TWICs often fail under normal working conditions.
Longshoremen at the port of Houston are complaining their mandatory high-tech identification cards aren’t able to stand up to what seems to be the everyday working environment.
TL Simon, president of Local 24 of the International Longshoremen’s Association said the port’s automatic card readers are unable to read some members’ Transportation Worker Identification Credentials. This requires the port police to dispatch an officer to the gate to visually verify the IDs.
The apparent problem is that work gangs carry the TWIC in their back pocket where it’s subjected to bending, heat and moisture. Government-issued IDs commonly are attached to a lanyard around the bearer’s neck, but on the docks doing so is a safety hazard.
TSA reportedly said the problem was a “user abuse issue.” Card replacements cost $60. Simon said the TWICs should come with a warranty.