The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Rob Pincus on April 13, 2009, 01:48:09 PM
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I just got through the latest firearms travel debacle...... Venting needed:
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Generally, I try to keep air travel with firearms to a bare minimum because of things like this. I am heading down to Texas for a week of taping for the PDV DVD series that includes a title covering Sub-Compact Firearms and their use... especially the non-typical guns in calibers under 9mm. I decided to through a collection of miscellaneous pocket pistols into a nice locking metal rifle case and take them with me so I would have a diverse array of operating procedures to cover. Little did I know that Continental airlines enforces a limit on the number of firearms per case! So when the lady at the counter is horrified my the mish-mashed collection in my case, she calls over a supervisor who quotes some obscure regulation saying the number is Five.
Rob: "Really? I've traveled with a lot of guns and never heard that before.... is it just your airline?"
Guy: "No, that is a federal rule."
Rob: "Really? Because sometimes I hear that certain airline or airport rules are universal, but they aren't.... like the Denver rule about going to a separate room ro check in guns, lots of clerks in Denver think that is the rule everywhere."
Guy: "Well some rules aren't always enforced."
Rob: "Do we need to enforce this one now?"
Guy: "Absolutely. And the only reason I know it is is because I'm kinda the "gun guy" around here.... one time I had a passenger going to England with a squirrel gun... blah, blah, blah......"
So I call my wife back to the airport, she comes in and collects three pieces that I can probably scrounge up down in TX (NAA, Derringer and my carry J-frame).
I finallly get checked in and take the case with my other bag to TSA.
TSA: " How's it going today, sir?"
Rob: "Great, but I just found out that there is a limit to the number of guns I can have in a case."
TSA: "That's news to me. Who told you that?"
Rob: "Continental guy... never heard of it before, but I thought maybe it was new."
TSA: "yeah, well the airlines sometimes just make up their owns rules, but thats not one I've ever heard before... I certainly wouldn't have stopped you from having as many as you could fit in there!"
So, if you happen to purchase the Sub-Compact DVD and I don't demonstrate with a Derringer, blame Continental! ;)
*****
There, I feel better now.
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Rob: "Do we need to enforce this one now?"
I would've LOVED to hear that line in person...it sounds SOOOO funny in my head. ;D
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TSA: "yeah, well the airlines sometimes just make up their owns rules, but thats not one I've ever heard before... I certainly wouldn't have stopped you from having as many as you could fit in there!"
While it may not do any good, it may make you feel better...write a letter to the corporate office of Continental... emphasize the detriment to your business.
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I always loved this sign
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From the Continental website...
Firearms
Continental accepts one item of shooting equipment per customer as checked baggage. One item of shooting equipment is defined as one hard-sided shooting equipment case containing up to five firearms, with or without scopes, 11 lbs (five Kgs.) of ammunition and articles used in the firearm sport.
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THanks, Don.... that reminds me of the United counter girl who told me that I should have gone to the website to find out that United recommends arriving 2 hours early when you are checking "special items"..... I missed that flight and the luggage with the gun case got lost!
GMG,
I thought it was funny too... they did not. They also really weren't comfortable with the idea that I didn't actually know how many guns were in the case in the first place.... but it probably would've sounded funny when I said " seven or eight".... and followed it up with "I just threw a bunch in there this morning".... that was before the supervisor guy came over.....
-RJP
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Along these lines, how does one travel from state to state with checked handguns? I've not been on a plane since 1997 so I'm a little rusty in this regard. Have no plans in the near future but can someone link me to an informational site that explains the law, Federal regulation, etc.....
From the direction this thread comes from it's obvious that the airlines don't have a common procedure and that doesn't suprise me.
thanks in advance....MI and MO are two places I would be interested in most because not only do I visit there on occasion, both states recognize my CCW from this silly communist outpost we call Massachusetts. ::)
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In theory, you show up with a lockable metal case with unloaded guns. You can have up to 11 pounds of commericially loaded ammo in its original box(es) in a separate piece of luggage. If you are carrying a pistol, you can have a small metal case inside a larger piece of luggae, but that luggage still can't contain ammo.
I've heard that Boston, NYC and Chicago (maybe others) have decided that you CANNOT have firearms at the airport even if you are legally transporting them through those cities from and to legal spots. This could become an issue if you got bumped from a connection in Chicago, for example, and had to spend the night. When you go back the next morning to check in your guns, you are in violation of law. Don't know if it has happened yet....YMMV.
