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GeoRock
Nomad
Posts: 329
Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always have one
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Military Checkpoints=faster!
A few tricks we have up our sleeve for making it faster to get through the military checkpoints I will share, and hope that others will share their
advice.
If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them
as crazy.
I speakem no spanglish. Less talk, less time.
I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it.
I have found it is common that while one soldier is searching the car, another will start talking to me to distract me. I am not certain if this is a
purposeful tactic or not. All I am saying is that I do not look at anyone but the person searching my car.
Just two days ago, at the check point just north of El Rosario, a soldier stepped to my side of the car to search. He saw what looked to be a
purse, (it wasn't) on the floor. Glancing back quickly, he saw that I was watching. He moved his body to what he thought was a position of blockage.
It wasn't. I could still see him. He unzipped the bag and I protested. I told him it was a personal bag. He quickly zipped it back up after
feeling/looking inside likely for money, stepped back and smiled. He held his arm out, gestering that I could climb back into my seat. I am not
claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know. I am just saying that it struck me as very suspicious.
So, watch them closely and make it obvious that you are watching.
Do not unlock the back of your car if you have a tailgate. When they try to open it, you will have to open it for them. Then you can watch.
They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.
They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity.
I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them. I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions, but I always watch them closely.
If you have passengers, tell them to stand right by their door and watch all that goes on with the search at their location.
I have never had a single item stolen. Fingered many times, but never taken. But I always watch closely.
Your tips?
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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Secondary Inspection=faster!
A few tricks we have up our sleeve for making it faster to get through the Secondary Inspection I will share, and hope that others will share their
advice.
If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them
as crazy.
I speakem no inglich. Less talk, less time.
I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it.
I have found it is common that while one CBP Officer is searching the car, another will start talking to me to distract me. I am not certain if this
is a purposeful tactic or not. All I am saying is that I do not look at anyone but the person searching my car.
Just two days ago, at the Secondary Inspection at the San Ysidro Border Crossing, a CBP Officer stepped to my side of the car to search. He saw what
looked to be a purse, (it wasn't) on the floor. Glancing back quickly, he saw that I was watching. He moved his body to what he thought was a position
of blockage. It wasn't. I could still see him. He unzipped the bag and I protested. I told him it was a personal bag. He quickly zipped it back up
after feeling/looking inside likely for money, stepped back and smiled. He held his arm out, gestering that I could climb back into my seat. I am not
claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know. I am just saying that it struck me as very suspicious.
So, watch them closely and make it obvious that you are watching.
Do not unlock the back of your car if you have a tailgate. When they try to open it, you will have to open it for them. Then you can watch.
They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.
They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity.
I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them. I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions, but I always watch them closely.
If you have passengers, tell them to stand right by their door and watch all that goes on with the search at their location.
I have never had a single item stolen. Fingered many times, but never taken. But I always watch closely.
Your tips?
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Great tips!
We go through these checkpoints in our Cabover Camper. They will always want to look inside the camper. We have portatable steps stowed away so it's
not to easy to get up in there. One thing I've noticed is that they will never climb up on the bed to look inside the cabinets and storge areas up
there. I think that touching someone elses bed must be taboo.
My wife will sometimes pretend to be napping in the front seat and they have never disturbed her.
That's my 2-centavos.
Bob H
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Must be lucky, the Mexican soldiers at the checkpoints all seem to be just doing their jobs. Not trying steal etc.  US border guards can get sorta wierd.
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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
If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them
as crazy. |
We live next door to the Alamo car wash. I can guarantee you that the 'ding-ding-ding' does not
drive them crazy. I assume the same with the military kids since they are pretty close in age.
| Quote: | I speakem no spanglish. Less talk, less time.
I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions |
| Quote: | | I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it. |
They've never inspected Ana's purse/backpack either.
| Quote: | | I am not claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know. |
We have never had anything stolen but I'm sure it
could happen. We take normal precautions on valuables.
| Quote: | | They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do. |
It's the opposite for us.
Never once have they opened our cooler or Engle freezer that I can recall.
| Quote: | | They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity. |
Everyone knows how much our old Blazer is worth.
| Quote: | | I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them. |
This statement surprises me. A question for all
Nomads, do any of you fear the military checkpoints or soldiers?
| Quote: | | Fingered many times, but never taken. |
Ana was mad at the kid at one checkpoint when he erased all her poker
winnings on her handheld poker game.
Most of our experience is with checkpoints in Baja Sur. Every time through is different. Sometimes we get waved through and other times they want to
inspect. The last time they were very interested in searching under the floor mats.
My only advice is to smile and be cooperative.
I think the world is run by C- students.
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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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Never had a problem after passing through military and federal police checkpoints hundreds of times - at least 8 per week on average. And I do most of
the opposite of what you suggested here.
I guess I am just lucky - go figure...
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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I have a Military Camo jacket hanging in the back. When they ask I tell them I was in the service a long time ago. 75% of the time, they then tell
me to go ahead.
