TWIC Cards

[Pablo]

Many of our customers are asking for drivers to have TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Cards) to pick up not only at ports, but "in the port zone" in the US. They have made FAST cards an acceptable substitute until April 15, 2009.

Are carriers actively getting their drivers to sign up for this? My understanding is it costs $60 per year.

I would appreciate any feed back on what any carriers are doing to comply with this or not.

 

[Rusk007]

You might want to check your info on the TWIC cards. I have taken 3 shipments into the New Jersey docks since the start of the New Year and Fast cards were not accepted. TWIC cards are the only thing that are accepted.

 

[Pablo]

Here it is right from the MTSA

At the owner/operators discretion, until April 15, 2009, truckers will be allowed to use their valid CDL with an HME or FAST credential along with proof of enrollment for a TWIC to gain unescorted access to secure areas of the facility. This allows truckers with a comparable threat assessment to be eligible for unescorted access while waiting for their TWIC, provided they have completed the enrollment process. To show proof of enrollment the individual must possess one of the following examples of documents, along with their valid HME on a CDL or FAST card, in order to gain unescorted access:
1) Providing the facility security officer (FSO), or other facility employee with security duties, with the individual’s TWIC application ID number, which can then be used on the “check card status” feature on www.twicinformation.com (acceptable statuses under this PAC include: application pending, card in production, card in transit, or card ready for activation); or
2) Provide the FSO, or other facility employee with security duties, a receipt from the enrollment center as proof of payment for enrollment.

 

[PT Campbell]

The TWIC program is nothing but a cash-grab for the US GOV. Why do we need a card to identify as a transportation worker? Sure, you can still be FAST approved and not be a tranportation worked, but come on, another $60 a year just to pick up in the ports?-

I have alot of loads out of MD, NJ, PA and NY that all require TWIC card driver.

My solution?

Charge the customer the $75-125 for the escort service that are commonly available to anyone who can pay by cash, T-Chek or Comadata. I either pay the escort service directly using T-Chek, or I just pay the carrier the agreed rate for the escort on top of their load rate.

Escort services in the ports became HUGE moneymakers for the guys that are doing it, and it's sad that we have to support this type of profiting that stems from a US cash grab.

They're getting paid $75-125usd just to take the trailer into the port, load it, and bring it back out to the poor driver who has never heard of a TWIC card.