As noted, you could call the airline/airport to get specific nuances, but I've found them to be inconsistent as well. The guy you talk to on Tuesday may not have the same procedure as the person who is working the counter on Wednesday. You can always print out the rules and regs from a website and carry them with you... but at the end of the day, if the person at the counter makes something up in their head, it is you that misses the flight regardless of your preparation and intentions.....
-RJP
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I wonder if it has to do with the value( or thier idea of what guns are worth) and thier insurance. Thats a very strange policy.
Then again, I had a gun case run over by something, it took me months to get money out of amiercan.
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In theory, you show up with a lockable metal case with unloaded guns. You can have up to 11 pounds of commericially loaded ammo in its original box(es) in a separate piece of luggage. If you are carrying a pistol, you can have a small metal case inside a larger piece of luggae, but that luggage still can't contain ammo.
-RJP
I was always told that you could have the ammo in the same case as the firearm, just in its orginal box. Nothing on the TSA website, or any of the airlines websites that I have checked specify that the ammo has to be in a different piece of luggage. Did I miss something, or is that just a practice you do in order to avoid issues with the airlines? When travel to states where I can CCW, I use a small case that has the handgun, a box of 20 rounds, two magazines all together in a locked metal case. Only one airline, here in California, gave me any grief over it. Other states (that were part of the same airline) said, that is stupid to have it separate (or without ammo) as how are you supposed to use it once you arrive?
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I am SOOO glad my job changed and I don't have to fly anymore.
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Sounds like it might be time for Rob to get his private pilot's license.
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In theory, you show up with a lockable metal case with unloaded guns. You can have up to 11 pounds of commericially loaded ammo in its original box(es) in a separate piece of luggage. If you are carrying a pistol, you can have a small metal case inside a larger piece of luggae, but that luggage still can't contain ammo.
.....
-RJP
Does the case have to be metal? I've flown with plastic in the past with no problem, but that was pre-911. I'm thinking of visiting a cousin in Alaska and want to know if I need to be on the look out for a used metal case.
FQ13
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I've heard that Boston, NYC and Chicago (maybe others) have decided that you CANNOT have firearms at the airport even if you are legally transporting them through those cities from and to legal spots. This could become an issue if you got bumped from a connection in Chicago, for example, and had to spend the night. When you go back the next morning to check in your guns, you are in violation of law. Don't know if it has happened yet....YMMV.
PLEASE BE ADVISED ! YOU RISK IMMEDIATE ARREST IF FLYING THRU NY AIRPORTS AND YOU DON'T HAVE A VALID NYS PISTOL PERMIT !!!
The following is from the New York State Rifle & Pistol Assoc website "Warning about airports" link. http://www.nysrpa.org/ Warning about traveling through New York airports
From NRA:
The District Attorney in Albany County and Queens 18 months ago issued an order to arrest anyone coming through the airports with a handgun in their luggage, regardless if the handgun was being transported properly by FAA regulations. The criteria is if you do not have a NY license, you are charged. So what's happening is 2 different scenarios:
1. People are flying into New York from other states, most but not all of whom have carry permits from their home states, and are carrying a pistol. When they go to fly home, they declare the gun, which has always been unloaded and locked up properly in their checked luggage, but if they cannot produce a NY license, they are promptly charged with illegal weapon possession, and their gun confiscated forever. (The Albany airport sheriff has been doing it as a lower class misdemeanor, the LaGuardia cases were charged as a felony.) As their home state permit is not reciprocal, and they were in NY state for an amount of time carrying a handgun, this group is screwed.
2. People are DRIVING to the airport from another state where the NY airport is their closest one to fly out of, and are getting popped right off the bat an hour or two from their home. In these cases, we are going to war for them being covered by FOPA, even the Sheriff's office and TSA in Albany have argued over that with the DA, but he won't budge. He did, however, blink on the two cases from Albany, with the people getting a walk. Didn't get their guns back, though, either time.
Bottom line, UNLESS you are in possession of a VALID New York pistol license, DO NOT bring a handgun in your luggage to the airport, you will be charged.
