starrs

So glad it worked out!

mrwunrfl

>> I agree P_M you have every right to complain

I definitely agree with that. Its the arguing and hanging up that was unnecessary. The agent was unable to provide the information that was sought.

Didn't it turn out that the website info, that the pp was mailed yesterday, was correct? The pp was received ~two business days later. The tracking information was terribly inaccurate.

That FAQ ~says to wait two weeks after status was set to "Mailed" before contacting NPIC*. For me to assume, or the agent to suggest, that the status may be correct even though the tracking info was wrong and that I should wait two weeks would have made me uncomfortable to say the least.

The shipping info problem is something that is fixable and def worth complaining about. (IIUC the status said "mailed yesterday" but the tracking info said mailed more than a year ago)

* not the NPIC created by CIA and incorporated into NIMA which became NGA

P_M

Mrwunrful, I disagree that he couldn't have provided the information, and I'm especially bothered that he said there was nothing they could do until 2 weeks before my travel date, which has since been proven wrong.

How about if we just agreed to disagree and move on. Deal?

mrwunrfl

you were planning on forgiving the guy (smart), so you got a deal

bvlenci

I'm glad it worked out for you. In 2021, when international travel was still severely restricted, it was almost impossible to get a passport in a reasonable time. My daughter had to cancel a trip to visit me in Italy.

I assumed they had laid off a lot of workers in 2020, and that a lot of people hadn't even thought of renewing their passports that year.

bvlenci

My daughter also got that story about two weeks before travel date, so the agent didn't make that up. I think it's because they have a limited number of people to handle looking stuff up, so they'll only do it if they consider it an emergency, e.g., your suitcase is packed already.

P_M

Did you see the post #38 by sassy, explaining what to do if the passport doesn't arrive in 2 weeks?

bvlenci

I was referring to having to wait until 2 weeks before the trip before they would intervene. That's a different issue.

sassy27

My passport expired January 2022. I got my picture for renewal over Christmas as I was off from work. I renew at the same time every 10 years. I wanted to mail it December 2021 but waited until the beginning of January 2022. It was in my hands by the beginning of February 2022 as it has an expiry date of 05FEB2032. I did not expedite it. It was in transit to me for only 3 days. My supporting documents came a week later.

There really is no excuse for the current back log. It’s been how many years since they reduced their staff? Logically, they had no plan for the expected up tick as the pandemic started to get better. We all knew it would. This is exactly why the US State Dept. should be held accountable. They should provide accurate information. I expect that from my Congress person/ Representative.

I feel the information provided here is helpful to anyone who should face a similar situation going forward. My friend unfortunately went through this and it was very stressful for me as we were traveling together. Her passport came 2 days before our flight. I even told her, I didn’t think her Representative wants to get re-elected.