twic card reader:

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by chalupa, Jan 13, 2011.

  1. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    I think this is the right place........

    Ran into my first TWIC reader today. Since issue...all they wanted to do was see it and some tap on it to validate it's authenticity. There are fakes that can be had just like your D.L. and S.S. and the guards think they have seen some...... so they tap on it.

    Anyway this reader setup costs the company some 30k and when it's fully up and running you're not getting in unless they can read the card. What's important here is your pin number. When you got your card you were asked to create a six to nine digit pin and this number was assigned to your card. The facility needs this number to access the chip.

    Don't remember your number? You get 10 tries before your locked out of the card. Don't do 10 !! You'll need to haul your butt down to the twic office and have a new pin assigned....takes about 7 days.

    Point to all this? I live on my card...gotta have it or I don't work. And I believe this reader will spill over to all twic facilities shortly.

    FYI....:biggrin_25511:
     
    rookietrucker Thanks this.
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  3. Lady K

    Lady K Road Train Member

    OK - newbie here - what is TWIC?? Is that the security thing to get into ports and other 'security' points?
     
  4. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    yes...........
     
  5. Alleycat

    Alleycat Light Load Member

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    I have mine scanned at ports & heliports & never was asked to enter a PIN. Must be something new. I wonder if TSA will let you get a new PIN if you contact them?
     
  6. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    and by the way, thanks to the o/p.....i DID forget my number but frankly i don't even need the card anyways....but i might someday.....i had to go and find my twic paperwork, and there was the number..
     
  7. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    TWIC is Transportation Worker Identification Credential issued by Homeland Security. Used to have to go to port to get one. I live near DFW TX so Houston area and other Gulf areas were only options. Last year they opened the Port of OK City, OK so that was a short hop. Get form on line-fill out-make appointment and show up. Go to Mikes Famous Burgers and head home. Week or two they call you to come pickup card in person. At this time they screw w/ you some more. Take prints again, and have you pick pin #. Go to Mikes Famous Burgers for another onion burger and head home. Lot of ports, military bases, other secure facilities require it. If you have HAZMAT it knocks the cost down 30-$50. Can't remember exact amount.
     
  8. Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

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    What yanks my chain is my TWIC card will not get me into the airport. I always have to wait for an escort and they treat me like crap.
     
  9. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Big Duker, it didn't knock my cost down any. I paid the full amount for both hazmat and TWIC. I was the first wave getting TWIC. Maybe they changed it because I did think it was a rip off for two seperate background checks.
    The TWIC office I went to in Chattanooga was a fly by night operation. New employees and an office comprised of two folding picnic tables and some stolen chairs.

    I been searched once, me and truck, afterwards which I thought was making the background check useless. Why need the card if you are going to be searched?
    My company required the TWIC, but yet time and time again I see them paying for an escort for other company drivers. But they won't pay for the TWIC.

    With all this crap, I'm dropping my hazmat and TWIC next renewal. I haul maybe 1-2 hazmat loads a year. Maybe 3-4 TWIC loads. They want me to keep it, then they can pay for it.

    All this port security is a waste of money. A ship can be compromised at the country it leaves from. A truck can be compromised enroute. A mexican can walk across the border. Nobody else can?

    Farmers don't need a CDL and have easy access to fertilizer and diesel. Heck if I was a terrorist, I would become a farmer for a couple years. Like most gov't programs, it has a bunch of holes in it.

    OP, thanks for the heads up. I forgot my pin. But I have an idea ;)
     
  10. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    The one is OK City is about the same. Inside a used truck dealership off I 40W. Here is link for cost. I think they raised it. Thought I saved more than this.
    http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#twic_cost

    This is just like you said. A waste of BIG money. Same outfit that is groping our privates at airports. A few nuts w/ boxcutters surprise us and we spend billions for nothing.
     
  11. rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Getting a FAST ID was more stringent than getting a TWIC ID. So basically, it's easier to get in the ports then leave the country. I've yet to figure that one out. :biggrin_25515:
     
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