This is not being done in any other state in the country except at Logan international in Boston, (same thing there) but even at O'Hare in Illinois, if you come in from another state and meet FAA guidelines, they feel you are covered by FOPA and off you go a happy camper.
Reminder to Travelers of Requirements for Transporting Firearms, Firearm Parts and Ammunition on Commercial Aircraft
Passengers are prohibited from carrying firearms, firearm parts and ammunition. Federal regulations administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibit the carriage of firearms and guns, as well as parts of firearms and guns (such as magazines or clips, bolts, firing pins, and other components), in the traveler's possession or in carry-on luggage on commercial aircraft. Ammunition also is NOT allowed as a carry-on item. Carrying even a single round of ammunition through airport security checkpoints is a violation of regulations. TSA regulations are strictly enforced. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and imposition of civil penalties of up to 10.000 per violation.
Checked baggage requirements for transporting firearms and ammunition. All persons carrying firearms and ammunition in checked baggage, including Law Enforcement Officers, must comply with the provisions of 49 CFR ยง 1540.111. Following is a summary of key requirements of this section and other regulatory provisions.
All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process. Travelers with firearms should check-in at the ticket counter and not use electronic check-in (e.g., kiosks or the Internet).
All declared firearms must be unloaded and transported in a locked hard-sided container. Travelers are advised to place all firearm parts in a locked hard-sided container to avoid violations.
Access to the declared firearm must be restricted, with only the passenger possessing the container combination or key to the lock. In the event TSA must open the container for inspection, it is preferred that the passenger turn over the key or combination to the screener.
Any ammunition transported must be placed in checked baggage and securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm as long as it is properly packed as described here.
It is also recommended that the ammunition package in checked baggage be stabilized, either by tapping it to the interior wall of the bag, or by use of packing material or other means to ensure the ammunition package does not move about the interior of the bag during transportation.
Black powder, including Pyrodex, and percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms are not permitted on board aircraft, either as accessible property or in checked baggage.
Travelers should also contact their air carrier before arrival for check-in regarding its firearm and ammunition policies.
Additional information about the carriage of firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, as well as other air travel tips, can be found at www.tsa.gov or by contacting the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or by email at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov
DIRECT CONTACT/S:
Jerry Henderson, Federal Security Director, 501-372-8376
Charles "Chuck" Polk, Stakeholder Manager, 501-912-6028
Letter from Department of Justice to Congressman Donald Young on this issue.
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Did I miss something, or is that just a practice you do in order to avoid issues with the airlines? When travel to states where I can CCW, I use a small case that has the handgun, a box of 20 rounds, two magazines all together in a locked metal case.
Yes and no. I traveled with a TSA approved plastic container for I don't know how many flights. The container is placed inside my regular luggage. Never a peep from anyone. Then the last time I flew, the TSA guy says open it up. I have a loaded mag in the gun. He says "well you just need to put the mag down into your luggage and only the gun in the container. So I do and off I go. I didn't volunteer there was one in the pipe! I will indeed ensure I know the current policies of both the TSA and the airline next time I fly...and follow those polices.
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I think it was on this forum some where that an announcement from TSA cleared that up.
As I remember, empty gun but rounds in same case was OK.
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From TSA...
You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
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So today, TSA at Houston told me that I couldn't fly with a metal case that I've been traveling with for over a decade. I had to buy an "approved" case with metal edges, but 90% plastic surface in order to fly to ohio with my limit of 5 guns. $85 for the crappy case and $100 for the "extra" piece of luggage.
Unreal.
-RJP
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I've never had an issue with TSA. I have even found out that those guys have a sense of humor. The only time I saw anything out of TSA was when a counter agent sent me over with my guns by myself - The counter agent is supposed to escort you, and in some airports actually carry the gun case.
TSA has the ammo pounds rule. However, Minneapolis puts a limit on the number of rounds that is exactly half the weight (in .45 acp). I found out they don't like it when you take the surplus back out to the pick up in the ramp.
I have always understood the five gun rule, but the last time I flew I took four in one case. It was no problem in Minneapolis, and it was no problem at the counter in Phoenix. However, while sitting and waiting to board, with my Kalispel case on the tarmac, the XYZ airline "gun guy" called me up over the PA and made a big deal about five guns in one case (I bought one in AZ). He claimed that it is max of five with no more than two in each case. When I asked how I was supposed to get them back home, and he learned that I had flown down there that way, he explained that he WAS the "gun guy" and he would bend the rule, but don't ever try it again. By this time everyone on the plane knows that I am some redneck son of a bitch and wondering what kind of arsenal I have in the cargo hold. Way to keep the public calm dude!
