Massive wait to renew HME/TWIC

I am a first time holder of HAZMAT & TWIC cards as of Dec 6 2014. I think it was about 4 weeks before that date I did the on line enrollment and a week after that did a walk in because they were booked for 45 days otherwise. I was told when I walked in that on line appointment people had priority but nobody was there so they took me right away.
By the Dec. date when I took my class A test I was able to have HAZMAT endorsement added.

First job is driving a heating oil truck and use the HAZMAT everyday but only had to show the TWIC card once when my rack card was entered into the system. Otherwise TWIC sits in my drivers folder with my other driving papers just in case I am asked for them.
Dave ----

 

i have 2 drug felony 4 misdemeanors 2 DUIS
had 14 outstanding warrants in 2001 when i quit drinking
and I have a TWIC
of course I am too dangerous for Canada

ports in Newark dont even accept TWIC

but thank gawd those bananas are safe in Camden when I pick them up
just another waste of time the country is so much safer now

 

Just another feel good federal boondoggle.

 

For anyone who REALLY needs the TWIC card, get your passport first. That speeds up the process a lot according to the office where I got mine. Took a little under two weeks to get my TWIC. They told me the passport sped up the process a LOT.

Do hazmat drivers get paid a lot more? Is the hazmat endorsement/TWIC worth it?

I have a brother-in-law who is an OTR driver and he said the hazmat endorsement is not worth it because you only get an extra 50 bucks per load. True?

 

The one and ONLY time I got my TWIT card, I was never told having the passport sped up anything. I think you were given a line of BS.

Not necessarily more money, but perhaps more loads at the same pay rate, while the non-hazmat driver loses that load over to you. As far as hazmat, I'd recommend that over a TWIT card, UNLESS your employer requires it. If an employer DOES NOT require it? Save your money, get it ONLY if when you change jobs, the NEW employer requires it and ASK for reimbursement! At the very least, save ALL your receipts for hazmat finger-printing, test taking(renewal time), and any TWIT cash outlay for your taxes. Those are job related expenses.

and for the record, I said in another posting, I worked as a construction site re-fueler a few years ago. I would have to go to the gasoline/diesel storage tank yard. I would have to go into the office to sign papers. The ONLY requirement there?

I NEEDED TO WEAR A HARD HAT!

I WAS NEVER ASKED to show my TWIT card!

I will NOT be renewing it, in fact, it expired 2 years ago, I still have the expired card, they never asked me to send it back to them.

$50 bucks, a little doe, a penny or 2 or 3 but maybe no more than 4, who knows. Each person will tell you what extra "he gets" for hauling hazmat, I'll nary believe a trucker and his pertinacity to say how much money he makes.

The only "true" statement in how much more hauling hazmat will come from an employer, when you seek employment.

All others, are un-documented stories.

 

I've had HM for a few years but decided to apply for the TWIC last month as I'll be moving on soon when I have 2 years. Some of the jobs I'm interested in require TWIC. Sure, I could wait until I'm hired, but having it will give me a tad more edge over other non-TWIC applicants, so I applied.

I located the nearest office via their website and walked in. No one was there so I was processed right away. If you already have HME you can pay $105.75 instead of the full price of $129. If you do that your TWIC will expire at the same time as your HME. So you decide, if you have close to 4 years remaining on your HME, it's worth it to pay the lower fee and save $25.

I was told I should have my TWIC in about a month. I have a passport but don't know if it makes a difference in processing time.

Safe driving

 

When I went to apply for the TWIC, I used my passport as ID and that was when the person told me that the passport would speed up the process a lot. I had no idea before I went. I usually use my passport for ID purposes since it carries more weight than a drivers license. I only use my drivers license if I get pulled over or renting a car.

 

I agree and do the same. Maybe that's why others have been told it's a long waiting time, but I was told I'd have it in about a month.

 

I used my passport as ID as well, made an appointment and went in person. Took just under two weeks for my TWIC card to arrive at my door.

 

Nice to see you around these parts... It's a small world, isn't