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Ron_Perry
Junior Nomad
Posts: 77
Registered: 9-21-2005
Member Is Offline
Mood: yearning for baja
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45 years of military check points
Since about 1978….approximately 45 trips down and back, I have yet to experience a negative encounter at any checkpoint. Just drove down about
6/15, and headed back about 7/10. Alway travel at least to La Paz, sometimes to Cabo San Lucas. Not sure why of my great luck…after hearing
plenty of negative stories…. this trip down seemed to be one of the easiest and friendliest in both directions.
And the roads! Maybe only 20% of the narrow, white
knuckle asphalt left. Plenty of WIDE roadway throughout the entire drive. Comparing the surface from 40 years ago…smooth sailing. Looks to be plenty
of new roadwork in the works
Spent my time this trip in La Ventana, at the original campground, fishing/diving/Mt biking. Great time was had by all, Ron
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6035
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
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Thanks for posting about your trip. I don't have near as many Baja runs under my belt, but I have been visiting off and on since 1986.
With the improvements being made on the highways, I find myself taking more of the secondary roads to get that "Baja feel".
I also have had problem free encounters at the checkpoints over the years. I travel with a large dog, which might be why I get waved through a lot of
them.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
Member Is Offline
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As a group, most folks traveling baja by road, are people who are quite familiar with dogs. Most people in the world are less comfortable around than
our demographic. A young dude with sporting camo and guns is very reluctant to reveal his fear of bigass dogs. Imo, it's a big asset to travel and
live with them.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2462
Registered: 8-27-2015
Member Is Offline
Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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Ron,
You probably aren’t a Gringo with lots of Tats and an attitude either.
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5002
Registered: 5-6-2016
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I have also never had a bad experience at military checkpoints, in Baja or anywhere else in Mexico. Sure, sometimes they have checked through my
vehicle, but they have always been polite, just doing their job.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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Been going to Baja since '73. Attitude at these road checks can take you far, well further. haha
They have their job to do which I always let them know I appreciate them keeping the roads safe, well, safer. haha
During the simpleton idiocy of Nancy's Just Say No years, there was a check point between the Cabo's that was manned by some Federales and led by one
short N-zi guy who stole a pair of nice Nikon binoculars. Even going up to La Paz to report him accomplished nada. He obviously had Mexico DF
connections.
My behavior was as it had always been. Respectful and grateful for the job they had to do. That one time was a one time only. Knock on wood.
For sure, I have been thoroughly searched occasionally over the last few years, but I watched them like a hawk. Never a problem since back in the 80's
in Cabo.
A respectful demeanor pays you back every time, well, almost. haha
Peace love and fish tacos to all Nomads.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6035
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
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Sometimes you get surprised....
Southbound last September, my Trooper got searched at the checkpoint just south of the Mex3 and 5 junction. My dog is intimidating, 90 pounds of
muscle and bone with a broad head, but she is not a guard dog.
The two soldiers that were on duty must have been "dog people" because they spent more time playing with her than searching through my stuff!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64864
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Like others, a life of driving the peninsula that began before the highways were all built. The military checkpoints began in the 90s, I 🤔 think?
Never an issue and always a fun experience until that one incident at San Ignacio in July 2015. No others for us after that, either. We weren't the
only ones that outfit harassed, either. Oh well, takes more that that to keep us away!
Viva Baja!
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13198
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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Having loved there for 16 years with MANY trips up and down, we can say that we never had a bad experience. Many times I would get my amigas and head
for San Ignacio for the day, three ladies in the car, never a hassle.
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Lengua
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 9-13-2011
Member Is Offline
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Speaking of Hwy 1 or 5 , how wide are those lanes. We see BIG class A diesel pushers traveling those roads and some very nice 5th wheel trailers.
We’re going to tow our center console.
Can someone share the width of the lanes ?
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18429
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by Lengua  | Speaking of Hwy 1 or 5 , how wide are those lanes. We see BIG class A diesel pushers traveling those roads and some very nice 5th wheel trailers.