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"By this time everyone on the plane
knows thinks that I am some redneck son of a bitch and wondering what kind of arsenal I have in the cargo hold."
Some of us don't have a problem with that Mike! ;)
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I had to buy an "approved" case with metal edges, but 90% plastic surface in order to fly to ohio with my limit of 5 guns.
Metal edges?? My old case is all plastic. I wonder if I can get past TSA now? This is madness. All designed to discourge us from traveling with firearms.
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"designed" implies organization.... the problem is the lack of just that thing. Give me a clear set of rules or procedures and I'll follow them or manipulate them to my liking... but when one hourly employee or another gets to make crap up as they go along, it creates hassles.
-RJP
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By this time everyone on the plane knows that I am some redneck son of a bitch and wondering what kind of arsenal I have in the cargo hold. Way to keep the public calm dude!
Anybody worried over the number of guns you have in the cargo hold would piss themselves if they saw your gun room!! ;D
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So today, TSA at Houston told me that I couldn't fly with a metal case that I've been traveling with for over a decade. I had to buy an "approved" case with metal edges, but 90% plastic surface in order to fly to ohio with my limit of 5 guns. $85 for the crappy case and $100 for the "extra" piece of luggage.
Unreal.
-RJP
wtf.
I would be real temped to mail my guns back to myself.(which is legal under federal law, states may differ)
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Remember the days when you would show up without an apporved case, and they would "rent" you one for five or ten bucks? They were really nice cases, and I didn't find out that everyone just kept them until after they quit the practice. Sure wish I had a couple of them now.
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I really does seem like with amount hassels described, and extra baggage fees that just mailing them might be easier. Probably $25 dollars to an FFL to hold them and then whatever the UPS store wants to ship them and maybe a beter chance of them being there when you are.
Still a shame, it used to be so easy.
FQ13
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I love air planes but I will not fly Commercial ever again. I'll drive thumb or take a bus.
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I really does seem like with amount hassels described, and extra baggage fees that just mailing them might be easier. Probably $25 dollars to an FFL to hold them and then whatever the UPS store wants to ship them and maybe a beter chance of them being there when you are.
Still a shame, it used to be so easy.
FQ13
with long guns its no big deal, you can ship them USPS. now shiping a hand gun to a FFL, must go 3rd party and overnight. Oddly enough, you can ship a hand gun back to yourself, USPS. now a FFL can ship a hand gun USPS to anyone.
Yeah I know, no logic there...
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with long guns its no big deal, you can ship them USPS. now shiping a hand gun to a FFL, must go 3rd party and overnight. Oddly enough, you can ship a hand gun back to yourself, USPS. now a FFL can ship a hand gun USPS to anyone.
Yeah I know, no logic there...
Tab
I'm not sure this is true about handguns. I recently sent one off for repair, and one to a dealer for a trade. They both had to be sent to an ffl, but as you say diectly back to me on the repair. Neither dealer indicated that it had go through another dealer and they both didn't say anything about overnight. This might be a state law thing, but still necessary to be aware of. AAARGH! This should be easy! >:(
FQ13
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The mailing option just isn't practical when you are 3 places in one week... or more.
This trip is TX 4 days, Oh 3 days, LA 2 days, OH 2 days, OK 2 days, Home.... Unless I shipped different guns to each spot... and then repeated the same process every 2 weeks...
Luckily, I don't usually try to go through this hassle. This trip is a reminder of why I stopped trying to always travel with a gun.
-RJP
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Tab
I'm not sure this is true about handguns. I recently sent one off for repair, and one to a dealer for a trade. They both had to be sent to an ffl, but as you say diectly back to me on the repair. Neither dealer indicated that it had go through another dealer and they both didn't say anything about overnight. This might be a state law thing, but still necessary to be aware of. AAARGH! This should be easy! >:(
FQ13
FQ, Have the post office check their Regulations there was some thing posted about this in another thread but I don't remember the details.
