Hey folks, I'm not a longshoreman, but I figure out of anyone who appreciates good rain gear it would be y'all.

I'm looking for recommendations for a full length high vis raincoat that is thick enough material that it won't snag and tear on the first little thing.

I see plenty of 48" coats out there but honestly that's a little too short... 52" would be better.

Any recommendations?

Hello, just curious when board moves are supposed to happen. I have my hours for the last year, I was told it would be some time in January (everyone has a different story down here), any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

Good day, as part of my university's Final Year Project, I'm doing a survey on the Impacts of AI applications on the Global Supply Chain.

As port logistics & shipping is a big part of the global supply chain, I would appreciate it greatly if I could gather some reponses from people working in this industry.

Additionally, it would be great if yall could share this survey with others working in this industry.

Thank you in advance & have a great week ahead :)

Survey Link

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if there are any beneficial skills or certifications to obtain that you could benefit from when becoming a longshoreman. I’m currently on the wait list for Vancouver, WA so I was thinking about how I can maximize my potential once I do get my letter in the mail. Not necessarily skills that will make you better at the job but skills that can let you work more jobs as a longshoreman. Like if getting a welding certification leads to more jobs, I work for the railroad now so if getting my engineer’s card would lead to more jobs etc. Thanks

I interested in a merchant seaman job I heard it is a long process can anyone point me in the right direction?

Hello. Everyone input would be nice. Cooler if you’re local 19. I’m an apprentice carpenter. I guess they have called my number on the list. I was wondering how long it took you guys to move up the ranks from un-ID to wherever you’re at now. Also how hard was it juggling a steady income job and working till you became a casual. Love from Seattle 🫶

Hello, I'm a casual at the port of Seattle. I was wondering why did you who are in the union "meaning moved to the B side" stay in the program and deal with the uncertainty of work as a casual for so long? Even when you had bills to pay what kept you from not quitting entirely and try and find a more steady source of income? Because to me try to make longshoreman a priorty will cause me to get fired from normal jobs and try dealing with the stress of finding odd jobs to pay the bills seems a bit radical. I say this because my friends who are in the elevator union or who are machinist for boeing or work in the concrete union make way money or the same amount and seem to not have a crazy up hill battle. Please give me advice about how you payed the bills or how you stuck it out and did resort to changing careers entirely. Thank you.

I just got my orientation letter for Local 8 in Portland! From what I gather Portland gets a lot of “Auto Ships”. I’m just curious as to what type of cargo and jobs are coming on a regular day. Super excited to start the process. Grandpa retired with ILWU in Oakland but my dad went and did his own thing. Time to bring that hook back home! Thanks for any insight yall can give!

I knew it there is a catch. We are allowing automation. Are we really want take risk? After 6 year they ai us out. Allowing they build it is serious issue

Do they actually have you guys out working with the air quality in this condition? I know here up north when the fires are bad we don’t work in it so my curiosity got me lol.

Yah! So excited! It's in the mail today. Just letting everybody know

Anyone know where they at with the processing #s ? I’m 15,*** still waiting 😩

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone had any idea when the next hiring drive might be.

I know for the last hire, they were around 1300’s somewhere. Is there any info anyone has on when that might be completed?

Also, how long after that does the new hiring drive usually begin? I know the previous one was around 2018 so just seems like a while between the two.

Any info is appreciated! Thanks

Hello brothers and sisters,

Some of you may have seen my earlier post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Longshoremen/comments/1h70va1/making_a_better_shift_tracker/

I have since launched a beta version and would love for you to test it out! You can sign up here:

www.portpal.app

PRIVACY - It's free to use, no ads and I won't ever sell your data. Feel free to use a fake name and an email that is not personally identifying (e.g. not johnsmith@gmail.com). If you use a fake email you may not be able to recover your password though, so ensure you have access to the email you use.

BUT WHY ARE YOU MAKING IT FREE?!
Good question. I'm learning coding, app building and trying to get into the startup world so I made this as a way to test my development/design skills, learn about user acquisition, user retention, getting feedback and iterating to make the app better over time. So just building something for myself/us to get started.

Still learning so please feel free to be very critical but also patient with me!

I am hoping to eventually create more apps in the future so if you have ideas please feel free to reach out.

All I ask in return is that you send in your suggetions about how the app can be better, improved and point out any bugs. There is a feedback/suggestion form here: www.portpalapp.com/contact (for logged in users)

But you can also email here: support@portpal.app

The app currently caters to local 500/502, however if you sign up and choose "other" as your local you will be able to manually enter locations and jobs. If you become a regular user, email me and I wll add a custom dropdown for your locations, job categories, and rates of pay.

Please share it with your friends and family on the waterfront. If I see it is useful for others I will continue to add features and improvements!

Looking forward to building something great for you, my brothers and sisters!

Join the subreddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/PortPal

In Solidarity,

V

I’m not new but can alway improve. I’d also love to have more tips for the noobs.

No injuries

Any idea how long it takes or when we will get our cards in the mail? Thank you

As the title would lead you to believe, I'm a little old than most of the youngsters starting the casual life.

As I make my way through the testing, after passing the lashing easily, I realize that a full shift would be pretty exhausting for me.

How frowned upon is it for someone to exist the line at the casual hall once you realize that you might be assigned a lashing job?

Here’s a long shot in hell but you don’t know if you don’t ask. Is there anyone out there that will be receiving an Industry application card for the next Port of Tacoma lottery and don’t have anyone to give it to? I’m 31 and I’ve been working for the railroad in Seattle for about 7 years so you know I’m not a bum, I’ve put in for 3 different lottery’s so far and no luck. If anyone wants to send out a blessing it would be greatly appreciated.

“Houston, we have a problem”

Let's see the tool bag set up for casuals

So I am a casual at the ILWU13 and today I had a issue with a utr where I hitched up and did the Proper move forward then connected the hoses & then give it gas to build up the air pressure. Well I did all that and when I tried to pull up and start working, it wouldn’t move. Happened to me three times the first one it wasn’t my fault it was because the air was leaking from the bomb cart. the second time it had moved about like 10 feet and then no more not even the dock boss could get it to move and by the third time I was sent home what could’ve I have done wrong?