Same day passports?

[Weasil]

Hi,
I have to get a passport. The state department website says that you can get them on the same day if you are travelling within two weeks and make an appointment to go to the passport processing center in your city (in my case Chicago).
Anybody on here had any luck doing this? Does it help if you show them your airline ID or do you need a travel itinerary ( I guess I could print some boarding passes for a trip to Canada - nonrev of course). What about just taking a letter from the Chief Pilot?

Thanks.

 

[Airboss]

I did it in Washington DC...you first MUST get an appointment. go to the dept of state website and it is under there. I dropped off my passport at 10am and had it back by 3. I printed up a non-rev intl interary and just incase and brought my company id....no problems there, very simple.

 

[Weasil]

I did it in Washington DC...you first MUST get an appointment. go to the dept of state website and it is under there. I dropped off my passport at 10am and had it back by 3. I printed up a non-rev intl interary and just incase and brought my company id....no problems there, very simple.

Did they look at the itinerary or just your airline ID?

 

[HA25]

Google a company called Travisa, we use them to get passports/visas done same day.. big $$, but it's your only bet.

 

[SHEEHANJ]

Call your Congressmen it is a little known secret but they can get you pref treatment for this kind of stuff (They have people set up in the local office for this sort of stuff use it it's where your tax money goes)... I did mine about two months ago it took a total of four hours... They'll set you up with an appointment time in the city of your choice and wont give you a hard time if you need it for work... The total charge is $162 because it is considered expedited... It takes four hours because of the processing time.. I jumpseated down to Miami for mine... it's $3.50 for the roundtrip bus ride... I grabbed a nice bite to eat down on the water picked it up and headed home in the same day... Just remember to be good to the gate agents on the way home because your new passport will give them trouble in CASS but if you're nice and explain how it is new they'll work with you...

 

[Airboss]

Did they look at the itinerary or just your airline ID?

I believe they looked at my itinerary. I like the congressman idea, so try either route.
If you go into DC....fly into DCA and take the metro...i believe Farragaut West?
While waiting for the passport go to one of the museums.
Good luck.

 

[Casper]

Passport

AirBoss is right you can go to DC and get it the same day.
If you tell them that you are flight crew and show them your badge it wont take more than an a few hours or so. I had mine renewed there in less than two hours.

 

[Marsupial]

i did mine at the one in denver. i called in advance to inquire about the process...just needed a letter on company letterhead stating you are flight crew and need to have a passport. just that and the company id was all it took. go early in the day if you want it back same day tho. i couldn't get down there till near the end of the day so had to go back to pick it up the following day.

 

[Weasil]

Thanks for all the tips so far. I tried contact my congresswoman's office (melissa bean IL 8th district) and I got a call from somebody there telling me to just go to the passport office in Chicago. I told him I couldn't even get through on the phone to make an appointment (the phone system just disconnects you because it is too busy) and he said to just show up at 6am and stand in line until the office opens. He said to bring the letter from the company, so this is what I am going to try... I guess we'll see if they let me in!?

 

[roadrunner]

I went to the Denver office and they told me a company ID was sufficient. I also created a phony intl itinerary, but they didnt need it. Got my passport mailed to me in 2 days.

 

[upndsky]

I did mine in DC, but Chicago will be the same.

I called and got a date and time for an appointment. I then brought my ID, a letter from my CP saying I needed a passport as part of my duties as well as a print out of my month's schedule.

As someone already said, if you want it back the same day, make sure you get an appointment for early in the morning since it takes them several hours to process it.

 

[Weasil]

I did manage to get through on the phone system after a week of trying. I got an appointment for about two weeks from now (first available) - which is Ironic because the system is meant for people who have to travel in the next 14 days.

 

[MrSky]

I had my company write on their letterhead that I was a Reserve Pilot and could be called to duty at any time and needed an immediate replacement. Worked just fine at the LAX office (Federal Building in Santa Monica CA), but it is an all day ordeal, they do not make it easy.

At LAX bring Cash and leave your cell phone in your car, if it has a camera you can't bring it in the Federal Building.

 

[flygirl_1313]

A co-worker went to the Chicago location today and was turned away because he didn't have an appointment, had letters and id's and such but no scheduled appointment... I would say you better schedule one for Chicago. They seem a bit more hard core then other locations for the people I've spoke to. Good luck.

 

[Weasil]

A co-worker went to the Chicago location today and was turned away because he didn't have an appointment, had letters and id's and such but no scheduled appointment... I would say you better schedule one for Chicago. They seem a bit more hard core then other locations for the people I've spoke to. Good luck.

Okay, glad to know that, I will just wait for my appointment date then. i was thinking about just going down there but sounds like that would be a waste of a day off now.

 

[LandRoverNut]

Good Luck Weasil!!

 

[JediNein]

You can also schedule online, your best bet.

The LAX office seems to be much better with passports than Chicago -- it might be worth the trip. Bring your international itinerary.

Good luck!

 

[ThrottleJockey1]

Weasil, They haven't deported you yet? I had contacted the INS and alerted them about a Ground Instructor turned line pilot that was a flight risk. They were informed that he has been hopping from airline to airline. I mentioned that you talked funny and loved "Aisle Donkeys". I guess they are still on your tail.............. My highest regards............