General Reports

[TJSteve]

I have lived in Tijuana 11 years and I have determined that they are trained to ask certain questions at that hole in GA where they are trained.

1. What was the purpose for your trip to Mexico? Reply; I have a second home down by Rosarito. Never say you live there! From Penasco I say "Chicas and margaritas" They usually don't pursue that one.

2. Where are you going? Reply: Whatever your auto Reg shows.

3. How far is that? Or Where is that?, Etc. Reply: The truth. They know and are trying to see if you are nervous. I once had a guy question me thoroughly about Parowan, Ut like it was a mystery to him. When he let me go he told me he went to UT State! They know!

4. Where do you work? Reply (my usual) I work for Social Security and I don't even have to punch in: they just send me a check.

5 Is this your car? Reply: No, It's Wells Fargo Banks'.

You can always tell when you get a an FNG because they ask all of those questions and the line is slower than the ones on either side.

Going the other way I get a red light about 3 times a year. I once got it with a new LG 39 inch TV in the back seat. She said "That's Ok it's only a small one. Do you have any cigarettes or liquor. " Have never paid customs on anything.

Did you notice CBP agents were always asking, what you were doing in Mexico? Ever since the Patriot Act, law enforcement agents have been authorized to do a lot of things.

CBP agents are trained to ask leading questions hoping to trip up lies by people crossing borders. If you refuse to answer these questions, it may be grounds for CBP to send you to Secondary Inspection or detaining you for investigation. It's best to give them plausible but vague answers.

I usually say something vague, like " visiting some acquaintances. " If CBP and DHS need to investigate my Tijuana acquaintances, I can give them the names of a few bad-ass meseros in HK who deserved some education. The agents are welcomed to put a trace on my money trail, the few $ I gave to these meseros to feed their hungry families.

[SaltShaker]

I agree. It will be a great trip report.

LOL. Just refuses to wait until he is properly prepared.

[SaltShaker]

Check out the Yelp review.

BTW, have you tried La Mansion for reservations?

[BaronVonGrimm]

Let's take stock of the situation, just to inject a bit of objectivity. Two people, one with an expired passport, one with NO passport, wish to go to a foreign country, driving a rented car. What could possibly go wrong?

First, these days Mexico requires ALL visitors to have a passport. That includes you. Yes, you can still walk across Otay without one, and you can still drive across without one, but that doesn't change the requirements.

Second, 100% of rental car agencies' contracts specifically prohibit taking their cars into Mexico, Mexican insurance notwithstanding.

So, best case scenario this couple comes to Mexico, has a good time, returns to the USA, gets stuck in secondary for a lengthy interview, then returns home. A bonus would be that the rental agency DID NOT have a GPS tracker on the car (some do), because they will suddenly become very upset...

You could have saved a lot of typing to have just said you can't drive a rented car from USA to Mexico. No, I was not aware of that, but I was going to ask first when I make my reservation today not just do it.

And going to Tijuana without a passport is not a big deal, done it so many times. Like I said, even the lady at the US passport agency told me the same thing. I don't mind a little hassle.

No, I have tried La Mansion yet, I've tried emailing all these places but they never email back and trying to call today. Otay Hotel email doesn't even work, bounces back.

[Bbond]

Second, 100% of rental car agencies' contracts specifically prohibit taking their cars into Mexico, Mexican insurance notwithstanding.

Budget.

According to information on Budget.com:

Taking a rental car into Mexico is permitted by United States residents only if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at the USA Rental location. You cannot purchase this insurance in Mexico. This insurance is available only at specific locations in Texas, Arizona and California.

[Mr Enternational]

Let's take stock of the situation, just to inject a bit of objectivity. Two people, one with an expired passport, one with NO passport, wish to go to a foreign country, driving a rented car. What could possibly go wrong?

LOL. Just refuses to wait until he is properly prepared. Just going to do it his way. Fuck 'em.

[Phordphan]

We're renting a car. And yes I will get the Mexican insurance.

To the guy who responded about going to the Wiltshire building for my passport renewal, they didn't have an appointment for several weeks, and I don't have an entire day to walking to maybe GE seen, plus my girlfriend can't find hers.

Let's take stock of the situation, just to inject a bit of objectivity. Two people, one with an expired passport, one with NO passport, wish to go to a foreign country, driving a rented car. What could possibly go wrong?

