TWIC Experience 2.0 (much better)

Published: March 31st, 2008 by Richard | Comments |

twic card

Four weeks ago, I had my original TWIC enrollment experience. The post is here.

Today I picked up my TWIC. Last Thursday I went online to see if the card was ready and the info said yes. I printed out the form and made an appointment to pick up the card for Monday at 08:15.

On Friday, I was close to the enrollment office (very close the $3.32 per gallon gas on the reservation - the lowest in town) in my hometown of Anacortes WA and decided to stop by to see if I could pick up the card. There was one person being processed and one person in line. Cool, I figured. The clerk asked if I had an appointment, I said no. When pressed to see if anyone had an appointment after the guy in the que, she said they didn’t know and I’d have to take my chances. What? A computerised system and the local office didn’t have access to the data base of appointments. Correct.

This morning’s experience was much better than I could have anticipated:

08:00 Arrival for 08:15 appointment

08:07 Seated for processing

08:16 Out the door with TWIC in hand

It is interesting, that they used my fingerprint to call up my record. I never gave my name.

You can check the status of your TWIC and make appointment to pick it up, if it’s ready, here.

Editorial Note: For an audio account of the TWIC experience click HERE

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Categories: Regulations

Tags: · twic

Richard Milliot

I have a better story.
I applied for TWIC on 04 Feb.
Credit card was charged on 04 Feb.
I checked website periodically, not getting to worried.
After 8+ weeks, I called the ONLY number they have. Waited 30 minutes to talk to forst representative, who confirmed what my computer told me: I WAS NOT ENROLLED.
Waited 60 minutes to talk to next rep, who once again confirmed that I WAS NOT ENROLLED. And it will take approx. 3 more weeks to figure out why.
THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIGITAL SYSTEM. HOW AM I NOT ENROLLED?
THEY TOOK MY PICTURE, MY FINGERPRINT AND SCANNED MY NICE NEW PASSPORT.
But the charge showed up that *&^%$$ day!
Does anyone know who/how to complain about this ridiculous situation?

Jeffrox

I wonder why they insist we "pick the card up in person"? We can get a passport, drivers license, Social Security card, Green Card, etc etc. through the mail. There must be somebody's job security involved with making us pick it up. Just more Govt burdunsome BS. IMHO.