We’re going to tow our center console.
Can someone share the width of the lanes ? |
Lanes are wide enough. The older road sections have narrower shoulders. Drive careful.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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Last 44 years no problem. Just take off the aviator glasses and ball cap. Just a few very long waiting in line.
Exercise regularly. Eat sensibly. Die anyway.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6035
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
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| Quote: Originally posted by Marc | | Last 44 years no problem. Just take off the aviator glasses and ball cap. Just a few very long waiting in line. |
Good point on removing the shades! I try to remember that when I am approaching a checkpoint or border crossing. Even when I was a "rescuer" on the
ski patrol, removing my sunglasses improved communication and reduced stress for the patient.
If you actually do have something to hide you may want to keep them on! 
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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Thanks. I concur.
Always take off your sunglasses, along with rolling down the windows without being asked before you pull up to the authorities, and not just the front
windows.
Any small amount of respect shown to them can go a long way to not being hassled. Hopefully. haha
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18429
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by surfhat | Thanks. I concur.
Always take off your sunglasses, along with rolling down the windows without being asked before you pull up to the authorities, and not just the front
windows.
Any small amount of respect shown to them can go a long way to not being hassled. Hopefully. haha |
I do roll down the window so the can be nosy. I don't see a need to take off dark glasses, they are not checking identities
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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those checkpoints get really old when you have to go through em daily, fortunately they did away with the one at bl2000, you know those young
soldiers, if you are a senorita you were gonna get pulled over....if you believe removing hat and sunglasses is somehow beneficial by all means do it.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by surfhat | Thanks. I concur.
Always take off your sunglasses, along with rolling down the windows without being asked before you pull up to the authorities, and not just the front
windows.
Any small amount of respect shown to them can go a long way to not being hassled. Hopefully. haha |
I do roll down the window so they can be nosy. I don't see a need to take off dark glasses, they are not checking identities |
As a long-time Field Law Enforcement Officer, I found that eyeball to eyeball always worked better than keeping your dark glasses on---- on both
sides of the International Border, as a "checker" or a "checkee".
In all my travels throughout Baja since about 1955 I do not remember ever having a problem with "check points" or the guys running them, but I was
always obviously close to the action and watchful of what the "checkers" were doing. That seemed to work for me, and I never knowingly had anything
stolen.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18429
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Barry A. | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by surfhat | Thanks. I concur.
Always take off your sunglasses, along with rolling down the windows without being asked before you pull up to the authorities, and not just the front
windows.
Any small amount of respect shown to them can go a long way to not being hassled. Hopefully. haha |
I do roll down the window so they can be nosy. I don't see a need to take off dark glasses, they are not checking identities |
As a long-time Field Law Enforcement Officer, I found that eyeball to eyeball always worked better than keeping your dark glasses on---- on both
sides of the International Border, as a "checker" or a "checkee".
In all my travels throughout Baja since about 1955 I do not remember ever having a problem with "check points" or the guys running them, but I was
always obviously close to the action and watchful of what the "checkers" were doing. That seemed to work for me, and I never knowingly had anything
stolen.
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Checkpoints in mexico are what they are. Checkpoints in the usa rankle my civil rights. In usa i dont open window unless asked/demanded, not good to
voluntarily consent to inspection or you risk losing all rights—you give a cop an inch, they will try to take a mile!
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Goat---------Your attitude as presented here is exactly what provokes LE personnel to be more aggressive in their pursuit of their responsibility.
It's human nature in action. Good luck with that.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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Speaking of checkpoints, a friend of mine mentioned that he was stopped last week at the new CBP booths southbound into Mexico at the San Ysidro
crossing. The CBP inspector asked where he was going in Mexico, why he was going there, how much money he had with him, and if he was carrying any
weapons. I don't know how often the booths are manned, but they really slow down southbound traffic into Mexico.
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