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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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What's your border Xing karma?
We often hear the bad Xing stories. Anyone have good ones to post?
Reading other accounts of border xing headaches makes me wonder why some trips end worse than others when they hit the fence. My latest experience:
After 2-1/2 wks in Baja I crossed at San Ysidro 6 am Sunday, June 29 (day of MX final World Cup game). Took me 40 min. Lots of high spirits, vendors
in MX futbol jerseys etc.
Drove truck w/camper shell full of dust, dirty clothes, kayak, camping gear etc. Dashboard covered with sand dollars and other beach discoveries.
who knew what I had tossed back there and forgot- coconuts? Pitayas? The dreaded dog food?
Fearing secondary was inevitable I approached the booth:
Agent: what are you bringing back?
Me: dust and dirty clothes. (dog was asleep on seat next to me)
Agent: have a good day.
And that was it.
Not sure if I was already on SENTRI radar by then, or if I just looked too dirty and tired to be a threat...but I appreciated the quick pass thru!
[Edited on 7-17-2014 by Whale-ista]
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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It's the nightmare experience that is the anomaly for me. Most are fast and cordial.
I think travelers who pull up to the gate with a mountain of gear and tired attitudes are going to get, and should expect, more in-depth attention.
They should be mentally prepared for this. Most often they are their own worst problem.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 8-24-2010
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline
Mood: in search of more
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1398 times out of 1400 crossings (approx.) have been good for me. I don't hide things, lie or need to get nervous. That is a great stat. But the 2
that were bad and an additional 2 bad encounters at the Otay SENTRI office should be looked at by the CBP to improve the Department and protect the
public.
The CBP appears to be exempt from oversight by my experience. Just those few misuse of power incidents wield great harm and must be subject to review
which apparently they are not.
As I noted recently, with the new construction at SY, the signs which issued "Our pledge to the traveling public" have been removed. The pledge
listed several positive protections for the public but are no longer anywhere to be seen.
The CBP moves cattle and has the power to apply any amount of force they choose. Remember a few months ago when a CBP agent shot bullets at a man who
was unarmed and not a threat to the agent. That all went under carpet, never to heard of again. I predicted it would disappear and it did.
Gestapo.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug.
normal folks who don't interpret border regulations to exclude themselves or their situations usually have no problems and those they do have are
usually resolved after a polite interaction. you're cross and cranky after three or four hours of waiting, those folks are cross and cranky after
dealing with thousands of cross and cranky travelers, some of whom are most definitely bad guys.
try watching a few episodes of "Border Security' and see which travelers are their own worst enemies.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Crossing Hints
A. Have all of your documents in hand, or close by (do not fumble around in your glove compartment, purse, backpack or backseat)
Sentri/Passport/Passport Card/Birth Certificate/Drivers License/Vehicle Registration and US vehicle insurance.
B. Take off your sunglasses and turn the radio off
C. Be polite, friendly and smile
D. Answer questions, do not volunteer extra information (do not babble)
E. Have a list of all articles and/or items obtained in Baja/Mexico
F. When asked what items you are bringing back from Mexico, refer to the list and start reading (do not hand the list to the inspector unless
directed):
one T-shirt
one plaster frog
one bottle vanilla
one bottle Tequila.........
blah, blah, blah
G. remember....please, thank you, yes sir (or ma'am), no sir (or ma'am)
H. have a cute, friendly Yellow Labrador Retriever in the vehicle with you. "Most" CBP booth agents will concentrate more on the Lab.
I. If you do get sent to Secondary, make it an adventure.
The two times I have been directed to secondary (in 20+ years of crossing) it was by female CBP agents...........however most female agents really
like interacting with the dog.
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Thanks for comments/stories.
As for dog: No cute lab. Had a big black lab years ago but she was intimidating not cute.
But the poodle can be a charmer when she's awake. (6 am was too early)
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
A. Have all of your documents in hand, or close by (do not fumble around in your glove compartment, purse, backpack or backseat)
Sentri/Passport/Passport Card/Birth Certificate/Drivers License/Vehicle Registration and US vehicle insurance.
B. Take off your sunglasses and turn the radio off
C. Be polite, friendly and smile
D. Answer questions, do not volunteer extra information (do not babble)
E. Have a list of all articles and/or items obtained in Baja/Mexico
F. When asked what items you are bringing back from Mexico, refer to the list and start reading (do not hand the list to the inspector unless
directed):
one T-shirt
one plaster frog
one bottle vanilla
one bottle Tequila.........
blah, blah, blah
G. remember....please, thank you, yes sir (or ma'am), no sir (or ma'am)
H. have a cute, friendly Yellow Labrador Retriever in the vehicle with you. "Most" CBP booth agents will concentrate more on the Lab.
