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ToplessRideFL wrote:Does anyone know how long before the renewal date you should send it in? Mine expires 09/2009.... so do I send it in June of 2009? Just curious

Well, many countries will gain you entry only if your passport is valid for at least three months from the date of entry. That rule is the same for a lot of visas too. I would send it in three months before unless you have travel plans then you need to work around that...

They're so far behind in reprocessing that you had better send it for renewal about 4 months ahead, and keep pictures of it! (PS fun... they will send you back your old one too with holes punched in it, as a keepsake so you can see all your entry and exit stamps)

Also, some countries, when you enter, require that your passport is good for at least 6 months AFTER your date of entry. So don't go with one that is about to expire.

And a good site to READ, rather/also than the Constant Crisis government site, is the 'tales mag' site where expatriates who are living in all these countries post reports of what it is really like to be there. Just pick the country you are interested in and they will tell you a lot about it.

If you think you are going to want to drive there, go to AAA and get an International Driving Permit, good for a year and honored by most countries; you have to carry it with your valid home country licence.

bon Voyage!

Why cut it so close to your departure date? I'd want it in my hand at least 6 months before I was planning on leaving, with all the problems that have been going on. Then it's taken care of and you don't have to worry about it. Things MAY have improved by 2009 but I wouldn't bet on it. The passport office held on to my first renewal request in '93 for 2 months before sending it back saying I couldn't renew it by mail...almost causing me to miss my trip. And that was well before all these problems. Best to err on the side of caution.

I got my passport renewed in July and I got it within 10 days of sending in the paperwork. I didn't pay the rush fee and they sent it via regular mail.

I'd say you were one of the very few exceptions to the rule, Bill. I know they have temporarily added more workers to deal with all the problems, but that won't last forever. There have also been issues with the Post Office screwing things up as well. If I knew I was going on a trip I sure wouldn't want to put myself thru any unnecessary stress, especially since there is no issue with renewing it early.

But woooooot! for getting it back so quickly!

JuliaPDX wrote:Wondering how others are doing with passport situation, figured I'd wait until the summer rush is over. Any updates???

Just got mine back from renewal & name change took under 3 wks regular rate.... OK JIMMY WHEN IS TAHITI!!!????!!!!

Just an FYI if you are traveling out of England. You are only allowed ONE carry on in total through security. That does not mean a carry on plus a personal item such as a purse or a lap top bag like it does here in the states. It means one total. So if you have a purse along with a roll on, you need to put the purse into the roll on. You would be amazed at how many people don't read the signs and get stopped and hold up the line. However, once you get through security you are free to take the extra item out.

jimsig wrote:Just an FYI if you are traveling out of England. You are only allowed ONE carry on in total through security. That does not mean a carry on plus a personal item such as a purse or a lap top bag like it does here in the states. It means one total. So if you have a purse along with a roll on, you need to put the purse into the roll on. You would be amazed at how many people don't read the signs and get stopped and hold up the line. However, once you get through security you are free to take the extra item out.

Even more confusing now! Some airports are now allowing 2 pieces of carry on, some airlines at said airports are still only allowing one though!

I'm ready for some more foreign travel: Jimmy, tell us when you're touring so I can get ready for the exotic United States!

I would love to go the Caribbean but my dream vacation would be to go to Sweden/Norway/Finland/Denmark/Netherlands and check out the night life, metal bands, bars, etc.. (yes I am a Parrothead that listen to Metal also)
.............................Japan would be cool or Hong Kong/China/Taiwan




DAMN I NEED TO GET RICH!!

britparrothead wrote:

jimsig wrote:Just an FYI if you are traveling out of England. You are only allowed ONE carry on in total through security. That does not mean a carry on plus a personal item such as a purse or a lap top bag like it does here in the states. It means one total. So if you have a purse along with a roll on, you need to put the purse into the roll on. You would be amazed at how many people don't read the signs and get stopped and hold up the line. However, once you get through security you are free to take the extra item out.

Even more confusing now! Some airports are now allowing 2 pieces of carry on, some airlines at said airports are still only allowing one though!

The BAA just changed that rule. I believe all will eventually allow 2 pieces for carry on. It is a matter of getting more security stuff in those airports.

passports, I would renew at least 6 months or more in advance. Some countried will not allow entry unless it is valid at least 6 months after your travel dates.

new ones are taking about 2-3 weeks, the rush is over for the most part.

carry ons....... dependsing on the airline you can check one bag 50 pounds or less free, some are charging for a second bag.

liquids and gels..... if you are going to take any in your carry on, they must be in containers of 3 oz's or less, and you can take as many as will fit inside of a 1 qt ziplock bag, that must close. Keep the bag handy so that you can take it out when going through security, so that the TSA workers can see it. otherwise your bag could get dumped out so that they can go through it.

Within the US and the Caribbean at least you can take a purse, and another carry on with you. I know when I went to the UK last year, it was 1 carry on including your purse which someone else pointed out.

Get to the airport at least 2 hours early.

one more thought..... if you are going to the Caribbean, and you want to buy duty free..... you can still, and if you have a direct flight - great.

If you dont, you will have to go through customs and immigration upon entry back into the US, at which time you will need to put it into you checked luggage. So pack bubble wrap, and leave some room in your suitcase.