First, these days Mexico requires ALL visitors to have a passport. That includes you. Yes, you can still walk across Otay without one, and you can still drive across without one, but that doesn't change the requirements.

Second, 100% of rental car agencies' contracts specifically prohibit taking their cars into Mexico, Mexican insurance notwithstanding.

So, best case scenario this couple comes to Mexico, has a good time, returns to the USA, gets stuck in secondary for a lengthy interview, then returns home. A bonus would be that the rental agency DID NOT have a GPS tracker on the car (some do), because they will suddenly become very upset.

Alternative scenario is that this couple in involved in a traffic accident (not unheard of in Tijuana) and are unable, for whatever reason, to pay the other party on the spot. Now the police become involved. The police find that the two gringos are in the country "illegally. " The car is in the country "illegally. " The Mexican insurance may or may not apply to a rental car, due to said gringos not actually owning said car, and that said car is in Mexico illegally. Ahh, it gets more interesting as it goes on, doesn't it? The mind boggles just trying to imagine what bribes might be necessary to stay out of jail and perhaps be allowed to get back to the USA. Who knows if they would impound the car and when it might be released? Imagine having to pay some local for damage to his car, several cops to look the other way, a taxi to take you back to the border, and Hertz Rent-A-Car for the car that got impounded (never to be seen again) in Mexico. Damn, that's a vacation to tell your grandkids!

In Mexico, things are always great until they aren't. When the wheels come off, if you're not prepared, they can come off in a big way. You're both adults and can do as you wish. But objectively there is no pussy in Tijuana that is worth the risk of becoming entangled in scenario number 2. You'll be far better off to wait until you both have passports, and then Uber around Tijuana.

BTW, have you tried La Mansion for reservations?

[SaltShaker]

Reference Youtube. There is a nice video that goes into details about the chip.

The passport feels heavy too. On the front at the bottom is a small chip mark. I'll explain in my report (I should finish it at the weekend) what's changed. Thanks to Senator Dianne Feinstein for getting it done.

[Ath Trainer]

First time jin Tijuana in 2 yrs. My thoughts.

Border crossing. Only gringo. Almost walked right through. Stopped filled out form and left. Was confused when exiting but kept walking. Hit the taxis. Offered 10 dollars to ab. Turned it down, kept walking and got there for 5. Was asking for a tip, but no pressure.

Stopped in Chicago after 1200. Only guy but a girl was on stage. Only chica I saw. Ugh!

La Chevalis had decnt girls compared to ab not hk. Just did a walk through.

Smooth border crossing at 230 am. Not busy but busier than expected.

[SaltShaker]

My opinion, if you get kidnapped and you are important enough to send Team Six to get you out, it is a good thing.

The passport feels heavy too. On the front at the bottom is a small chip mark. I'll explain in my report (I should finish it at the weekend) what's changed. Thanks to Senator Dianne Feinstein for getting it done.

[Dickhead]

I expect it in the prison system within five years.

[Boriman]

...Soon they will be implanting chips in us physically, like they encourage you to do with your dog.

They are actually experimenting with chip implants in humans. You are not that far off from the truth.

[Dickhead]

With all due respect to Sen. Feinstein, I do not like that my passport now reveals my location to anyone with legitimate or illegitimate access to the system AND anyone who hacks into it. Soon they will be implanting chips in us physically, like they encourage you to do with your dog.

[LifeIsABeach]

I got my new passport renewal about 8 months ago and I don't see any read chip anywhere? I still have to go in line and show my passport I don't understand what changed?

The passport feels heavy too. On the front at the bottom is a small chip mark. I'll explain in my report (I should finish it at the weekend) what's changed. Thanks to Senator Dianne Feinstein for getting it done.

[DominicanMike]

I parked near otay border crossing (across parking lot next to ihop $8/24 hrs) and walked across otay border nothing to declare just me and a friend walked along Mexican walkway past the Mexican border patrol, really chill smooth walk depending on heat that day once across took cab Into central Tijuana. Upon returning got dropped off at otay border, walked to gate, showed ID and got sent to the right lane whicnis for throes with no passports and general documents when's thru in about 15-20 minutes tops. Only had my ID and birth certificate. Answered a few questions and was on my way.