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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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Maybe it's just the scene of a bunch of guys in camouflage brandishing rifles that could make some folks feel uneasy. We've never had any problems.
They've always been polite. Maybe it's just me, but is actually seems that more and more of the soldiers, at least the lead guys speak pretty good
English.
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rpleger
Super Nomad
Posts: 1087
Registered: 3-12-2005
Location: H. Mulegé, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Was good.
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Personally I'm happy that there there doing their job by keeping me safe. I step aside open the trunk, and drink some water until they are through
with me...about 2-3 minutes.
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
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estebanis
Nomad
Posts: 279
Registered: 11-11-2002
Location: Stuck North of the Border. They won\'t pay me
Member Is Offline
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I just wish they would point that .50 Caliber in the machine gun nest away from me! I hate staring down that barrel and poor gun safety...
Esteban
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David A.
Nomad
Posts: 120
Registered: 9-15-2003
Location: Angelus Oaks, CA./Gecko, Bahia de Los Angeles
Member Is Offline
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Once, I pulled up to one of the inspection checks and the young man looked into the back seat floor of my truck and he sang the Cops song, "Bad Boy,
Bad Boy, whats you going to do" when he saw all the empty Pacifico bottles and tequila bottles. I could not stop laughing . That was a 30
second inspection.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65293
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David A.
Once, I pulled up to one of the inspection checks and the young man looked into the back seat floor of my truck and he sang the Cops song, "Bad Boy,
Bad Boy, whats you going to do" when he saw all the empty Pacifico bottles and tequila bottles. I could not stop laughing. That was a 30
second inspection. |
That IS funny David!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I have a new Jeep so I'm just gonna drive around them. That's OK...Isn't it?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65293
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Dennis, Google Earth is great for finding the roads that bi-pass the check points! 
I wonder what the guys on the El Rosario mesa would do if they see a dust cloud on the road that goes around the east side of the mesa?
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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I have never had a problem with the military checkpoints. Some inspections are more thorough than others. I am friendly. I always voluntarily take my
dog out and keep him on the leash, and then let them do their thing. I speak Spanish with them. Sometimes I make them laugh. I do keep my eye on them.
I take out and carry my soft briefcase over my shoulder. It has my documents. I don't leave money in the vehicle either. I always have a diver's knife
stashed between the driver's seat and the center console; seven inch serrated blade with a compass in the handle. Over the years many have asked me if
they could buy it. I won't sell it to them and I am firm about it. I also stash a can of wasp spray within reach, that will squirt 30 feet. They never
ask about that.Sometimes I give them a soda or a bottle of water.
Whether it is a deliberate distraction tactic, or not, they do seem genuinely interested in material things they see. They often ask questions about
things. The inspections take as long as they take. I don't mind. I have never been unduly delayed.
At the U.S. border, I am always sent to secondary. I don't know if it is because I either tow a trailer or a boat, if I fit a profile or if I am in
their computers as a suspicious character. Their attitudes vary, from curt to friendly. Almost always humorless. Never rude. Very officious attitudes.
They spend a lot of time asking questions, inspecting, opening things and knocking on panels and opening compartments. The last crossing took about 45
minutes in Secondary. It is what it is! I just go with the flow. They used to always say, "Welcome back the U.S.A!" They haven't said that in quite
awhile.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Dennis, Google Earth is great for finding the roads that bi-pass the check points!
I wonder what the guys on the El Rosario mesa would do if they see a dust cloud on the road that goes around the east side of the mesa?
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Thanks, David. I don't think they would do anything but, I'm actually not in the mood to find out how wrong I could be.
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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My van is in the shop today because of the trashing they gave my van in 2nd inspection last time thru. $600 bill coming. Never had a problem with the
miltary.
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Heather
Nomad
Posts: 370
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: National City, CA
Member Is Offline
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We never have any problems when we have one or two sleeping kids in the backseat! Even faster when they were babies, I'd just roll the window down to
give them a peek in, and they'd ooh and aah and then send us on our way! H.
My husband, who is from La Paz, has a gringo surfer-ish look about him, so we always get a big kick when they try and talk to him in English! He
doesn't say much back in return and we usually leave pretty quickly.
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
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I actually think the military are the "good guys", not the corrupt local cops. We are always friendly as are they. I think they must be terribly
bored looking through cars and trucks in the hot sun all day. We often offer them a soda or water which they gladly accept. Sometimes candy works
too.
Do you think their guns actually have bullets in them????
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BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 919
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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The best, fastest ways through?
Bring an assortment of adult magazines (They like Hustler the most). I store them
in random locations, and when they find them, they all huddle around and look at the pictures. I tell them they can have it/them and then they just
let me go through.
Buy a few cheap metal (maglite wanna-be) flashlights, and store them in the glove box. They will almost always want to buy one, I usually just give
them away.
Haven't had this happen to me in the last few years, but, If I had some tequilia, they'd ask for a sip, and Id always say yes. But Im sure thats a big
no-no these days!
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