Passport Questions & a Gripe

[LilyWDW]

Just to update...

We were scheduled to submit our passports tomorrow afternoon. Keep in mind this appointment has been set for three weeks. The post office calls today and leaves a message that they will need to reschedule because they have too many people off. SO WHY TAKE THE BLOODY APPOINTMENT?

Again, the scheduling is not easy because we'd need to take the kids out of school. Arrggghhhhhh.

Calm...

Someone could have gotten ill, been in an accident, or been hospitalized. With the holiday coming up, most likely some employees are out of town already or have other commitments that keep them from being called in. ANYTHING could have happened and getting upset about it isn't going to do a dang thing.

Reschedule. Breathe.

 

[TagsMissy]

Just to update...

We were scheduled to submit our passports tomorrow afternoon. Keep in mind this appointment has been set for three weeks. The post office calls today and leaves a message that they will need to reschedule because they have too many people off. SO WHY TAKE THE BLOODY APPOINTMENT?

Again, the scheduling is not easy because we'd need to take the kids out of school. Arrggghhhhhh.

life happens.... take a breather, they at least called.

Reschedule and move on. You mentioned there were other options of places, have you even looked at when you can book at those other places? Perhaps if you are willing to go to the other places you may find you can get what you need quicker.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have calmed down. We're heading out of town today (we were going to leave after doing the appointment) and the post office close to our hotel
A) doesn't require an appointment
B) doesn't close for lunch
C) is open later hours
D) is accepting applications Friday.

So, if we can head out earlier than I planned (since we don't have to do the local appointment), we might arrive in time today at the other post office. If not, we'll stop by Friday morning.

Our applications are already filled out and printed, we have our pictures already, we have copies of DW & my DL, we're all set. It should literally be hand over the forms, sign them, and pay and we're done.

 

[cassie]

One other thing to think of. I renewed my passport 4 years ago. Had the picture taken at AAA, forms filled out, and brought them to my PO. If I remember correctly, I expected to pay by check....and was told I needed a money order. To the bank I go..maybe that was on the website where I printed out the form, and I never noticed.

It was a lot easier when I went for my first at the circuit court.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have calmed down. We're heading out of town today (we were going to leave after doing the appointment) and the post office close to our hotel
A) doesn't require an appointment
B) doesn't close for lunch
C) is open later hours
D) is accepting applications Friday.

So, if we can head out earlier than I planned (since we don't have to do the local appointment), we might arrive in time today at the other post office. If not, we'll stop by Friday morning.

Our applications are already filled out and printed, we have our pictures already, we have copies of DW & my DL, we're all set. It should literally be hand over the forms, sign them, and pay and we're done.

Sounds good!

DH ran his passport through the washer and dryer recently, and because he travels for work he had to get it replaced immediately. He went there as prepared as he could be (getting a new passport when you've destroyed your first one is considered a brand new (not renewal) passport, they don't really totally explain this online (I had to call to get the explanation), and you have to fill out a form explaining what happened (not mentioned online AT ALL), AND you don't get your damaged passport back) and it was pretty quick.

Glad our POs don't require appointments!

One other thing to think of. I renewed my passport 4 years ago. Had the picture taken at AAA, forms filled out, and brought them to my PO. If I remember correctly, I expected to pay by check....and was told I needed a money order. To the bank I go..maybe that was on the website where I printed out the form, and I never noticed.

It was a lot easier when I went for my first at the circuit court.

Weird! It was definitely two *checks* when DH went in last week. (the passport place processed the bigger one as an electronic check)

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

PO will take the pictures for $15. There are 5 of us, so it's already going to be $600+ just for the application fee, I'm trying to save wherever I can.


I used the online search and the ten closest are all post offices, all require appointments, and all are basically 9a-4p (with varying lunch hours).

See, I've got time, so I wonder if I can print out my pictures and stop by the post office and let them say 'yay' or 'nay'. Then I have time to get them fixed.


