TWIC whats it good for?

[stellarseas]

I thought I would start a thread about problems with security in US ports failing to recognize the TWIC card.<br><br>I have been to Port of Miami and Port Everglades and security will not recognize the TWIC as a form of identification. I assumed after the redundant fingerprinting and background check that I already had to obtain my MMD, and paying $140.00 to prove I am who I really am. I would have ultimate clearance to go anywhere in any port with NO HASSLES! <br><br>The opposite has happened in almost every port I have been to since being issued this card. instead of identifying myself with my TWIC, I get asked for my MMD, even my drivers license, and getting scutinized for at least 5 minutes by port security as they pass my TWIC around to the other officers like they have never seen one before! It wasnt good enough for them. I told them I just paid $140 for it, I thought it was good for something! WTF!?<br><br>Despite the fact that every mariner that holds a MMD is required to go through a background check and be fingerprinted, this isnt enough for the Department of Homeland Security.<br>Despite the fact the USCG is trying to simplify the all the documents and certificates etc. they will not stand behind the MMD as a form of identification.<br>Ultimately they want to phase out the MMD (Merchant Mariners Document) with a MMC (Merchant Mariners Credential) So you will no longer have a card to carry in your wallet showing you are a U.S. Merchant Marine. The MMC will be a fancy watermarked piece of paper, not a card.<br>Eventually they want to make it so the only documents you need to bring with you when joining a ship is an MMC (Merchant Marine Credential) that shows your endorsements etc. to show what your approved skills are, and rating, and your TWIC to show that you are really you.<br>Im just guessing here, but I think the MMC will not have a photo on it. The TWIC will be used to identify you, and thats it.<br><br>Has anyone else found the TWIC just as worthless? How many stupid looks have you got since you had to show this card every time you enter a US port? Any particular ports where you have been hassled or they failed to recognize the TWIC and opted for your MMD as ID, as has been done for decades?<br><br>Post your gripes here.

[tengineer]

I was one of the early ones to get a TWIC and haven't been asked for it yet. Ports I've entered have been all over the USA and not once have I been asked to produce it. Normally I don't tell anyone I have it as they may get confused, however, just for fun I've asked some of the security people when they were going to start requiring it and they had no idea what I was talking about.<br> This is another 'feel good' Homeland Security boondoggle which primarily benefits the contractor, Lockheed Martin, at the expense of the US transportation worker. The fact that it is now required for you to renew your license is easy to understand once you realize that Admiral James Loy was in charge of the USCG when all this was mandated; he has since retired and now sits on the Lockheed-Martin board of directors.

[jdcavo]

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[Capt Brian]

The only time I have used my TWIC card is to "baffle" the TSA in the airport. It is fun to watch the look on their face when you hand them that. But, I have never been asked for another ID to date. Nothing like putting the cart before the horse on this "project".

[mike22]

jdcavo, next time "back-up" the TWIC with your Z-card then taken a picture of the look on his face for this forum!

[seadog!]

Security at REC Boston won't accept an MMD to get in the building, go figure.<br><br>At an oil dock down in West Palm Beach our crew was asked for our TWIC's, we all had them. But security didn't examine them, just wanted to know if we HAD them. Then they wanted our MMD's to check against their access list. One guy had left his on the boat and they accepted his drivers license.<br><br>It's a crazy world.

[Jemplayer]

No the real fun starts when they start putting the computers on the
boats and every person is supposed to put there card in it to be read
as they board. As I understand it anybody who has to be on the dock is
supposed to have one, even the oil field hands if there to ride a boat.
Going to be a lot of fun for us crewboat guys when these guys start
showing up and we cant let them ride because of they don't have their
TWIC. I'm interested to see how many of these yard hands will be with
out a job because they dont qualify for a TWIC because of the bad
desicions in there background? <br><br>As for the original question,
there not good for a dam thing except to take up space in my wallet. It
was a bad idea passed in the mass hysteria of post 9/11. It's possible
a good idea, just f`ed up like everything else Washington gets its
hands on, and its not made any better when there's a good dose of greed
thrown in for good measure. <br><br>I mean really when the guards who
are supposed to know what these things are look at you like your an
alien being when you present them with one, how safe does that make you
feel. I mean hell I should be able to present my TWIC at the airport
and be let through with none of that remove the shoes, empty the
pocket, take the computer out of the bag crap. The TWIC was sold as
"Hey this person has a TWIC, they are not a terroroist." <br><br>I
think its a good idea to know hows working at the docks and making sure
they are who they say they are, but asking the mariners to go through
this when most of us here have already gone through even more stringent
back ground checks to get our MMD's and license should be down right
criminal. And as I understand it most truck drivers, especially those
that are licensed to carry hazardous materials go through similar
checks with the DMV before being issued there license. <br><br>So I guess when I'm trying to say is that they should have taken another year and thought this one through.

[stellarseas]

Port of Ft. Lauderdale 10-07-08<br><br>Presented my TWIC at the outer gate, then asked for my MMD, then asked for my drivers license number and drivers license, While this info was entered into a computer data base by a member of the Broward County Sherrif's Dept. who can only type with one-finger-hunt-and-peck-style, Then a temporary adhesive badge was printed to put on my shirt to get through the NEXT gate. <br><br>Ok, this had to be done 4 times because I was returning to the ship with 3 other shipmates. This whole ordeal took about 10-15 minutes to enter the facility on foot.<br><br>Meanwhile there was another gate on another street that was letting all kinds of taxis and private cars drive right in!<br><br>Anyhow, this is all just to get to a SECOND gate where I handed them everything. My TWIC, MMD, My Drivers License, and the adhesive badge they printed up for me. <br><br>I even asked if they accepted Credit Cards!<br><br>Anyhow, after that we had our ship security, but they all know me, so that was no problem.<br><br>All I wanted was to go out for a few hours, get a burger, a beer, and watch some Monday Night Football...<br><br>