TWIC & Your License

Boasun · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009

I now have a TWIC card (Transportation worker Idenity Credential).
One thing; I don't like about it is that they put a picture of an old man on it.
I AM NOT THAT OLD! A tad amount of self delusion there
Second thing; The cost. $132.50 US for those who are already licensed.
Third thing; In order to renew my license I have to have that %$#@ TWIC card.

So it is to my understanding that you need the TWIC to renew or to acquire a Merchant Mariner's Credential... Yes they are changing that also. abandoning a system that worked for a century (license for officers and Z card for the unrated. Now it will be passport size (but is not a passport) and will show all of your endorsements from entry level (ordinary seaman/wiper) to the Upper levels (Unlimited Master / Chief Engineer).

klem · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boasun

So it is to my understanding that you need the TWIC to renew or to acquire a Merchant Mariner's Credential... Yes they are changing that also. abandoning a system that worked for a century (license for officers and Z card for the unrated. Now it will be passport size (but is not a passport) and will show all of your endorsements from entry level (ordinary seaman/wiper) to the Upper levels (Unlimited Master / Chief Engineer).

Are you saying that this passport like thing will replace the paper license or is a new version of the TWIC card? My TWIC card is a credit card sized thing. Two summers ago, I rushed through getting the card so that I would still be legal and then I have never once had to use it working commercially.

I can't wait to try to renew my license with the new centralized system. I have many friends who have been licensed for years and were rejected for things like slightly low blood pressure (this is on a very fit person). They had to appeal them and hire other licensed people during the appeal.

KindOfBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

The TWIC card will get you govt worker rates at hotels and other places that offer such discounts.

Boasun · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by KindOfBlue

The TWIC card will get you govt worker rates at hotels and other places that offer such discounts.

It does? Will have to try that.

Tempest · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

I tried it at a motel in Virginia....they looked at me in puzzlement....A Twic? what's that!

I managed to talk them into a 10% discount on the return trip.....

Boasun · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

I tried it at a motel in Virginia....they looked at me in puzzlement....A Twic? what's that!

I managed to talk them into a 10% discount on the return trip.....

Does that make you a TWICy Wabbit??

Tempest · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

indeed.......but not so TWICy...or I would have gotten the discount on the
1st half of my trip too....

1 for Elmer...1 for the Wabbit