Picking an imported car from a port is one of the coolest experiences you can go through as a car enthusiast. You get to see the mechanisms of global trade at work, geek out over massive cargo ships, and check out the awesome cars that people are bringing in. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what makes the ports awesome, as I wrote about when I retrieved my 1998 MGF from the port of Baltimore.
One of the quirks of several of America’s ports is that you need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to get in. If you don’t have a TWIC card, you can just hire an escort to guide you through the port.
Spacer
You can just hire an escort. I walked right into that one. Luxobarge:
I’m sorry, but in this era of clickbait headlines, why is this article not called “Why I Went to Down to the Docks in Baltimore and Hired an Escort by the Hour”?
In other news, our dear leaders attempted to change the oil in our Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, somehow figuring out how to fail every step of the way. Our very own Adrian Clarke, who does know these people:
I don’t know these people.
Max Headbolts:
“Why! Why are we so stupid? Why can’t we get a break?”
It all started with the conversation David had with the Galpin tech that offered to change the oil for him. When he declined he KNEW what he was setting you up for.
I’m pretty sure David is actually some variant of a Colin Robinson energy vampire, who feeds on automotive hilarity.
NC Miata NA:
Ah yes, the eternal struggle between “I should empty the drain pan before I do another oil change” and “there is probably enough room in the pan for one more oil change”.
Tbird:
Autopian masthead is a lie – their real names are Larry, Moe, and Curly.
Have a great evening, everyone!
Top graphic image: Mercedes Streeter
My last job made me get my TWIC for all the work I would supposedly be doing along the ship channel but in reality the only time I ever used it was to escort another engineer around a barge.
I already assumed that the entire port article was Mercedes trying to explain the “Escort” fees on her credit card 😉
You shouldn’t be embarrassed Mercedes! It’s one of Ford’s finest cars!
Mainly because it’s a Mazda with better rustproofing.
I meant the Ford Europe ones, I can’t think of a single Ford US car I’d want to drive. Except maybe a GT40, but then they have some UK heritage behind them.
The Escort was the better one of the two? Yikers
Mazdas are brilliant cars but they rust like no one’s business.
The Mk1 was pretty good compared to the competition in 1968. The Mk5 in 1990, however, was another matter.
Yeah my son needed to hire a TWIC escort in Tacoma because he wanted his HiAce right now, instead of when his friend with a TWIC card was available. (friend drives gasoline tankers and has to enter a port to fill up)
Luxobarge FTW
Many thanks, kind sir/madam/other.