Re: Passport Delays
 

E.P can be used 5 times though, and perhaps if you spend enough time in the UK, could get a new UK passport there, if you're able to get your old one returned.

Someone posted that they were able to get their old passport returned which hadn't expired yet to use on a trip, but I don't think they had been charged at that point. Worth a shot?

Re: Passport Delays
 

I am pretty sure the person who got the passport returned before it was charged was able to go to the embassy and collect it. I suspect any other method of asking for it back will probably fail due to a lack of direct contact with the embassy. I think careline can only help once its been billed.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Peony, it is so stressful, the whole process! I have my passport in hand today, which is bitter sweet since we had to cancel our holiday on sat and the passport arrived yesterday :( . Have careline sent an escalation email to washingto yet? I spent all of last week waiting to hear from them and heard nothing, yet my passport was picked up by UPS on wed afternoon, doesnt allow for the 3 days it takes to get to canada. If someone had contacted me when they were supposed to i would have paid for overnight shipping. These r things i wish i cd change, but you might still have an opportunity to have careline state that in the email. Good luck! I hope you get it in time for your trip.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thanks, I called the British Consulate in Chicago to see if I could get an emergency passport appointment and someone called me back and is going to see if they can get the full passport application sorted out first, before we go down the emergency route. I haven't heard anything back yet but I did get a contact number so I can call them if I don't hear anything in the next day or two. It was refreshing to be able to speak to someone who seemed interested in helping. Fingers crossed....

Re: Passport Delays
 

US customs are Pretty tough on ppl entering the country and i couldnt take the chance of being turned away with a ETD. If i was going home to scotland it would be no problem. We were headed to Hilton Head,SC... Will Prob have to go in september now. Good luck to everyone else awaiting their passport. I will definately be lodging a complaint and will update if anything comes of it.
My timeline was:
Sent: march 24th received march 25th with proof of travel for may 14th
Credit card charged april 7th
Many follow up calls to careline
Escalated may 5th
no call or email from washington
Careline computer says "processing" may 12th
Trip cancelled may 13th
UPS delivers passport in canada may 16th ( passport was picked up at 3pm on Wed may 11th. 3 business days needed to deliver.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Possibly contacting Dean from BE via pm to see if he can help out with that?

Re: Passport Delays
 

I came across a british consolate orlando psge on facebook, there is a discussion section and i posted in it and got a response within a few hours, i wonder if Dean is the one who organized the group?? Even tho i am in canada, he responded and gave me an address and other details of where to send a complaint. I will look for a link to it and post it if you like :)

Re: Passport Delays
 

The info to file complaints, he posted that here, it's in the stickied thread up top in the USA forum.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Oh, i had't realized that.... Thx Bob:)

Re: Passport Delays
 

Credit card taken 05/18.... now hope for the best

Re: Passport Delays
 

Tried putting a call into Careline today, actually got the same guy I spoke to last time. The usual story - passport is now processing after cc being charged on May 19th. No other information. Refused to escalate renewal for son's passport despite us having a travel date of June 12th. They suggest I call back June 6th if I have not received it as they can escalate if it is 5 days or less before travel time. Don't dare look at how much the careline call cost me as I ended up venting to the guy about how unhelpful this super-expensive call was.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Hi Folks

I can see my time line is like many others here, OF course I did not think it would take this long, My application was received in Washington DC on Mar 9

Received Mar 9 2011

Money taken off Visa Card on April 6 2011

And that's all I have to report
It May 25th and I am still patiently waiting.....

What else can I do? (shrugs):huh:

It is possible to contact Dean Churm directly? (in e-mail)??

Quote:
DEAN CHURM British Consul & Regional Operations Manager, Southern USA
British Consular Services (North America & Caribbean)

thanks

tom

Re: Passport Delays
 

I also sent a letter of complaint on Tuesday to the address at 19 Observatory Circle in Washington. More like a polite but firm enquiry.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Is yours a first issue passport or a renewal? Just wondered as you said application. I was kind of hoping that renewals (as my son's is) would go through a little faster.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Sorry, it is a renewal and I am not sure there is any difference?
my renewal is taking this long... I sent the old Passport in so I have nothing
but a memory and photocopy of the old one.... :(