Are You Afraid To Drive Into Mexico?

Is it true most American companies DON'T cross south of the border?

I have heard Mexico horror stories: federales, police corruption, crime, drugs, vice, kidnappings, killings, robbery and bad water.

I definitely would put on my application: "I don't drive into Mexico".

Canada: maybe, have not heard bad things about up there.

Oscar Graham wrote:

Is it true most American companies DON'T cross south of the border?

That is true.

Well I heard good things, good experiences, but like everywhere you have to be careful.

Oscar Graham wrote:

Is it true most American companies DON'T cross south of the border?

That is true.

Most companies have terminals or drop yards (custom yards, etc.) on THIS SIDE of the border. Occasionally, there will be a drop spot just on the other side of the border. I have RARELY HEARD of US company drivers, venturing deep into Mexico with a load (unlike Canada).

Yes - Mexico is INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. As are many towns THIS SIDE of the border.

I have friends that drop at yards on this side of the border (auto parts destined for factories in mexico), and pick up this side also (produce, food grade tanker).

McAllen, Texas is a very popular spot for cross-border freight.

I personally - wouldn't do loads across the border. Aside from personal safety - getting INTO Mexico is probably a LOT EASIER than coming back into the US (it usually is).

I'd do Canada in a heartbeat - Mexico, nah. Even the tourist spots have gotten very dangerous lately.

Rick

Oscar, the way freight goes both in and out of Mexico works like this: Most trucking companies have a drop yard in the major border towns, such as Laredo or El Paso. Freight coming out of Mexico is dropped at those yards by Mexican trucking companies, and picked up by American drivers who take it to it's final destination. The reverse is true for freight going in to Mexixo.

I've done this on numerous occasions. Every trucking company imaginable has a presence of some sort in Laredo. It is an easy process. When you go to Laredo to deliver there is no problem getting a load our of there because it is a major hub of truck load freight.

There are even some major Distribution centers in these border towns that are run by Mexican Freight companies. I've often times dropped flat-bed loads in Brownsville, TX and outside of San Diego, California at DC's which are then forwarded to their Mexican partners.

I don't know of any American drivers who are crossing the southern border in their big rigs these days.

And don't forget... While in Laredo if you show up early and a van pulls up and someone is holding up something warped in aluminum foil and asks if you want... The answer is yes... love the food vendors down there.

And don't forget... While in Laredo if you show up early and a van pulls up and someone is holding up something warped in aluminum foil and asks if you want... The answer is yes... love the food vendors down there.

OK, I wouldn't mind dropping/pick-up freight on the American side of the border. I would not not be brave enough to offer patronage to roach coaches from south of the border, however. Those "tin-foil trucks" that often cater to migrant farm workers. I will stick with an American deli sandwich.

And don't forget... While in Laredo if you show up early and a van pulls up and someone is holding up something warped in aluminum foil and asks if you want... The answer is yes... love the food vendors down there.

OK, I wouldn't mind dropping/pick-up freight on the American side of the border. I would not not be brave enough to offer patronage to roach coaches from south of the border, however. Those "tin-foil trucks" that often cater to migrant farm workers. I will stick with an American deli sandwich.

I work in California. Had a lot of trips to San Diego, but it was always on this side. And btw what documents do I need to move to Mexico?

And btw what documents do I need to move to Mexico?

You don't need no stinking documents!

Just come on across the border, they will find some reason to gladly make you a permanent resident.

And don't forget... While in Laredo if you show up early and a van pulls up and someone is holding up something warped in aluminum foil and asks if you want... The answer is yes... love the food vendors down there.

OK, I wouldn't mind dropping/pick-up freight on the American side of the border. I would not not be brave enough to offer patronage to roach coaches from south of the border, however. Those "tin-foil trucks" that often cater to migrant farm workers. I will stick with an American deli sandwich.

Oh, you'll be missing out on some fine food! Seriously, the best burritos and tamales I've ever had were sold to me by a person doing it on the sly from their car at a truck stop in Texas.

In addition to Laredo, El Paso, and San Diego, there are smaller places where freight to and from Mexico crosses, especially Eagle Pass / Piedras Negras for railroad parts and steel, and the McAllen / Reynosa area. I've heard a lot of drivers express fear about those areas, but personally I've never felt unsafe in those towns. I have taken a 10 hour break a hundred yards from the Rio Grande and been fine. They are truck towns. I'm sure bad stuff probably happens there to some truckers sometimes, but it seems to me that there are a lot of places farther north that are more dangerous for truckers.

On the other hand, I would never drive a truck into Mexico. My brother lived there about an hour from Mexico City for six years, and he says the border areas are not safe for anyone on the Mexican side. And trucks get stolen and taken over the border from Texas fairly frequently. So there's that.