To me, yes it does matter. If someone already had appointment, then the fault is on me, I could have booked earlier. However, I heard the clerk make a comment about not being staffed at the time. A) If they know 3 1/2 weeks ahead of time, they should be able to staff. B) If they are so busy the day before Thanksgiving, surely one person take take the 15 minutes or so to get the application. To me, it's almost a "false advertising" claim.

With all due respect Sir, but *false advertiziing*?...that is a bit over the top.

Relax a bit and don't sweat the small stuff!

As to the photos, I am all for saving a buck when I can.........if there is a question of the number of photos reqiured and your making your own...........just print out a few extra and send the extras, that way your covered!

In any case.I hope you have a great vacation!

AKK

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm starting to think we're not meant to go on this vacation. We show up at the PO in Indy that doesn't require appointments. The guy says, you have your forms filled out? Step right up. We start handing over our forms, he gets to DW's, sees she has an out of state (KY) DL and says we need a SECOND picture ID since we're applying out of state.

He agrees it's stupid. There's no mention of that anywhere online (at least I didn't see it, but I also wasn't looking for it). So now we wait until we get back home. This is just getting ridiculous.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure how much time is allocated per applicant. I'm pretty sure a lot more then 15 minutes for a family of 5.

Not every clerk is trained to do passports. Small post office. The employee is off. No appointments that day. Expected to be a busy day at the PO. Maybe they don't want to be an employee short.

The purpose of an appointment is to match your schedule with that of the PO. There is no guarantee every time will be available, or even offered.

No kidding. How can someone equate a business having certain hours with expecting they will get served at the exact minute they want to be served? Wow.

That sounds like someone showing up to a restaurant that is open on Thanksgiving and demanding they be seated, because the restaurant is open. That it shouldn't matter if they are booked, they should be able to eat when they want. Just not realistic.

 

[sam_gordon]

No kidding. How can someone equate a business having certain hours with expecting they will get served at the exact minute they want to be served? Wow.

That sounds like someone showing up to a restaurant that is open on Thanksgiving and demanding they be seated, because the restaurant is open. That it shouldn't matter if they are booked, they should be able to eat when they want. Just not realistic.

With all due respect:
A) I didn't DEMAND anything. I didn't even complain at the PO. I accepted the time they gave me. Yes, I came here and complained.
B) Your analogy is flawed. It's more like a restaurant saying "We're only open these hours, reservations required." And when you try to make a reservation during their hours, they say "sorry, we're not staffing during that time."

Like I said before, if they would have said "we have no appointments left" or "we're all booked" or anything like that, I would never have posted.

 

[vacationclub]

I've read this entire thread and was hoping reason would prevail....it did not.

With all due respect:
A) I didn't DEMAND anything. I didn't even complain at the PO. I accepted the time they gave me. Yes, I came here and complained.

Your original post.....

I want to schedule for first thing in the morning on November 23. "Sorry, we don't have enough people then, we can do 2:15P." It doesn't exactly work for me, but I'm stuck with it. BUT, IMO, if you have posted certain hours & days, I should be able to pick a time that qualifies and YOU make arrangements to have appropriate staffing. ESPECIALLY since I'm booking 3 1/2 weeks out. Yes, I know it's the day before Thanksgiving, but if you're open for business, you should be able to accommodate me.

Entitled much?

You did request a time that they make an appointment because it's convenient for you, and complained that because you called up and dictated TO THEM what time you want to show up, and because they couldn't accept you at that that time....it's "false advertising". They never advertised that everyone is guaranteed to be able to make an appointment at 3pm or 10:30am or any specific time. Who would do that? They simply gave the window in which you can look for openings. Use some reason and logic here. Wow.

B) Your analogy is flawed. It's more like a restaurant saying "We're only open these hours, reservations required." And when you try to make a reservation during their hours, they say "sorry, we're not staffing during that time."

