Driving in Mexico

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rayodeluz, Jun 22, 2010.

  1. rayodeluz

    rayodeluz Heavy Load Member

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    Another question popped while I was checking out Swift. They own Trans-Mex in Mexico. Has anybody ever had to haul a load through Mexico and if so can you relay the experience? And is it possible to request permanent work there?

    I'll respond right now to some commentaries and questions that I know will come my way with these questions. I know the crime rate is higher, and I'm sure trucks can be prime targets. I'm aware of the drug violence going on down there. I'm sure I can expect the equipment to be less-than-standard of that in the USA. The reason I would consider it though is that I've lived there for most of the past 4 years. I know what to expect in a lot of cases. My fianceé is Mexican, lives there, and we're getting married very shortly. After we get married we need to get her papers togther so she can legally come to the states, but I was just thinking of the possibilty of my moving and working there permanently (I'm looking at all options, no matter how outrageous they sound or seem). Another thing is cost-of-living. In the USA it's tough to live on 28 cpm, but that and 2000 miles will let you live better than 35 cpm and 3000 miles in most place in the US. Not saying I'll do this, but I'm just trying to check out all possibilities and get as much info as possible. Thanks.
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I guess you know most loads from the U.S. that go into Mexico are transferred at the border to a Mexican Carrier/driver. The trailer goes, but not the Gringo driver or the power unit. 5 of my seven ex-wives are Mexican and I love the people and culture, but, I gotta tell you, you won't see me in Mexico anytime soon, what with all the drug violence and lawlessness.
     
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  4. rayodeluz

    rayodeluz Heavy Load Member

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    Actually i didn't know about the transfer of loads...that's why I'm a newbie asking sometimes silly questions! And I totally understand why you don't want to go down there right now. I'm headed there on Monday for a few months because my fianceé snd I are getting married, but I wouldn't go back right now if it weren't for her. Thank you for your response.
     
  5. spinpsychle

    spinpsychle Medium Load Member

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    I unloaded in Laredo once. There are lots of companies in the "forwarding" business down there. By forwarding they mean taking the freight off an American trailer and later on putting it on a Mexican one. Mexican trucks are allowed ten miles into the country from what I've heard.
     
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  6. phroziac

    phroziac Road Train Member

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    If you drive in mexico make sure you keep your landing gear crank in the cab.
     
  7. Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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    I used to driver for Melton and took a couple loads into Laredo to go across the border. Basically, you won't be going across. I never heard of American drivers going across anyway. It's all Mexican drivers coming over to this side to pick the loads up, either on their own trailers or, as Melton did, on trailers of the company you work for. Be aware, if you pick up a trailer that crossed the border you better inspect the hell out of it. I saw 2 of Melton's that came back and I'm surprised they left rubber on the tires.
     
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  8. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Just go to Laredo for a day and get it out of your system! Thousands of people are risking their lives everyday to get across the border to live and work here. I am sure one of them would trade places with a silly gringo!
     
  9. rayodeluz

    rayodeluz Heavy Load Member

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    If you´re addressing my original post, then it´s obvious you didn´t read all of it. As I´ve said, I´ve lived in Mexico for 4 years so I know what it´s like here, and I gave legitimate reasons for thinking about it. And again to reiterate, I´m trying to be thorough by exploring ALL possibilties not matter how far fetched they may sound at first. Not doing that is what´s silly.
     
  10. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    No us trucking companies do not send there tractor and driver across the border. Its bad enough the trailers get stripped when there down, a tractor you'd be lucky to get the frame back.
     
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