I live in St. Pete, FL and the closest REC is Miami. Do I have to drive all the way to the REC to be evaluated for AB, Mate or can I send my Application, Refrences, Drug test, medical form, etc via mail? I have spent the last twenty minute scowering the NMC website with NEGRES. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ash
[QUOTE=Ashatsea;19389]I live in St. Pete, FL and the closest REC is Miami. Do I have to drive all the way to the REC to be evaluated for AB, Mate or can I send my Application, Refrences, Drug test, medical form, etc via mail? I have spent the last twenty minute scowering the NMC website with NEGRES. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ash[/QUOTE]
You can mail it straight to the REC in Miami. If the application looks in order, they will forward it to NMC where it is evaluated.
Thank you for the information!
Ashatsea,
I would not go through Miami if It was me, send it to Charlston or Toledo, I used to be at the Toledo REC and they have pretty good workers there.
I agree, DO NOT send it to miami, boston is supposed to be good also
Considering the reduced function of local Regional Examination Centers, I can hardly see the difference in service besides which one would receive first class mail first. I could be wrong. I never dealt with Miami, but using the one that you plan to frequent the most during a long career, which is the closest one to your home, would be my choice. I have always used New Orleans with no problems.
While at training in Ft Lauderdale last year I heard alot of horror stories about Miami. Some class mates went to Boston and left with license in hand which I could not believe but they said was true. I have used New Orleans and now Houston but have heard Charleston is good as well. You will have to test where you submit but I would still avoid Miami. You can stay at the Casino’s in Biloxi dirt cheap and drive to NO for testing. I did it with gulf view for $45 a night. Best to you.
[QUOTE=10talents;19436]While at training in Ft Lauderdale last year I heard alot of horror stories about Miami. Some class mates went to Boston and left with license in hand which I could not believe but they said was true. I have used New Orleans and now Houston but have heard Charleston is good as well. You will have to test where you submit but I would still avoid Miami. You can stay at the Casino’s in Biloxi dirt cheap and drive to NO for testing. I did it with gulf view for $45 a night. Best to you.[/QUOTE]
Boston was the last REC centralized, and I think Miami was right before them. Boston had a good reputation, but those days are gone. All RECs operate in a “store front” capacity only. They do not evaluate or issue licenses anymore and most personnel are not there anymore. Now, each REC is only as good as NMC because that’s where all application are forwarded. I would only “AVOID” an REC based on information from experiences in their current form, not how they were last year - It’s not the same - whole different animal now.
You have to test where you submit? When did that happen? Each test is generated off the NMC server now - on demand, it should not matter where as long as you’re approved?
[quote=anchorman;19439]Boston was the last REC centralized, and I think Miami was right before them. Boston had a good reputation, but those days are gone. All RECs operate in a “store front” capacity only. They do not evaluate or issue licenses anymore and most personnel are not there anymore. Now, each REC is only as good as NMC because that’s where all application are forwarded. I would only “AVOID” an REC based on information from experiences in their current form, not how they were last year - It’s not the same - whole different animal now.
You have to test where you submit? When did that happen? Each test is generated off the NMC server now - on demand, it should not matter where as long as you’re approved?[/quote]
Where is a good place to test? I heard New Orleans/Mandeville had junk for pubs that are used for the testing such as tide tables, current tables, H.O. books, etc.
[QUOTE=stevefoster;19442]Where is a good place to test? I heard New Orleans/Mandeville had junk for pubs that are used for the testing such as tide tables, current tables, H.O. books, etc.[/QUOTE]
I took my Chief Mate test at New Orleans (Mandeville). It was a nice testing room and the pubs were ok (I’ve never cracked open and HO book though, I’m a button pusher). I did not have any issues. There is a nice Courtyard hotel just north of I-10 on the left…10 minute drive. I had a CAC card at the time and got a military discount. I got there early 0745 and was at the testing desk by 0810, and had my first test in hand by 0815. The only thing that surprised me was the inability to test flashing light. It’s all by certificate only, so you have to test somewhere else - which made me wonder who tests the instructors now?
[I][quote=anchorman;19439]…You have to test where you submit? When did that happen? Each test is generated off the NMC server now - on demand, it should not matter where as long as you’re approved?[/quote][/I]
Correct. You can test at any REC. Also, when you schedule the appointment for the test, you can pick the order in which the exam modules are given. If you don’t specify at the time you make the appointment, you’ll get the default order as specified in the deck exam guide.
[quote=jdcavo;19462]
Correct. You can test at any REC. Also, when you schedule the appointment for the test, you can pick the order in which the exam modules are given. If you don’t specify at the time you make the appointment, you’ll get the default order as specified in the deck exam guide.[/quote]
Thanks Chief Cavo, picking the order can make a lot of difference depending on a candidate’s perception of his strengths and weaknesses regarding various modules. Only the candidate knows what he will have no problem with and what he will need time to review…
I’ve always had a great experience interacting with Boston in the past whenever I upgraded.
As far as testing goes, last month for my latest upgrade I went to Memphis and the folks there were really awesome and super pleasant to deal with.
A benefit of Boston is that the Mariners House is within walking distance of the REC and offers cheap rooms for mariners. You can also get there by “T” (subway) from the airport.
[quote=10talents;19436] You will have to test where you submit
I’m sorry for the misinformation. With new technological advances and efficiency at the federal level, my brain must have had a “TWIC” moment. 
p:)
Actually, you could always test at an REC different from where your application was being evbaluated, it just took a speacial request and handling, and needed to show a valid reason for not being able to test at the REC you applied at. But it was certainly possible.
[QUOTE=jdcavo;19539][quote=10talents;19531]
Actually, you could always test at an REC different from where your application was being evbaluated, it just took a speacial request and handling, and needed to show a valid reason for not being able to test at the REC you applied at. But it was certainly possible.[/QUOTE]
It was never a problem for me. Usually you would have to call straight to the testing desk, at the REC where you were approved to test, and they would pull your file and email the module codes to another REC testing desk - the one that you wanted to be proctored at. Scores would be sent accordingly and your license would be issues from the REC where you originally applied.