I recently had occasion to apply for a new passport for my 6 year-old (his old passport was expiring.) Because a few parents might try to criminally spirit a child out of the country, they treat everyone like a prospective criminal.

So, first, because I wanted to save my child's mother the trouble of taking off work during the day to go to the Post Office, she has to go to a notary to sign a consent form. I did not have to do that five years ago.

Then, the new rule is that the child must come to apply. So, I take off work, then take my child out of school to go to the post office to apply.

Of course, this being the post office, there is a handwritten sign saying "Passport Services Down Today." When I manage to get a manager (hard to get anyone through the floor to ceiling bulletproof partition), she tells me that the person that handles passports has a doctor's appointment, so they can't do passports today. After telling the sob story about taking my child out of school, she checks with the clerk who is in the back who agrees to process it for me. Turns out her doctors appointment was made days ago, but there is no provision for a replacement if a clerk is out. Mine was the only passport application processed that day, many confused people were milling around outside wanting to submit passport applications.

Reminds me of my third-world travels. "I am sorry sir, we cannot do ____ today", even when you show up during opening hours. The difference is in the Third World they are at least apologetic, here the attitude was one of indifference.

The silver lining - the passport came in a little less than 3 weeks.