lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1468
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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SECONDARY TODAY
Just got back from my weekly trip to San Diego this morning. The Sentri line was great, as usual, however I got sent into secondary for the dreaded
inspection. It was just me and my 80 year old mother and it was early and really didn't have much to do in SD so it was no problem.
Went through the x-ray scanner then was sent to the line where a really nice guard took our Sentri passes and told us to wait. He returned about 15
minutes later and told me that he had bad news. Anytime an agent tells you there is bad news you have to cringe but I knew everything was good in that
I have not had a traffic ticket in over 30 years, I am not a felon, I have never done drugs in my life and all registration and insurance was paid up.
He said the bad news was that they were ordered to completely go over my car. He asked me and mom to step out and said that the dog was going to
search and that they were going to do a scope inspection. I pointed to my rear end and had that questioned look on my face and he laughed and said
they don't go that far. I told him to do whatever he had to do.
The dog was brought over and the mooch roamed around the car in the front and back then jumped into the trunk. For whatever reason they were really
interested in the gas tank and were proding and hitting the tank from underneath and checking the bolts carefully while I was talking to the first
nice guy that intially received us. What he said was that the supervisor apparently did the computer search and found that I travel all over the world
to various countries and in the last ten years I have been to South America 63 different times. I told the guy what I did for work and he then
understood and left for about ten minutes leaving the dog and the other inspector in the trunk of my car. During this ten minutes the inspector placed
a long plastic small tube into my gas tank and was looking through a lens searching what was in the tank. This was the first time this was ever done
to my car. I was impressed.
When the nice guy returned he brought along his supervisor who introduced himself and we chatted what I did for work and he asked many questions about
my travels. He specifically asked about my recent trip to Jordan, Dubai, and Kyrgyzstan. After I explained why I was there they both said they were in
the wrong line of work and asked if there were any openings in my field.
What was most interesting was when I asked these guys about how much drugs they confiscate. I was told that the most drugs they confiscate is mota and
several hundred pounds are found every week. They are completely disgusted with the leagal system however. Because so many are caught at the border
and the jails are filled most of these trafficers serve about one day of jail time for every pound seized. On several occasions after an arrest is
made the subject is taken to jail and immediately released on a small bond and of course never appear for their court hearing.
The nice custom agent at the end of this 1 hour ordeal told me that he arrived at work at 8 that morning and must work until midnight due to several
agents taking vacation. He said that he does get overtime however after taxes it all works out about the same as working a regular eight hour shift.
He said that is probably the reason a lot of agents have an attitude....We shook hands and i told him to be positive and don't get stressed. I really
enjoyed this time in secondary and would really not want to be a customs agent!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64739
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Interesting... thanks for the report...
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Now there my friends you have a half full glass!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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i guess we're all in the wrong line of work. 1 day per pound of mota? jeez!
almost sound worth it....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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You're lucky they didn't check out last night's dinner. 
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6343
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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You won't be that impressed about the tube until it goes up a part of your body!
It's called a colonoscopy!
Be thankful they did not offer some temporary sedatives when showing you the tube!
| Quote: | Originally posted by lizard lips
. During this ten minutes the inspector placed a long plastic small tube into my gas tank and was looking through a lens searching what was in the
tank. This was the first time this was ever done to my car. I was impressed.
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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The Homeland Security computer knows all. Travel to foreign countries is considered un-American (unless your last name is Obama).
Bob Durrell
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6343
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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That is the best of all travel tips, Bob!
It is best to travel with either the Prez or Mrs. Clinton.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 824
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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Way to go guys...take a nice informative report and turn it into a political rant.
Got over it, Obama won, Romney lost..it's over
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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I was hoping for more colonoscopy jokes myself. Just had my first one. Not a virgin anymore.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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bigmike
Nomad
Posts: 175
Registered: 9-8-2007
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Loving Life
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Hey Dan,
Do you think you got pulled into secondary because of the dangerous looking woman you had in the car???
LOL
Have a Great Thanksgiving.
Mike
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