Tell me about the I-19 checkpoint north of Tubac (rental car, transporting)

[GinnyFavers]

I've been reading a bit about all the controversy about the temporary/permanent Tubac checkpoint on I-19, but nobody ever says what their actual experience has been going through it.

Sounds like it won't slow you down much, but hubby is thinking about commuting up to Raytheon through it daily, and is concerned about sitting in traffic for long periods of time.

Can anyone comment?

Thanks in advance!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by GinnyFavers

I've been reading a bit about all the controversy about the temporary/permanent Tubac checkpoint on I-19, but nobody ever says what their actual experience has been going through it.

Sounds like it won't slow you down much, but hubby is thinking about commuting up to Raytheon through it daily, and is concerned about sitting in traffic for long periods of time.

Can anyone comment?

Thanks in advance!

Tough to predict, Ginny.

I doubt seriously if that one little "check-point" will have much effect on what's already gonna be a lousy commute.

Sometimes those check-points barely slow the flow and then the next time they seem to have everything backed up.

[GinnyFavers]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Tough to predict, Ginny.

I doubt seriously if that one little "check-point" will have much effect on what's already gonna be a lousy commute.

Sometimes those check-points barely slow the flow and then the next time they seem to have everything backed up.

Hmm, on another thread I asked about that commute, and the consensus was there wasn't much traffic. When you call it "lousy" are you merely referring to the length of it and the cost of gas?

[sierraAZ]

It's never slowed me down by more than a minute or two. Nobody comes to a complete stop. You're normally waived through. I guess if they find a vehicle suspicious they pull it to the side. I'm yet to see it happen.

[crazyme4878]

Ooh, but if you go through a check point at four in the morning, they have you open your trunk! That was the most exciting thing that I have ever had to do at one...you just get waived through. Well, if you are as white-a** as me, you do.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by GinnyFavers

Hmm, on another thread I asked about that commute, and the consensus was there wasn't much traffic. When you call it "lousy" are you merely referring to the length of it and the cost of gas?

I definitely wasn't part of that consensus, Ginny.

Let's just say that after driving in this area for over ten years, I would never consider a commute from Tubac to Raytheon.

As for the checkpoint . . . as others have posted, they are usually a "piece of cake" but they also can be a disaster.

[mdtoaz]

I've only been through it once, and it was in the evening. I don't think we even came to a complete stop. The officer shined the flashlight in my face and waved me through.

[miamiman]

The checkpoint isn't that big of a deal. If you're driving a rental car, they will ask you to open the trunk to see if you are transporting any drugs/people/etc. The agents have drug sniffing dogs and machine guns, but other than that, it is a breeze. Most of the Border Patrol agents are jerks, but every now and then you'll come across one who isn't.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by miamiman

.... Most of the Border Patrol agents are jerks, but every now and then you'll come across one who isn't.

Oh, not if you are a woman...they are quite nice to me!