WHO CARES what reason they gave you, they still can't accept you at that time. If they had said "sorry, another person has taken that slot" would you have the same response? You seem to be taking issue with the reason they can't accept you, instead of the simple fact that they can't accept you at a certain time. It's their business....you are not entitled to DICTATE TO THEM when they serve you. Wow again.

Like I said before, if they would have said "we have no appointments left" or "we're all booked" or anything like that, I would never have posted.

So you're simply upset with semantics. Because they were honest with you, you feel that they engage in false advertising.....strange logic in my humble opinion.

Just FYI, there a lots of other places that do passports....lots of other places. Your local library, many stores, colleges, town halls, etc. We did ours at our local library (after making an appointment based on the times they said were available).

 

[sam_gordon]

I've read this entire thread and was hoping reason would prevail....it did not.

You're right. I've been camped out at the post office waiting for my appointment since I originally started this thread.

You did request a time that they make an appointment because it's convenient for you, and complained that because you called up and dictated TO THEM what time you want to show up, and because they couldn't accept you at that that time....it's "false advertising". They never advertised that everyone is guaranteed to be able to make an appointment at 3pm or 10:30am or any specific time. Who would do that? They simply gave the window in which you can look for openings. Use some reason and logic here. Wow.

A) I never DICTATED to them what time I wanted to show up. I told them I wanted to make an appointment (for which, I had to go down there because they never answered the phone... yes, I called multiple days at multiple times of day), they told me they were available that day, but not at the time I wanted (because they weren't staffed). If you read the OP again, I said I accepted the time. I never demanded anything, I never asked to talk to a supervisor, I didn't complain (except here)
B) Going back to semantics, I never said is WAS false advertising, I said it was ALMOST LIKE (two big qualifiers) false advertising.
C) I got over it LONG ago. You're the one who seems to have to go back to my feelings from a month ago. I'm so sorry you had to read the threads for the updates. IMO, our search for passports is getting funny. IMO, it really shouldn't be this difficult.

WHO CARES what reason they gave you, they still can't accept you at that time. If they had said "sorry, another person has taken that slot" would you have the same response? You seem to be taking issue with the reason they can't accept you, instead of the simple fact that they can't accept you at a certain time. It's their business....you are not entitled to DICTATE TO THEM when they serve you. Wow again.

Please show me where I dictated to THEM when they serve me.

So you're simply upset with semantics. Because they were honest with you, you feel that they engage in false advertising.....strange logic in my humble opinion.

Actually, in my mind, the strange logic is more that you're misinterpreting my post.

Just FYI, there a lots of other places that do passports....lots of other places. Your local library, many stores, colleges, town halls, etc. We did ours at our local library (after making an appointment based on the times they said were available).

Let's see, I went to the US passport site, put in my address and looked at the closest ones... 18 of the 20 are post offices. One college campus, one city hall. Now, I found out later, that one of the sites the list as 'appointments only' actually accepts walkups on Saturdays, so that's what we'll do. It's taken care of. Don't worry.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just FYI, there a lots of other places that do passports....lots of other places. Your local library, many stores, colleges, town halls, etc. We did ours at our local library (after making an appointment based on the times they said were available).

This isn't true everywhere. I just looked up the closest 25 locations that do passports in my area, and they were either government offices like Auditors and Registrars, or they were post offices. No libraries, no colleges, no stores.

Considering that my husband's *expedited* passport is being estimated at 2-3 weeks, every delay that SG encounters is getting him closer and closer to missing out altogether.



Biggest problem, I bet, is that the people that staff the PO in his area aren't the people who put the time info on the websites (passport perhaps, and PO itself). And probably have no good way to notify the people who deal with the websites. And no time to try, given the holiday season upon us.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I want to schedule for first thing in the morning on November 23. "Sorry, we don't have enough people then, we can do 2:15P." It doesn't exactly work for me, but I'm stuck with it. BUT, IMO, if you have posted certain hours & days, I should be able to pick a time that qualifies and YOU make arrangements to have appropriate staffing. ESPECIALLY since I'm booking 3 1/2 weeks out. Yes, I know it's the day before Thanksgiving, but if you're open for business, you should be able to accommodate me.