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From a LEO Stand point it is such a pain in the a$$ for us to fly with a firearm that anymore I just dont,when having to fly on prisoner extraditions. And flying back with a prisoner could be a whole new thread by its self. >:(
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Last time I flew to see my parents in Alabama I took some guns along. No big deal going down. Coming
home out Birmingham airport I told the clerk checking bags I had firearms to declare. She very nicely and
in a loud voice announced,"Oh, are you a marshall taking your gun on the plane?" I had to explain "no" ,
but lots of ears around already heard.
I had to make sure I was in baggage claim early in case someone tried to get "grabby".
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Tab
I'm not sure this is true about handguns. I recently sent one off for repair, and one to a dealer for a trade. They both had to be sent to an ffl, but as you say diectly back to me on the repair. Neither dealer indicated that it had go through another dealer and they both didn't say anything about overnight. This might be a state law thing, but still necessary to be aware of. AAARGH! This should be easy! >:(
FQ13
USPS Regs allow long guns to go between any two parties. Handguns may only go FFL to FFL. No overnight requirement with USPS, can go parcel post for all we care, but there is a signature requirement. Best bet is send it number insured for value of the firearm, and no they MAY NOT mark the box in any way to designate the contents.
-Max
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USPS Regs allow long guns to go between any two parties. Handguns may only go FFL to FFL. No overnight requirement with USPS, can go parcel post for all we care, but there is a signature requirement. Best bet is send it number insured for value of the firearm, and no they MAY NOT mark the box in any way to designate the contents.
-Max
I think we may have found the source of the confusion. I always go UPS with guns. Different rules I believe.
FQ13
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FFL do not have to send hand guns overnight. normal people do.
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Regular folks can ship guns including handguns by UPS to an FFL no problem. IMO they're less likely to lose it than the USPS is. When I went on vacation last fall I put my mail on hold for a week. It was finally delivered 5 months later, and some is still missing.
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The mailing option just isn't practical when you are 3 places in one week... or more.
This trip is TX 4 days, Oh 3 days, LA 2 days, OH 2 days, OK 2 days, Home.... Unless I shipped different guns to each spot... and then repeated the same process every 2 weeks...
Luckily, I don't usually try to go through this hassle. This trip is a reminder of why I stopped trying to always travel with a gun.
-RJP
You just need to bite the bullet and go ahead and buy your own plane. ;D
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You just need to bite the bullet and go ahead and buy your own plane. ;D
Great idea. I just read in our local paper that Greg Norman is cutting back and selling his 727. Think of the DRTV charter trips Pheasants in England, plains game in Africa, Sheep in Turkey. I'm sure our membership fees should get us 1/2 price flights. ;D
FQ13
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Great idea. I just read in our local paper that Greg Norman is cutting back and selling his 727. Think of the DRTV charter trips Pheasants in England, plains game in Africa, Sheep in Turkey. I'm sure our membership fees should get us 1/2 price flights. ;D
FQ13
I can see it now...at an airport near you..........
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Great idea. I just read in our local paper that Greg Norman is cutting back and selling his 727. Think of the DRTV charter trips Pheasants in England, plains game in Africa, Sheep in Turkey. I'm sure our membership fees should get us 1/2 price flights. ;D
FQ13
thats going to make a dent in the ammo budget...
Even something small like a cessna is atleast $150/ hour to operate... any turbine, is going to cost you $1000/ hour in just parts and labor. Thats not fuel, pilot, ins, etc. Thats just parts and labor. Thats per engine...
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thats going to make a dent in the ammo budget...
Even something small like a cessna is atleast $150/ hour to operate... any turbine, is going to cost you $1000/ hour in just parts and labor. Thats not fuel, pilot, ins, etc. Thats just parts and labor. Thats per engine...
I'm sure Rob and MB are good for it! 8)
FQ13 who will pay for those little plastic wing pins.
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I'm sure Rob and MB are good for it! 8)
FQ13 who will pay for those little plastic wing pins.
well in that case. I highly recomend a 421c. 220 knot cruise, lots of room, easy to fly, great range, affordable( as far as planes go) just all around a great aircraft...
