day is just as good.
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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BajaBlanca
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this is a really good and difficult question
these are really really poor kids for sure
I never thought about giving them something but at the end of the search, some candy or ice cold water/soda might be a nice gesture .... I will have
to sleep on this one
someone once left their docs and quite a bit of cash on the center console and it all got stolen so remember to take cash/docs with you as you step
away from the car and definitely keep an eye on the guys while they conduct their inspection ... driver side and passenger side.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
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Don't give them anything. They're doing their job. Be nice and respectful. Then move along. If you're in the middle of nowhere give them a beer or
water or whatever.
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