Entitled much?

Not at all, and I don't see where you're getting that idea.

My former doctor's office is open 10-4:30 with an hour off for lunch. I could say I want an appointment at 11:30 Wednesday morning, but if they don't have anything open they'd tell me when I could be seen. But I was never told, "Oh, we won't have enough staff in the morning; come in at 2:15".

That's Sam's point. These are the hours you advertise this service being available; having all the appointments booked for a given morning (in his case) is a valid reason to not provide service during the official hours. Lack of staffing, not so much.

 

[vacationclub]

You're right. I've been camped out at the post office waiting for my appointment since I originally started this thread.


A) I never DICTATED to them what time I wanted to show up. I told them I wanted to make an appointment ...

....at a specific time to meet your convenience. Dictated is an exaggeration, but you did say that you wanted a certain time that they couldn't give you REGARDLESS of why they couldn't give it to you. Staffing, sickness, lunch, computers down, another appointment....who cares. They still can't take you. Your complaint (to this forum) is that because a web site somewhere says appointments between A and B time you believe you can have anytime in that window, and if they tell you the reason why you can't....and that reason isn't good enough for you....its' "almost" like false advertising. Do you expect them to amend their web site daily with each and every example and situation that causes them to not be able to conduct that extra service at a certain time, just so you don't have to go through the stress of being told "please pick another time"?

I never demanded anything, I never asked to talk to a supervisor, I didn't complain (except here)

Yes, and here is where we are.....that's why we are talking about this.....here. You're venting here looking for others to agree and many are telling you why they don't. I didn't mean to imply you were rude or aggressive at that time, but that your post after the fact implies your theory of what they should be doing for you.

Y
B) Going back to semantics, I never said is WAS false advertising, I said it was ALMOST LIKE (two big qualifiers) false advertising.

Ah, yes, I stand corrected. "Almost like" false advertising. Just like it's almost not like false advertising.

C) I got over it LONG ago. You're the one who seems to have to go back to my feelings from a month ago.

HUH? You posted YESTERDAY and I responded directly to that post. You didn't get over it long ago, just a few days ago you re-started this conversation with the "why make the bloody appointment" posts. What the heck you talking about?
Others responded to yesterday's post before I did, yet you're not asking them why they're going back to your feelings of a month ago.

I'm so sorry you had to read the threads for the updates.

Why are you sorry that I read the entire thread before I responded to something that you just posted? How else would I be able to comment on the basis of you original complaint or on the context of your post that I responded to??????

Please show me where I dictated to THEM when they serve me.

You're right that you didn't say to them."I want this time, give it to me." You actually said that after the fact and posted it here. You were speaking in the hypothetical, saying that you should (your words)be able to pick a time that qualifies and YOU make arrangements to have appropriate staffing
So I was responding to your hypothetical statement. I didn't mean to say you made that statement to them at the time.

Actually, in my mind, the strange logic is more that you're misinterpreting my post.

I didn't mis-interpret it, I simply responded to your statements about what you should be able to do, as I indicated in bold when responding. Perhaps you misinterpreted what I was actually responding to.
I get it. You didn't "dictate" to them at the time. You didn't pound your fist or anything like that. Great. But what you saying here is that you believe you should be able to do that. That's the subject of this conversation.

Let's see, I went to the US passport site, put in my address and looked at the closest ones... 18 of the 20 are post offices. One college campus, one city hall. Now, I found out later, that one of the sites the list as 'appointments only' actually accepts walkups on Saturdays, so that's what we'll do. It's taken care of. Don't worry.

I'm not worried at all, nor did I ever express any worry. But I'm glad you took care of it.

 

[vacationclub]

Not at all, and I don't see where you're getting that idea.

My former doctor's office is open 10-4:30 with an hour off for lunch. I could say I want an appointment at 11:30 Wednesday morning, but if they don't have anything open they'd tell me when I could be seen. But I was never told, "Oh, we won't have enough staff in the morning; come in at 2:15".

