Room For Waiting

When we go to shipping ports around the country, some of them do not allow passengers.  Even if that passenger is the other driver.  It's crazy.  Especially since, in our case as with other people, we hold a TWIC card for the specific purpose of proving you've had a background check and passed the clearance checks required to actually enter the ports.  

Once, many years ago in New Jersey, the security people at the port check-in booth threatened to call the police if I didn't get out of the truck and wait outside the port.  And they meant OUTSIDE.  I sat on a shitty concrete wall in a dusty parking area.  A woman.  Alone.  In a port in New Jersey.  I was pissed and we complained.  After we delivered the container, they called us into the office and the manager of the facility personally apologized to me. 

And that's when I learned to hide in the truck for any future visits to ports.  

The most recent port we visited was the Norfolk International Terminals in Virginia.  We had been there before and they let me in without an issue.  I had a TWIC card and they allowed me entry.  But this time, even though I explained that I wasn't a passenger, I was a driver, and I showed them my TWIC, I still had to wait.  For TWO hours, while Ed went in and retrieved the container.  

I can't really complain though, as the facility was very nice.  I was the only one there, so it was quiet, and there were at least 40 feet of benches on either side of the room - I could have spread out and napped if I was inclined.  They had a bathroom (clean!), vending machines, air conditioning, accessible power outlets for my phone charging cord, and very friendly staff.  

I sat and read the news, played Words With Friends, and practiced my Italian on the DuoLingo app.  The time flew by.  

But as nice as it was, I still think I'm going to go back to being a stowaway.  I'd rather nap in my own bed, eat my own snacks, and pee in my own bathroom.  

Shhhhh....don't tell anyone.



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2020: A Year Long Carnival
2019: Four Balanced Women
2018: Five Spices And A Few Cuties
2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire
2012: Looking For A Coffee Fi
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!