With due respect, Reindeerflame, if you're not currently in the midst of this mess and dealing with it each day, you truly cannot comprehend what a HUGE deal it is to get through on the toll-free number (I belive it's an 877 number for what it's worth). In a previous post, you seemed pleased to report that you have no intention of expediting. I hope that you're ok with being without your passport for a minimum of 12 weeks.

I strongly discourage you from sending your passport in without expediting. This situation may only get worse once passports are required for all travel starting in January of 2008.

Here are a few links you might want to peruse to get a clearer perspective of the situation.

http://whirledview.typepad.com/whirl...ratic_sta.html

http://whirledview.typepad.com/whirl...ratic_sta.html

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35004064

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...or_renewe.html