That's Sam's point. These are the hours you advertise this service being available; having all the appointments booked for a given morning (in his case) is a valid reason to not provide service during the official hours. Lack of staffing, not so much.

Yes, I got his point. His point is that certain reasons for another business to not be able to accept an appointment at a certain time are acceptable, and other reasons are not. My response (as well as others) is that it's not your business WHY they can't take you....they just can't take you. It's always amazing when to hear someone who clearly isn't in business make such an entitled statement like "just hire some people to come in to serve me at that time". Wow.

Biggest problem, I bet, is that the people that staff the PO in his area aren't the people who put the time info on the websites (passport perhaps, and PO itself). And probably have no good way to notify the people who deal with the websites. And no time to try, given the holiday season upon us.

Of course. It's the post office, a national organization with thousands of offices, each with their own nuances of staffing and capabilities that change from day to day, week to week, and they don't have direct access to a government run web site with a generic list of times for a specific service. And if they did they probably wouldn't bother to update it for those minor ongoing exceptions. They just tell the person inquiring to pick another time. I totally get that, but apparently some people don't.

 

[sam_gordon]

....at a specific time to meet your convenience. Dictated is an exaggeration, but you did say that you wanted a certain time that they couldn't give you REGARDLESS of why they couldn't give it to you.

Isn't requesting an appointment (for anything... doctor's appointment, pictures, meeting, etc) by definition "wanting a certain time"? I didn't say that well, but I know what I mean.

Staffing, sickness, lunch, computers down, another appointment....who cares. They still can't take you. Your complaint (to this forum) is that because a web site somewhere says appointments between A and B time you believe you can have anytime in that window, and if they tell you the reason why you can't....and that reason isn't good enough for you....its' "almost" like false advertising.

IMO, if you say appointments are accepted between 'x' and 'y' time, they should be accepted. If a business says they're open from 9a-4p, and you show up at 3:30p, you expect them to be open, right? If you call your doctor's office and say you want an appointment at 10a, and they say "we don't have a doctor at that time", you don't find that strange?

Do you expect them to amend their web site daily with each and every example and situation that causes them to not be able to conduct that extra service at a certain time, just so you don't have to go through the stress of being told "please pick another time"?

I don't think it's unrealistic to be able to book a time DURING THE POSTED HOURS almost a month ahead of time.

Yes, and here is where we are.....that's why we are talking about this.....here. You're venting here looking for others to agree and many are telling you why they don't. I didn't mean to imply you were rude or aggressive at that time, but that your post after the fact implies your theory of what they should be doing for you.

You're right, I was venting, I think I even admitted that earlier. You never vent?

HUH? You posted YESTERDAY and I responded directly to that post. You didn't get over it long ago, just a few days ago you re-started this conversation with the "why make the bloody appointment" posts. What the heck you talking about?

Yes, I posted yesterday just to update the "search for passports" remained unsuccessful.

Others responded to yesterday's post before I did, yet you're not asking them why they're going back to your feelings of a month ago.

Because they were responding to the update, not the OP.

You're right that you didn't say to them."I want this time, give it to me." You actually said that after the fact and posted it here. You were speaking in the hypothetical, saying that you should (your words)be able to pick a time that qualifies and YOU make arrangements to have appropriate staffing
So I was responding to your hypothetical statement. I didn't mean to say you made that statement to them at the time.

Again, I don't think it's unreasonable to make an appointment 3 1/2 weeks out and expect that appointment to be kept.

Do you never get frustrated when things don't go the way you planned? Yes, I came on here and vented. Yes, I feel if you're going to post hours, you should stick to those hours. If that qualifies me as "entitled", so be it.

 

[vacationclub]

Isn't requesting an appointment (for anything... doctor's appointment, pictures, meeting, etc) by definition "wanting a certain time"? I didn't say that well, but I know what I mean.

