I've done some searching and it seems as though in true FT spirit, most here have found ways to handle their own passport emergencies without paying up for expeditor services. I've had to go that route myself...

I have a good friend, however, who may have to travel overseas in approximately 2-3 weeks. He is fearful of using the Passport Agency's 'around two weeks' expedited service and thereby putting his fate (and wait) entirely in the hands of Uncle Sam. I know that he could try the refundable ticket method and set up an in-person appointment, but I don't think he's going to be able to make that work given his schedule.

Other than hiring a friend to do it (which is allowed) I think he's going to have to use one the passport expeditors. They're all over the internet, though, and we have no idea how to judge whether any of them are any good/not good.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

If your friend acts right away, the Passport Agency expedited service will work fine. I had to use it when I renewed a year or two ago, and got my new passport in one week.

It is just a couple of weeks since the requirement that ALL air travelers - including those whose flights originate in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and other places that are popular with Americans - must have a passport to return to the US.

Some news stories have it that there is a deluge of applications. So conditions of a year ago may not apply.

Perhaps your friend can call the passport office to get an idea of the extent of the back-up.

My company and my husband's company have both used VIP Passports (they are in Houston) - http://www.vippassports.com/

It is expensive, but they have turned around Visas and passports for us quickly.

IMHO, the passport office expedited service should work.

However, there is another option. In case of desperate need for speedy service you may contact your Senator or Congressional Representative. They have access to special contacts in the Passport Office and can get you an in person appointment on relatively short notice.

Note that some Congressional Offices are not too good at this. Your Senator may be your best bet.

This should be reserved for big deal emergencies.

I paid for the regular old fashioned expedited passport renewal with 2 1/2 weeks to spare before my trip and the passport was back in plenty of time.

Rita

I needed a passport in a hurry for work several years ago. I used A. Briggs, and turnaround was less than a week. Costly, but then again, I expensed it.

http://www.traveldocumentsystems.com/

This is the best I have ever used. 1800 874 5100
They have never let me down - deliver my passport back to me within hours of promise.
bb

overseas, i heard amex gold travel assist got a passport in 24 or 48 hours

domestically, you can just make an appointment to go into a regional office and pick one up, kind of DMV style. i did that in 2005.

For my passport renewal I used my local Congressman's office. All I had to pay was the expiteded fee and express shipping through the post office. Total, it cost me $165.97 and I got it back in 4 days. I mailed it on Wed afternoon and got it back on Sun morning. I had no clue the USPS ran on Sun. Save a few buck and use you elected officals as resources.

CIBT got us out of a bind recently on some very quick turns for visas in Africa. Good staff, kept us informed every step of the way.

It's not cheap, though. Total cost for the two visas, including the expedited processing fees, shipping, etc., was more than $800.

I use peninsula visa for visas, and they are excellent/very fast; I am not in the SFO area - I use fedex. They do passports as well - http://www.peninsulavisa.com/passport.htm.

http://www.passportvisaexpress.com/

They are also great with visas, particularly visa for China. I use them all the time and never had a problem.

I have used vippassports and travisa

Both okay, but I felt more one to one service with Vip