Truck drivers, longshoremen, and mariners will have to pay up to $159 for a high-tech identity card that will grant them access to US ports.
Some workers will have to buy the cards as soon as March. But a time has not been specified for port operators and ship owners to buy the equipment that reads the cards, according to a rule announced yesterday by the Homeland Security Department.
The agencies issuing the cards, the Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration, still have to test the card readers and decide on specifications.
The card will contain the holder’s photograph and name, an expiration date, and a serial number. An integrated circuit chip will store the holder’s fingerprint template, a PIN chosen by the individual, and unique identifying information.
“We’re going to be paying $139 to $159 and we don’t know how they work?” Stallone said.
Ultimately, as many as 6 million transportation workers in rail yards, airports, and seaports will have to buy the card to gain access to secure areas.
You’ll love the background checks required just to be eligible for the cards. The crimes you can be checked for encompass everything near and dear to politicos — including sedition.
What isn’t questioned is the bureaucratic thought process that says the appropriate paperwork will solve all problems. Just fill out all the right forms, check all the boxes, buy the latest smart card — and everything will be just dandy.
What stops a ship at sea from unloading cargo on a fishing trawler, which could sail into thousands of unmonitored small coastal towns. I know this happens because tons of pot gets smuggled in this way yearly.
Good point, RT. Reflects accurately on a society run by “morality” instead of reason — therefore no differentiation between grass and guns, bongs and bombs.
And citizens are always Guilty in the eyes of our government.
When I worked at an airport, my badge was a classic PVC plastic mag-stripe card with my photo, name and airline printed on it. Post 9/11, the only thing they did different was add a guard at the security entries was who looked at the photo and swiped the card to make sure the card was still valid.
CMYK printed PVC cards with mag-stripes cost about $1 to make (0.15 cardstock, 0.70 in ink and consumables). It makes no sense to switch to a $100 technology that has the same functionality. What can the card do that the old ones can’t that’s worth $100?
“What can the card do that the old ones can’t that’s worth $100? ”
It can help keep a bureaucrat employed
I think #3 answered his own question. Anybody can print up a regular old ID card.
Part of the cost goes to the cost of the Background check itself and those that have already gotten the check won’t have to pay as much.
Now if you are against those with access to supposedly secure areas being force to have their background checked at all that is a completely different issue.
As for what stopping ships from cross-loading to smaller boats off shore, well of course this will in no way stop it. But, rest assured that when and if they come up with a plan it will be reported here…
…and you guys will be against it.
I know some decision has been reached on the equipment- they just had the meeting yesterday at Stockton.
On the4 upside, I’m getting a real nice generator at a ridiculous discount because the HS people outlawed diesel! LOL
1. do you know how many on a SHIP disembark?? MOSt of them.
2. ANY ID can be copied and changed…RFId SUCKS it can be read by anyone. they need a freq, keyed chip…when you send a signal, it sends the data back…AL RFID is going to do, is send the SAME Number as is printed on the card.
3. ACCESS to securd areas…OK, where is the UNSECURE area?
Yeah yeah… Whatever… You all make your little points, but let’s get to the heart of the matter, shall we?
RTaylor… Where is this pot you are talking about?
#7
1. Makes no difference they can be moved out of the secure area much like an airline passenger.
2. Nowhere did they say anything about RFID. Though I know everybody seem to think that RFID is the new “Mark of the Devil” and will take any chance they can get to bitch about it. The OA dit say…
“The card will contain the holder’s photograph and name, an expiration date, and a serial number. An integrated circuit chip will store the holder’s fingerprint template, a PIN chosen by the individual, and unique identifying information.”
And of course any ID can be faked. Does that mean we should do away with all ID to use technology to make them as hard as we can within reason to fake?
3. That will be the part past where ever they check the IDs.
#9, you make an argument in favor of the cards and checks. OK, so what kind of background check will you get for $150?
Will it tell you if I studied political science under a commie?
Will it tell you if I have a copy of the Anarchist Handbook?
Will it tell you if I told my neighbor I would like to see Bush dead?
Will it tell you I have a 20 yr old conviction for public intoxication, stealing hubcaps, or shoplifting?
Now tell me which of those four makes me dangerous and a possible terrorist? Then tell me what that background check will find.
interesting new tax – i wonder where this goes…
And what countries can we GET the checks from??
China?
Taiwan?
India??
Saudi??
???
Who is going to share there info, and which countries KEEP that info..Or even keep it in 1 location.
#9 – Right you are… RFID isn’t involved in this story, however…
2. Nowhere did they say anything about RFID. Though I know everybody seem to think that RFID is the new “Mark of the Devil” and will take any chance they can get to bitch about it. The OA dit say…
The Devil may just be mythology, and RFID might not be at issue here… but it can be abused easily and any chance one gets to rail against it should be taken…
A chip with replication of the external part and a finger print??
And how long will it take to figure out the data and encryptions..
1 month? 1 year??
And we are going to have FULL high grade security ON THIS??
Better security then at AIR PORTS??(which wouldnt be hard, for what they are paid)
Better security then those Inspecting those cargo containers(they can only protect us from 15%).
Better security then the Mex border?? Canadian Border??
WOW, and who is going to pay for this?? These expencive (bord) security guards that will (probably ) get paid $9 per hour,a nd the corp gets $200 per port of entry??
I thought those folks had to have passports and documents ANYWAY..
Wouldnt it be better to implement a International passport/visa system?? So that records could be scanned from AROUND the world via net, insted of HOPINg you got the pic of the bastard from WHICH country??
Get OFF it, this is a cover up to make you THINK something is being done. Its only to get Money into someones pockets, without US seeing it.
#10…Mr. Fusion….if you went to any University in the free world you studied political science under a commie. S o that won’t keep you from the card.
What will keep you from the card is the 20 y/o convictions for public intoxication, stealing hubcaps and shoplifting.
And, you really should be ashamed of yourself for the public intoxication. 🙂
#15, That Prof was true. An American commie teaching PS in a Canadian University after getting his education in East Germany. Man, he was a bad teacher. His teaching assistant was also a card carrying commie that ran in every election under a commie banner. And I mean true Marxist-Lenin too. I took the “C” and didn’t complain.
The 20 yr old convictions are just examples.
When are they going to start requiring congress to submit to random drug tests? I mean hell, they require it for postal workers, and their decisions are a lot less important.
I have a question….
How much are we paying these folks to run the country??
Isnt it time to fire them as any BAd CEO would be..?
#17, I agree !!! Drug tests are as stupid as they come. Somehow they give comfort to the stupid among us that think anything stronger then grape juice is bad.
How much do you think a fake one will set me back?
20,
Give it a year, and you should many price ranges and qualities.