Yes, however you weren't satisfied with their reason why you couldn't have it. It's simply a starting point..."what time is good for you?" You: "how about 10?" THEM: "sorry, can't do 10, how about something later? YOU: why can't you do 10....? THEM: none of your business why, we just can't do it, how about later?"

IMO, if you say appointments are accepted between 'x' and 'y' time, they should be accepted.

unless they can't accept it for a million possible reasons including it's already booked, etc....any reason. In your case they made a rookie mistake and were honest with you in revealing why that slot wasn't available. Let me say that again: They were honest with you. Your response is that they engage in "almost like" false advertising.

If a business says they're open from 9a-4p, and you show up at 3:30p, you expect them to be open, right?

Sure, except that has absolutely nothing to do with this situation. You're not talking about walking up to Best Buy to find it closed, you're talking about making an appointment for a specific special service that requires the right people and the right equipment to be available...that's the entire reason why they make it by appointment only. The time window is simply a range at which you can do it at all, not any guarantee you can get any time you want.

If you call your doctor's office and say you want an appointment at 10a, and they say "we don't have a doctor at that time", you don't find that strange?

Sure, except that ALSO has nothing to do with this situation. The post office didn't say to you we have no post office workers and can't do any post office business....they said we don't have the specific extra staff at that day and time to be able to perform this addition duty that requires special attention. Why is it so hard to understand this? They could have just said..."sorry that slot isn't available" and you would have been fine with it..RIGHT? It's the REASON they gave you that you are complaining about. Their honest and understandable reason is what you are hung up with, not the fact that they can't possibly service anyone and anytime....RIGHT?

I don't think it's unrealistic to be able to book a time DURING THE POSTED HOURS almost a month ahead of time.

Now you're mixing up your two separate incidents. The month ahead of time issue is referring to the fact that they cancelled your appointment because something happened (and not your original claim that their excuse for why they couldn't take you at a specific time wasn't a good enough excuse). Yes, that is frustrating when that happens, but as they say...stuff happens. Obviously this post office is very tight on its staff to begin with and conducting the passport process is somewhat taxing for them. Is it a small office? Is this a rural area?

You're right, I was venting, I think I even admitted that earlier. You never vent?

Sure. I didn't say you couldn't vent. I (and others) challenged the basis for your position that caused you to vent in the first place. You certainly didn't think you'd post a complaint on an open and popular forum and expect everyone to agree with you, did you?

Yes, I posted yesterday just to update the "search for passports" remained unsuccessful.
Because they were responding to the update, not the OP.

So.....why is my comment (that is similar to others) any less valid since I just happened to come upon the thread at a later time?

Yes, I feel if you're going to post hours, you should stick to those hours. If that qualifies me as "entitled", so be it.

At least you accept it. Just curious, when you go to WDW and there is an attraction that is closed for refurb, or a room that is not available because someone else is in it....is that acceptable? Or should they somehow miraculously be able to offer all things at all times to everyone because they say they are open for business 365 days of the year?

 

[bumbershoot]

You posted YESTERDAY and I responded directly to that post. You didn't get over it long ago, just a few days ago you re-started this conversation with the "why make the bloody appointment" posts. What the heck you talking about?

He posted new info. You're responding to old info. Sure, the new info is just as frustrating, if not more so. But it's not the same.

Of course. It's the post office, a national organization with thousands of offices, each with their own nuances of staffing and capabilities that change from day to day, week to week, and they don't have direct access to a government run web site with a generic list of times for a specific service. And if they did they probably wouldn't bother to update it for those minor ongoing exceptions. They just tell the person inquiring to pick another time. I totally get that, but apparently some people don't.

I'm kinda on Sam's side here.

To me, if you are going to have a website, you'd better make it the BEST website you can, with the MOST up to date, perfect, information on it. To do anything less makes your website fail.

And an organization like the PO, who works through sleet and snow and wind and hail and all of that, should have some webmasters who are entirely capable of setting up a cgi form for local PO managers to fill out to tell them of changes so they can change it. To make their website as perfect as it possibly can be.

