opnspaces wrote:
Some really interesting opinions on this topic. I subscribe to the mantra of just don't give them a reason to cause me a delay while at the same time not give up my rights either.
Just came back from Yuma to San Diego about two weeks ago. Made sure I didn't have any fruits onboard. The Ag stop was about 30 seconds. Yes I flipped my sunglasses up onto my head as I'm rolling to a stop even though they are not law enforcement. And I always roll down both the drivers and and rear drivers side windows (factory tinted) so the inspector can see into the vehicle. The lady asked if I was bringing any fruits to which I said no. She asked me to pull forward a bit so she could check the drain plugs on the jet skis. I pulled forward a bit. She looked at the plugs and waved me on. Seriously a total of about 30 seconds.
At the ICE checkpoint I did the same thing, sunglasses up and windows down. I never even came to a full stop before the guy waved me on.
I'll keep doing this and let the inspector focus on the guy behind me in line that is adamantly keeping his sunglasses on and his tinted windows up to prevent that unauthorized visual search that the inspector is conducting from the doorway of his booth 5 feet away.
Similar. Depends upon the inspector, the line, and his mood.
A few years ago the Calexico border checkpoint was backed up and several agents were all over a van and a truck, tearing them apart. Very busy. The agent saw my California plate, gave me a quick visual, and waved me through without stopping. Did not even ask for passports. I shrugged, somewhat confused, and continued on my way north. Weird.