Port Search

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Phoenix Heavy Haul, Jul 17, 2023.

  1. Phoenix Heavy Haul

    Phoenix Heavy Haul Medium Load Member

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    Question…when would the port search your truck?
    Is it random, do you need to look shady, is there a list??

    I just got my TWIC so no more escorts woohoo…anyway I noticed what appears to be a truck search area at the Port of Jacksonville and saw they had a car hauler pulled in. I mainly run the southeast and do a fair amount of port pickup/drops. What’s the likelihood I’d get my truck searched?

    Reason I’m asking is I carry my pistol as I’m sure many drivers do. I’m not gonna go anywhere without it. Especially traveling out here this day and time.
     
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  3. 88 Alpha

    88 Alpha Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I was in and out of that port weekly for several years up until about 4 years ago. The truck inspections are entirely random and luck of the draw. The inspections were never very thorough, though.
     
  4. Phoenix Heavy Haul

    Phoenix Heavy Haul Medium Load Member

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    Thanks….I’ve been through many military base searches and always good. I know what to expect now.
     
  5. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    If you ever get run through the wringer and they find it you're gonna have a really bad day. A base down in Pensacola literally went thru every cabinet, nook and cranny inside the cab and my sideboxes. They were looking underneath the driveline with mirrors. Then I went to a base in Anniston and they were pretty lax in their search.
     
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  6. InTooDeep

    InTooDeep Donner party survivor

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    when I did ports a very short time. I used to slip my little something inside of my mattress. It has a little zipper and for some reason it just happened to have a space hollowed out in the middle.
     
  7. Phoenix Heavy Haul

    Phoenix Heavy Haul Medium Load Member

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    There were a couple times I was worried, But your right it varies base to base.
     
  8. Pepper24

    Pepper24 Road Train Member

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    Military bases I always declared my pistol to the guard they hold it at the point of entry and I get it coming back out.I’ve never went into the port very often and been at least 12 years since I have don’t remember anything about random searches so can’t help there.It’s not illegal to have one so I would call the port and ask.The one place I know you can’t have one at all is nuclear power plants if you deliver inside the fence I did that for a while and was told b4 pu not to have it on site.And they will check everything there it’s a couple hours b4 you will clear the check point
     
  9. Phoenix Heavy Haul

    Phoenix Heavy Haul Medium Load Member

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    I never knew I could declare it…wow Good to know.
     
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  10. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    the only problem with that is there can be times where you enter the base and exit at 2 different locations..
     
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  11. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    That is NOT a general rule. It may a base by base policy. For the love of God, get gun info from gun/legal experts and not some random dudes on the internet. None of us will visit you in jail if we are wrong or give you outdated info.
     
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