YES THEY PAT DOWN IF YOU GET SENT TO A SECONDARY CUSTOMS SEARCH. AND IT IS NOT A PLEASENT THING, BUT THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE EVER SEARCHED MY WITH ARE DOGS, THEY NEVER WENT RIPPING SHIT APART , GO TO ROSARITO SPEND A NIGHT THERE IN A NICE HOTEL GO OUT DO SOME CLUBBING GET YOUR GEAR AND COME HOME, THAT WAY YOU HAVE A NICE STORY TO TELL AND LOOK ALOT LESS LIKE YOUR DOING WHAT YOUR DOING . IF YOUR CONTENT ON BRINGING GEAR ACCROSS IM SURE YOU CAN FIND A PLACE TO HIDE IT, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DO!