What is a TWIC?

When a carrier is delivering into an airport, seaport, prison or military base, they are required to carry a “Transportation Worker Identification Card” or TWIC for short. A TWIC is a card issued by the Transportation Security Administration stating that the carrier has passed security requirements and is seen fit to enter secure zones for pick up or delivery of freight.

All drivers are eligible for a TWIC if they are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, naturalized citizens, or a nonimmigrant alien, asylee, or refugee who is in lawful status. Drivers with a criminal history, a warrant or other pending legal issues will not be issued a TWIC. Drivers may apply online or in person, and the whole process from start to finish generally lasts 6-12 weeks.

Ally’s operations supervisor, Steve Forcier, shared his thoughts on shipments that require TWICs starting with how often they are needed.

“I would say less than five percent of Ally loads require a TWIC,” Forcier said “But when it is required it tends to be very important. These cards are given to people who pre-qualify to go into airports, shipping ports, and some army bases. When we require a TWIC, it usually means that there is no one to escort someone who is not a cardholder and some people pose a threat to operations and some facilities.”

At Ally, we ensure that loads that do require TWIC go through the proper vetting when selecting a carrier. Our employees come equipped with the knowledge of what a TWIC card does and how it plays a vital role in booking the correct carrier on the load in question.

Forcier and the operations department put extra care in loads that require TWIC cards because of the ramifications.

“If we fail to vet the carrier properly we could be sending in a driver that gets detained, turned around, or not permitted on-site,” Forcier said. “We should always know what our loads require and TWICs are no exception.”

TWICs are not common, but they tend to be in more port oriented cities. These cards are specific to individuals and not companies. It’s possible that one driver has a TWIC and another driver at the same company does not. When drivers do have this card, their load-hauling opportunities reach a bit further than those who don’t.

TWICs are safety measures that are used to make sure facilities and areas remain secure and safe. If a driver does not have a TWIC, it is possible to still haul the freight. Some facilities offer an escort service for cash. Security can lead an escort to the loading dock for the driver to ensure that the carrier is able to reach it without issue. There is no set amount of cash that is required, and each customer has different rules and regulations with escorts.

Do you have shipments that require TWICs? Ally Logistics has experience in picking up and delivering to different secured ports around the country. To speak to a representative on how Ally can help move your freight, call 888-466-1024.