I. If you do get sent to Secondary, make it an adventure.
The two times I have been directed to secondary (in 20+ years of crossing) it was by female CBP agents...........however most female agents really
like interacting with the dog. |
I completely agree with your suggestions and follow most of them. I have noticed the female agents can start off a bit harsh until they interact with
my kids...then they light up.
I normally have a neutral to positive interactions with CPB about 70% of the times I cross.
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SlyOnce
Nomad
Posts: 262
Registered: 12-26-2013
Member Is Offline
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I cross every day between 5 and 6 AM. I see the same border inspectors frequently. People crossing this time in the SENTRI lanes are going to work.
I'm in the computer as crossing every day. I know to remove hat, sunglasses, and don't cover the photo on my SENTRI card with my thumb. I always say
"Good Morning. Nothing to declare." as I roll up. I NEVER have problems. I get sent to secondary for "compliance check" about once every few
months. Usually when I am running late and in a hurry. But its random.
There is one old bearded guy. He's a bit strange. He's the one who told me to say "nothing to declare" as I roll up, it saves everyone time. He
takes my card and says
"Welcome back to your homeland fellow citizen"
Always gets me to laugh.
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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 SlyOnce
There is one old bearded guy. He's a bit strange. He's the one who told me to say "nothing to declare" |
Years back, before the Passport suggestion, the standard salutation at the booth for early AM work traffic was, "US...Nada." I even saw one vanity
plate that had this on it.
Ahhh yes...the border prior to 911 is but a fading memory.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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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 rhintransit
"some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug."
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My next tattoo....bumper sticker, anyway.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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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 Bajaboy
I have noticed the female agents can start off a bit harsh until they interact with my kids...then they light up.
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May as well toss in a sexist interpretation of hell. We've tried everything else. 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Great experiences so far = not arrested
Don't believe everything you think....
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
Member Is Offline
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I generally get brusque, efficient processing. Given that they're screening eight bazillion people a day and trying to keep the losers, the drugs and
the weapons out, brusque and efficient is fine by me.
Occasionally I get someone who is very pleasant and chatty, and I chat for as long as he or she wants to. And occasionally I get someone who is in a
truly poisonous mood, and pull off for a restorative cup of coffee once I'm done, whether sent to secondary or not.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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When he found out I was coming from Ensenada, I had a nice long friendly chat with an inspector who had a place by the south Ensenada Wal-Mart. He was
asking what my favorite places to eat were
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
Member Is Offline
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In September 2011, SCORE International abruptly changed one of its race venues from Stateline, NV to San Felipe - I went down for a week of prerunning
then racing. At some point during the trip, it dawned on me that I would be crossing back into the US on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - "holy crap" I
thought. When I arrived at the Tecate crossing (Sunday, mid morning) I was the only the FIFTH car in line. I started laughing, I couldn't believe it.
When I got to the front of the line, I asked the border agent where everyone was. He said, of course, "I think 9/11 scared everyone away," then sent
me on my way.
What I saw when I arrived at the border crossing:
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BajaRun
Nomad
Posts: 222
Registered: 2-25-2012
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just Cruisin'
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Usually cross back into the US at Tecate, I decide to make a dentist and taco run down to Algodones a few weeks ago. I have been the 3rd or 4th car in
line at Tecate before but never have I pulled up to the border crossing and been the only car in line.. Algodones on a Wednesday afternoon (3pm) in
July is a great thing, No cars in front of me or behind me!!!
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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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I think that to give this experience a background, we crossed once at Otay, and the first thing the agent said was, "I'm sure that you're happy to be
back to the US."
I did not respond, but I was seething inside.
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freediverbrian
Senior Nomad
Posts: 619
Registered: 2-24-2007
Location: Papas Gonzaga Bay
Member Is Offline
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Me a 55 year old boring old guy .only once in secondary in twenty years. My son a twenty year old going to Baja Naval boat yard once a week for a year
and a half was in secondary half of his trips. Profiling?
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
Member Is Offline
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crossed at Tecate on a Thursday night around 9:00pm two weeks ago took less then 5 minutes drove right up to the gate 2 cars in one line and 1 car in
the other that's it.
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Bajajorge
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
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I get sent to secondary every time I cross back into the US as I have a cabover camper on my PU. But I have found that having stickers on the rear of
the camper indicating I am retired military cuts me alot of slack. Most of the Feds at the border are also vets. I usually spend more time telling war
stories than being inspected.
Why do Liberals insist and demand that achievers pay the way for nonachievers who are to lazy to succeed, or are just failures by their own choice?
Criminals prefer unarmed victims, dictators prefer unarmed subjects.
Why do ignorant people continue their blabbering when it only proves to others how stupid they are.
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