Catman, if the situation ever arises when push comes to shove, it matters not if you have to travel and your passport hasn't arrived in the mail, for whatever reason (unless you were denied the renewal). You can get a same-day (3-4 hours) passport at the office in Philly after explaining that you need a pp immediately and your renewal hasn't arrived in the mail. At most, they might ask for proof of imminent travel (e.g. tickets), but will give you a new pp, and then treat the one that could still arrive in the mail with procedures similar to a typical lost passport.