Supposed to leave today...NO PASSPORT
May 24th, 2007, 12:24 PM
#101
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went to renew my passport in Frankfurt last May, however, I only got a one year passport and had to renew it when I came back to U.S. They said that's all they could do for me. Not sure if it's because I asked if I could get it same day. I didn't have to pay the $67 again. When I went to renew it in U.S. in person they wanted the old 10 year passport.
Jul 17th, 2007, 03:17 PM
#103
Guest
Posts: n/a
mmahoneytexas...
I have an 11:30am appt in Houston. I have also contacted Dr. Burgess (also my congressman). What time do you suggest I get to the passport office? Any suggestions on what you have learned? Any idea why are there so many people in line if you are suppose to have an appointment? Any insight to help your fellow Texan is very appreciated!!
I have an 11:30am appt in Houston. I have also contacted Dr. Burgess (also my congressman). What time do you suggest I get to the passport office? Any suggestions on what you have learned? Any idea why are there so many people in line if you are suppose to have an appointment? Any insight to help your fellow Texan is very appreciated!!
Jul 23rd, 2007, 11:48 AM
#106
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My mother applied 17 weeks ago.
As of yesterday it was still "processing"
She is contacting her Congressman in hopes that we can get this thing by the time we leave in September! If I have to fly her to DC to get a passport I will go with her and drop by my Congresman's office on the trip....
What really is interesting is that it appears that the passport agency did receive additional funding for this year to meet the demand. However, they seemed clueless on what the demand would be. (Hint, call an airline, ask them how many flights a day they have to Mexico, ask them how many folks they estimate do NOT show a passport for those flights, extraoplate results based on US flight schedules... it's not rocket science!)
As of yesterday it was still "processing"
She is contacting her Congressman in hopes that we can get this thing by the time we leave in September! If I have to fly her to DC to get a passport I will go with her and drop by my Congresman's office on the trip....
What really is interesting is that it appears that the passport agency did receive additional funding for this year to meet the demand. However, they seemed clueless on what the demand would be. (Hint, call an airline, ask them how many flights a day they have to Mexico, ask them how many folks they estimate do NOT show a passport for those flights, extraoplate results based on US flight schedules... it's not rocket science!)
Jul 23rd, 2007, 03:26 PM
#107
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Miracles never cease.... A mere 17 weeks after application my mother's passport was received in the mail today.
Of course the website shows it as "in progress"
I have emailed my congressman and Senators anyway explaining that 17 weeks seems WAY too long and that if they insist that this "security" measure is needed they need to also make sure THEY provide adequate funding and oversight. I explained to them once again that I look at this as part of the overall "homeland security" issue (which includes the TSA whom I feel is pretty much a waste of tax dollars) and that at least MY vote will be based largely on their response to these type of issues. (I also pointed out that TSA waits in Atlanta were at an hour this morning according to the news. Not acceptable IMHO)
Of course the website shows it as "in progress"
I have emailed my congressman and Senators anyway explaining that 17 weeks seems WAY too long and that if they insist that this "security" measure is needed they need to also make sure THEY provide adequate funding and oversight. I explained to them once again that I look at this as part of the overall "homeland security" issue (which includes the TSA whom I feel is pretty much a waste of tax dollars) and that at least MY vote will be based largely on their response to these type of issues. (I also pointed out that TSA waits in Atlanta were at an hour this morning according to the news. Not acceptable IMHO)
Jul 23rd, 2007, 04:00 PM
#108
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CarolA,
Yeah! I don't remember..is your mother going somewhere? and hopefully, she got her passport in time.
We're still sweating it out with my mother's Canadian passport. But this past Friday, I wrote to quite a few Member of Parliaments asking for help. So far, one of them has responded and is asking that my mother sign a letter authorizing the Passport office to give the Member's office information about her application.
We will definitely fax that over.
Keep good thoughts everyone, there is still time to go, they're not leaving until Sept 7, but I don't want to wait until Sept 1 to start expediting things.
Please send good vibes our way! Thanks in advance!
Yeah! I don't remember..is your mother going somewhere? and hopefully, she got her passport in time.
We're still sweating it out with my mother's Canadian passport. But this past Friday, I wrote to quite a few Member of Parliaments asking for help. So far, one of them has responded and is asking that my mother sign a letter authorizing the Passport office to give the Member's office information about her application.
We will definitely fax that over.
Keep good thoughts everyone, there is still time to go, they're not leaving until Sept 7, but I don't want to wait until Sept 1 to start expediting things.
Please send good vibes our way! Thanks in advance!
Jul 23rd, 2007, 04:16 PM
#109
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe they should put Amazon in charge of passports - they promised two weeks ago I would get the latest Harry Potter on Saturday, even though I live out in the country with no weekend mail delivery and by gosh a Canada Postie came running up our walk with the magic box at exactly 8:15 a.m. 
Jul 24th, 2007, 12:30 PM
#110
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lyb,
My mother is going to Croatia with me in September.
However, she was very antsy. As she put it she has had a passport since she was about 10 and it bothered her not to have it.
Our plan was to be nice to the Congressman and hopefully he could get it processed. Our real goal was just to get it by the middle of August.
(I think the Amazon idea is great! Wish it would work)
I posted on my Girl Scout group today reminding those leaders that this is still going on. I know that as the school year begins they will start planning and you would be amazed at the number of these older girls who go great places (Switzerland, London, India, Mexico, cruises etc) My suggestion was to make thier girls order passports NOW so that they weren't driving to some city with a bunch of teens two weeks before thier trip to pick up a passport.
