The Transportation Security Administration has begun the second phase of implementing a one-visit program for TWIC applicants, but the program won’t become fully operational nationwide until later this year.
This timeline has upset many members of Congress, who complain that TSA has again failed to meet a deadline for TWIC reforms. In this case, the agency will be a year late in meeting a deadline set by legislation.
TSA began phase one of a pilot program last summer in Alaska to test a new process in which applicants would make only one visit to an enrollment center to file their applications and then the credentials would be sent in the mail. This would eliminate the need for a second trip to pick up the card, which mariners complain is burdensome and costly.
More than 881 workers in Alaska have since received their TWIC card by mail so far, which represents 70 percent of the state’s TWIC applicants, according to information provided to the American Waterways Operators. TSA said the Alaska pilot program has worked well and that applicants have received their card by mail within 10 to 12 days of enrollment.
In December, TWIC launched the second phase in Michigan at five enrollment centers located in the Upper Peninsula. TSA says it will begin nationwide implementation this spring, and will rollout the program in phases at locations to be determined across the country. TSA says it expects nationwide implementation to be complete in late summer or early fall.
In November, several members of the House and Senate wrote to TSA Administrator John Pistole asking that the timeline be accelerated, noting the missed congressional deadline. But Pistole responded that the agency is moving as fast as it can, given contract obligations and the time needed to transition the TWIC data base and card production system to a new platform.
Pistole noted that TSA has taken a number of other steps to improve the TWIC experience, including reducing the call center response times to less than a minute and establishing a web-based process that allows workers to order replacement or Extended Expiration Date TWIC cards 24/7.
TSA is currently in the process of expanding the number of TWIC enrollment centers from 139 to more than 300 as TWIC and Hazardous Material Endorsement Centers are combined.
Stakeholders aren’t pleased with the delays but understand some of the problems of implementing a program of this magnitude.
“It’s not optimal, but it appears that TSA is moving forward with deliberate speed in implementing OneVisit nationally,” said Craig Montesano, legislative director at AWO. “Our job over the next eight months is to work with Congress to ensure that the process goes smoothly and is ultimately completed.”