To me, the fact that it's the PO makes it WORSE, makes it less forgivable, that they have bad information on their pages.


It was frustrating as heck trying to get hubby's passport stuff taken care of. First, WE missed the info that a damaged passport does not count as gov't ID anymore. Even though the biggest damage was to the back of his passport, and the laminate hadn't come up or been damaged at all on his picture page, it didn't count, and we didn't realize that. DH had taken the car up to Seattle that day, so he could get to the PO after work quicker (and he'd gone in 2 hours early so that he could go during the curtailed passport hours), and I didn't read that on the site until it was 2 hours too late for us to get up there by bus in time to meet him with his birth certificate.

Then while making SURE of this by calling the State Department's passport division, which is an adventure in and of itself, I found out that there was OTHER info that's not on the State Department's passport site, but that is vital, when replacing a damaged passport.

These sites should have ALL the info, not just some of it, and definitely not BAD information.

 

[vacationclub]

He posted new info. You're responding to old info.

No, I responded directly to his most recent post that responded to someone else. Read it again. I used his OP to show that the person he was responding to was not out of line and to remind him of what he said to start this thread.

I'm kinda on Sam's side here.

To me, if you are going to have a website, you'd better make it the BEST website you can, with the MOST up to date, perfect, information on it. To do anything less makes your website fail.

And an organization like the PO, who works through sleet and snow and wind and hail and all of that, should have some webmasters who are entirely capable of setting up a cgi form for local PO managers to fill out to tell them of changes so they can change it. To make their website as perfect as it possibly can be.

To me, the fact that it's the PO makes it WORSE, makes it less forgivable, that they have bad information on their pages.

Sure that would be great. But I live in the real world. And, their website is not technically wrong. It doesn't have any "bad" information. It simply outlines the times at which you can possibly get an appointment if the slot is available. That information is not wrong.

They don't update the national web site for each and every zip coded post office each and every day of the year, multiple times a day, just to update when someone booked a passport appointment to let someone else know that you can now book on Oct 3 between 9-3, except for 10:30, 1:30, 2 and 9:15. Of course not. They simply tell you when you call on the phone what is available as of that moment, just like every organization on the face of the earth does when people call to make appointments. He's not booking a plane ticket to MCO for gosh sakes, he's making an appointment at his local PO for a special service.

Your hair dresser, your doctor, your carpet installer. They all tell you what's available when you call, regardless of what generic info might also be available on a web site.

Passports are a special service of the post office, something not related to their normal business of delivering mail. Is it realistic to expect each and every post office is going to put that much effort into something like passport scheduling? Answer: of course not. That's why they don't do it.

He's not upset that they weren't available when he wanted the appointment. He's upset because they made the mistake of telling him WHY they couldn't do his passport at that specific day and time, and his response is that they should just hire people to meet his personal needs. Is that what you're agreeing with?

These sites should have ALL the info, not just some of it, and definitely not BAD information.

Your other story sounds interesting, but really has nothing to do with this. Sorry to hear about your troubles. The PO web site, as it is being described, doesn't have any bad info. The local PO normally takes appointments between 9-3 (or whatever it was) subject to availability. That's correct info.

 

[sam_gordon]

He's not upset that they weren't available when he wanted the appointment. He's upset because they made the mistake of telling him WHY they couldn't do his passport at that specific day and time, and his response is that they should just hire people to meet his personal needs.

1) Yes, I was upset (and admitted such WAY earlier in the thread) because of the 'WHY'. Sometimes the 'WHY' does matter.
2) I never said they should hire people. I said they should TRAIN people. Not just for me, but it would help everyone (ok, 'anyone who wants a passport'). But, I still don't know what's involved with accepting the passports, maybe it's too hard for some people.
3) In all honesty, I don't understand why they can't accept them online, but that's another issue.
4) My bottom line... in my OPINION, getting a passport shouldn't be this difficult.