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Can you
see the look in the eyes smell the fear in the pants of the official "gun guy" as that tail comes in sight of the boarding gate ;D
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A couple of years ago i won a rifle case at the NRA annual meeting. It is the kind that is part hard plastic and part soft nylon material. Shaped like the "typical" rifle case it broadcasts "gun". Well I show up at the Milwaukee airport and the airline clerk wants to charge me 50 bucks to put it in the cargo hold. I say I'll carry it on board...She says ok...As I walk to the TSA security check the TSA folks look at me like I'm a serial killer. I smile and say its empty...I get a "it better be" back at me....now onto the gate ... I figure it would be more better if I fold the case in half...well this baby don't like being folded...here I am in front of like a hundred passengers at the gate trying to massage the case into a pretzel....fold....boing...fold....boing...fold....boing....finally I took my belt off and wrapped it around the dam case so I could put it in the overhead....
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So today's air travel debacle: They lost my luggage... both pieces... including the new case they sold me in Houston last week.... with the pistols.....
>:(
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If you would not mind stating, which airlines and which airports are you having these probs at?
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Southwest is the only airline that is even remotely made up of humans with common sense. But SW doesn't fly everywhere............... *sighhhhhhh*
Soooo......I hate TSA and I hate airports! >:(
I'm mad at them before I ever even get to the airport and I stay pissed off at them until after I get home..
They absolutely have no respect for anyone property and most of them are rude as hell..and they need a full course in "people skills"..
There! :P Now I'm mad all over again.. and I don't even have to board a plane for another week and a half.
Thanks a hell of a lot Rob.. ;D
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The First Issue was Continental in Norfolk (limit).
The second was TSA in Houston (case).
Tonight was Northwest (now changing to Delta) from Minneapolis to Tulsa (Luggage not on plane.. showing up tomorrow at 6 PM!)
****
At least the guy at the counter was polite and somewhat helpful.... but I think I knew more about the lost luggage procedure than he did.
-RJP
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I've found south west to be the best airline by far.
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TSA SUCKS!!!!!!!!
most of the tsa emplpyees are rejects that can't get a lazier job anywhere else. sure, there are a few good ones, but they are far outnumbered by the dickheads. I had to get a TWIC card in order to continue working in the shipping ind. twic is transportation workers identification card. issued by tsa. the cards are useless. NONE of the tsa employees at the airports so far have been able to recognize it or accept it! sir, do you have another form of id? duh.... also, when picking up my credential in Fl. I talked to the man issuing it, and he says that tsa has the highest workers comp rate in the US. I don't know if that's true, but I believe it. oh yeah the twic card, all US merchant mariners were required to get one or lose their documents, licenses etc... what's special about this card? nothing. it's a background check, bio information etc. everything I have to go through for my merchant mariners doc with the Coast Guard. go figure. and the best part.... nobody has readers for the cards, they're electronic, so if you don't have a reader you have very little info available on the card itself. TSA is a waist of money and manpower!
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TSA SUCKS!!!!!!!!
most of the tsa emplpyees are rejects that can't get a lazier job anywhere else. sure, there are a few good ones, but they are far outnumbered by the dickheads. I had to get a TWIC card in order to continue working in the shipping ind. twic is transportation workers identification card. issued by tsa. the cards are useless. NONE of the tsa employees at the airports so far have been able to recognize it or accept it! sir, do you have another form of id? duh.... also, when picking up my credential in Fl. I talked to the man issuing it, and he says that tsa has the highest workers comp rate in the US. I don't know if that's true, but I believe it. oh yeah the twic card, all US merchant mariners were required to get one or lose their documents, licenses etc... what's special about this card? nothing. it's a background check, bio information etc. everything I have to go through for my merchant mariners doc with the Coast Guard. go figure. and the best part.... nobody has readers for the cards, they're electronic, so if you don't have a reader you have very little info available on the card itself. TSA is a waist of money and manpower!
More on the TWIC here: https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/102 (https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/102)
It's a form of the DHS Real ID national ID card, a step in that direction.
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TWIC is now impacting the trucking industry too.
Gonna ship something? Well the trucker that takes it to the port now has to have TWIC and most don't! REAL PITA!
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yes, the TWIT card is a pain. but the real pain is that it's still useless. I paid for this damn thing so I wouldn't lose my job, and now the rejects that required it to begin with don't even recognize it. it contains all the same info my coast guard documentation has and it's a federally issued document. WHY? ???
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Thanks for the laughs at all of the stories everyone! ;D