My mother is going to Croatia with me in September.
However, she was very antsy. As she put it she has had a passport since she was about 10 and it bothered her not to have it.
Our plan was to be nice to the Congressman and hopefully he could get it processed. Our real goal was just to get it by the middle of August.
(I think the Amazon idea is great! Wish it would work)
I posted on my Girl Scout group today reminding those leaders that this is still going on. I know that as the school year begins they will start planning and you would be amazed at the number of these older girls who go great places (Switzerland, London, India, Mexico, cruises etc) My suggestion was to make thier girls order passports NOW so that they weren't driving to some city with a bunch of teens two weeks before thier trip to pick up a passport.
Jul 24th, 2007, 12:53 PM
#111
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
carolA,
Good for your mom. Similar situation with my mom, she's always had a passport, it's just a renewal. But the process doesn't seem to be much quicker.
So far, we've had responses from another member of the Canadian Parliament saying that they will look into the matter.
What's bothering me about this is that my parents are not allowing themselves to get excited about their trip because of the uncertainty, though I have faith that it's going to work out. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Good for your mom. Similar situation with my mom, she's always had a passport, it's just a renewal. But the process doesn't seem to be much quicker.
So far, we've had responses from another member of the Canadian Parliament saying that they will look into the matter.
What's bothering me about this is that my parents are not allowing themselves to get excited about their trip because of the uncertainty, though I have faith that it's going to work out. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Jul 24th, 2007, 01:27 PM
#112
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lyb--just wanted to let you know that my father received his Candian passport after a delay as well so he and my mother are able to go on their cruise. (Thought you might want a story with a positive ending).
Timeframe: Sent in application end of January, received word that he needed to send in new picture mid-February, picture sent in regular mail (grrr! poor decision by dad!) by end February, received passport the end of June.
Good luck! It was very frustrating and cost us some $$ as we had to delay purchasing international travel tickets for a later trip.
Timeframe: Sent in application end of January, received word that he needed to send in new picture mid-February, picture sent in regular mail (grrr! poor decision by dad!) by end February, received passport the end of June.
Good luck! It was very frustrating and cost us some $$ as we had to delay purchasing international travel tickets for a later trip.
Jul 24th, 2007, 08:50 PM
#113
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll keep you updated on the passport trauma. I personally intend to make myself a pest, though a loving one 
, to the members of parliament until I get results with my mom's passport. The squeaky wheel theory...
, to the members of parliament until I get results with my mom's passport. The squeaky wheel theory...
Jul 26th, 2007, 11:54 AM
#114
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll never believe the latest..heard back from one member of parliament, he was advised that my mom's passport applicaton was rejected in June and soon she'll get all her paperwork back..no reason why.
Then another member also responded, they were told the passport office has no record of my mom's application at all!!!
I've been going into a panic mode, making frantic phone calls. First we need to find out what the rejection reason is, apparently 70% of the time it's the photo. Then I did find out that the L.A. Canadian Embassy could process the passport on an urgent basis but not until we know what the rejection reason was and because we live in the region for the SF Canadian Embassy, technically the LA office couldn't help us. However, you'll love this..the SF Embassy doesn't process passport applications!!! But the contact in LA was great and kind of hinted that if we have friends in LA, we could use their address. She gave me her direct line to call once we have the rejection reason, but she's going on vacation on monday and won't be back until 8/20, though she said that's more than enough time to get a passport for their Sept 7 departure!!
How crazy is this???? I have a headache!!!
Okay, all your travelers, please send out all your positive vibes so that my mother gets her passport in time!!!
Then another member also responded, they were told the passport office has no record of my mom's application at all!!!
I've been going into a panic mode, making frantic phone calls. First we need to find out what the rejection reason is, apparently 70% of the time it's the photo. Then I did find out that the L.A. Canadian Embassy could process the passport on an urgent basis but not until we know what the rejection reason was and because we live in the region for the SF Canadian Embassy, technically the LA office couldn't help us. However, you'll love this..the SF Embassy doesn't process passport applications!!! But the contact in LA was great and kind of hinted that if we have friends in LA, we could use their address. She gave me her direct line to call once we have the rejection reason, but she's going on vacation on monday and won't be back until 8/20, though she said that's more than enough time to get a passport for their Sept 7 departure!!
How crazy is this???? I have a headache!!!
Okay, all your travelers, please send out all your positive vibes so that my mother gets her passport in time!!!
Jul 26th, 2007, 01:30 PM
#115
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My daughter sent in her passport for a renewal on July 9th. It was sent regular mail from Great Falls, VA. and she received her new passport on July 24th. On the form she did not put any intended travel date as she is not planning to travel anytime soon. Our daughter-in-law's was sent in on March 10th from New Jersey and she received it June 20th and she needed for a trip to Italy on June 30th. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how it works. Good luck to all who are still waiting and hope they get some encouragement from my daughter's story.
Deborah
Jul 30th, 2007, 07:41 AM
#117
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am so sorry to hear about your problem. The Houston office told our Congressman that my husband's birth certificate was invalid because of no embossed stamp. Fortunately I had another copy, he flew from Midland to Houston, stood in line for 2 days, hotel and food bill, got to line and was told he had to have a copy of his itinerary before they would talk to him, I left my classroom to go home and get it to fax to her, etc. Received his passport 3 days before our departure. Guess what, Houston office mailed the first birth certificate back to us and IT HAD THE EMBOSSED STAMP!!! They are all idiots down there...I hope your trip works out for the best...hang in there...me thinks there will be some jobs lost over this debacle.
