I still don't have my passport. It's been 7+ weeks since I applied. When I initially applied, the guy at the passport office told me not to expedite it. He said he "wouldn't let" me because the processing time in this part of the country is more like 3-4 weeks. He said if I hadn't gotten it by the 5th week to call and have it expedited.
During the 5th week, I called and had it expedited. I was told I would get my passport by Friday. On Thursday, I called to check -- no, it wasn't done. They said it should be done Friday. I called on Friday -- not done. Call back Tuesday.
I call today and it's still not done. The past three urgent messages sent from the customer service office to the passport center have not been read. They are saying they can "hopefully" get it done tomorrow but can't guarantee anything. I have called and talked to a supervisor...nothing. They said they can't "make" the office do anything any faster.
My only guaranteed option, they said, is to spend $360 to fly to San Francisco to get the passport in person tomorrow. WTH? I don't have $360 to fly to San Francisco! And if I needed to do this, why did no one tell me weeks ago, when I could have planned for it?
I am SO upset right now.
-- Edited by halleybird at 20:19, 2006-05-30
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
I would be so pissed! Are you sure you really talked to a supervisor? Where I work sometimes people transfer calls to other co-workers claiming to be a "supervisor" to get rid of them.
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"Thanks to Stephenie Meyer everytime I hear thunder, I imagine vampires playing baseball."
That's insane. I had mine rushed over the memorial day weekend 4 years ago & received it w/in a week. I hope you get it in time, otherwise I'd demand to speak to a supervisor & have them explain the delay.
Question-did they take your birth certificate when you applied? I'm hoping they took mine to send in with the app because I can't find it. I had it at the post office last so maybe they took it? If not, I'm screwed.
Question-did they take your birth certificate when you applied? I'm hoping they took mine to send in with the app because I can't find it. I had it at the post office last so maybe they took it? If not, I'm screwed.
They take it, and they're supposed to mail it back to you with your passport. Don't worry!
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
Well, I am not sure if you would want to do this, but their is also a regional passport office in Los Angeles (5 hours from Phoenix??). So, you could drive to the Los Angeles office for an in person appt. It is the same as going to San Fran (did they not tell you this?). My co-worker went to the LA office when he had two days notice and needed to go overseas.
That really sucks. I'd file some sort of complaint over the "wouldn't let you" file expedited. That is ridiculous & really none of their business if you decide to do that. DH is going to Ireland & was nervous so he filed expedited & got it in less than 2 weeks. Seems like they would be happy to take your extra money to do the job they should do anyway.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
And Jen, I agree, they took his birth certificate too - it made us both really nervous, but he got it back when they sent his passport.
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Who do you have to probe around here to get a Chardonnay? - Roger the Alien from American Dad
that sucks a**! hb, i'm so sorry! is there anything that any of the la or san fran ST'ers can do to help you out? just say the word and it'll be done! meanwhile, i'll just anxiously cross my fingers for you!
Well, I am not sure if you would want to do this, but their is also a regional passport office in Los Angeles (5 hours from Phoenix??). So, you could drive to the Los Angeles office for an in person appt. It is the same as going to San Fran (did they not tell you this?). My co-worker went to the LA office when he had two days notice and needed to go overseas. Hang in there. My fingers are crossed for you.
I thought I could go to LA too, but because my actual application is in the SF office, they said LA can't do anything to help me. (I can't reapply, because they still have my birth certificate!) LA would be a pain, but it would at least be doable -- SF is out of the question.
esquiress - thank you for offering to help! I am sure anything that would need doing would have to be done by me in person, though. They wouldn't even let my tour director check my application status over the phone.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
I know that this is no help at all, but I feel like things like this usually work out. As if that's any help, but I have faith everything will be fine.
Do you have another copy of your birth certificate? What country are you going to? I believe some countries accept a birth certificate with a picture ID. I can't remember which trip I did this on, either the Bahamas or Cabo.
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Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. ~Mae West
I'm so sorry for you. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip. Keep us posted about what happens. Let us know as soon as you have it! Good luck!
I know that this is no help at all, but I feel like things like this usually work out. As if that's any help, but I have faith everything will be fine.
I agree! This situation sucks, but I have a good feeling about the outcome. Just think zen! The universe wouldn't let you get all those cute clothes if you weren't going to get to go!
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Forget, forgive, conclude, and be agreed. - Shakespeare
Worse yet, they can't even tell me WHEN it will be done, other than "maybe tomorrow." Which, by the way, they have been saying since last Thursday. I can't even reschedule, because I don't know WHEN I will get it.
I have an address for the customer service dept in Washington -- I will be writing a complaint letter, but right now I am so angry and sad I can't even see straight.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde