No longer can the "last minute" appointment be made. Just found that out when in Chicago two weeks ago at an Academy Information event. It's because of the TWIC card and the time it takes to do the background check, etc. They used to make last minute appointments, but the closer Indoc comes the less chance a person can be appointed. I don't know the time frame for the Academy to make new appointments after the "accept/reject" deadline.
No longer can the "last minute" appointment be made. Just found that out when in Chicago two weeks ago at an Academy Information event. It's because of the TWIC card and the time it takes to do the background check, etc. They used to make last minute appointments, but the closer Indoc comes the less chance a person can be appointed. I don't know the time frame for the Academy to make new appointments after the "accept/reject" deadline.
Isn't that just school policy though? They could still accept someone knowing they don't yet have a TWIC with the caveat that they will be disenrolled if they cannot get one. It's not like they won't have the time to get one before sea year.
Of course, one could always just go and get the TWIC anyway and let the school know you have one. I would think this would help move you up the list if not put you at the top.
Hey, at TWIC has other uses besides maritime. I used mine to get through airport security.
I tried to use mine once and the TSA worker had no idea what it was. I told him it was issued by his agency and was listed on their website as an acceptable form of ID but he still called his supervisor over.
I use mine as a coaster. It does a great job at keeping those ugly coffee stains off my tables.
I think this thread still should stay open. No one is throwing stuff anymore as I see it. The last 3 entries have valuable information. I like the idea of getting the TWIC. Lets take that one step further. Before getting it, I'd advise a call to the academy to ask if getting a TWIC card before a last minute Appointment is worth doing and in the long run make a difference in case a last minute comes. I think even asking the academy when the latest cut off date for them to make last minute appointments is. Just saying. Calls can't hurt! Moms and dads, leave it to your ds (dear son) or dd (dear daughter) to place that call.
There is definitely a disparity in their use between Oil Industry and everywhere else. I never had to show mine once going up and down the east coast when not moving oil. I showed it several times in the gulf ports, but even then the guards usually said a drivers license was enough. Houston was the most dedicated to requiring it.
Yeah, well I still have yet to see a reader that is working properly, though. I usually have to give the gate guard both my TWIC AND Driver's License. Like the FEDERALLY ISSUED TWIC doesn't have my picture and name on it. . . .
Everything works in Panama ... for the right price.Hey, according to the movie "Contraband", it works at Panamanian ports, too. . . .
Sure "C" rip a scab off one of my own ad one of your very accomplished classmates' pet peeves - because of how TSA has conducted/administrate this program and chooses to interprete the applicable USCG Rule and associated CFR, etc. the only use of this $135.00 badge is as what the credentialing industry calls a "sight badge." Worse yet, then expose loations an instances where industry and/or the Government doesn't even trust it to do that - despite the fact it contains biometric information that could easily be read and compared to numerous PACS (electronic security systems) databases using numerous readily vaible Commercial Off The Shef badge readers - or between your actual fingerprints and the data on the Card with other readily available readers. All frankly because IMO they (TSA) were led down a rathole by the prior, not even current industry contractor when the program was still in the prototype phase.
Trust me - it wouldn't take much for the current contractor or either of two consortia that exisist to implement a program that industry (Terminal Operators, etc.) would support and that could easily be cost justified by them to pay those players to enable them to use their current TWIC cards as those employee and stakeholders security badges at neumerous locations and facilities they currently absorb costs to provide and maintain their own interal company badges and credentials in addition to the cost of TWIC. It's been a cause/item the two of us and others have picked up and Quixototically tilted at from time to time over the past 6+ years - basically whenever we thought we might get TSA permission, not even outright support, to do so....