Abbey Road

People have taken issue with my blogs because I take so many pot shots at the folks in our Federal government. Part of the reason is that I’m a Baby Boomer and that’s how we see the government … Viet Nam and Watergate. And besides, they keep giving me so much ammunition.

Be that as it may, every so often the Feds put something together and actually improve a service they deliver to the rest of us.

In the last 24 hours, I had the chance to experience the panic of someone telling me I should be in Paris next week and I cringe looking at the expired passport on my desk.

The Post Office told me the it would take four to five weeks to receive a new one. That wasn’t going to work although even I had to remember that they are only handling the service for people who plan ahead with their international traveling agendas.

I tried the tool-free number from the State Department’s Passport renewal Service. Although the menu is way too long, I was actually able to schedule an appointment to renew my passport in downtown Chicago the next day.

The prompts told me what to bring and when.

Next day, I head off to the Federal Building in downtown Chicago and walk up to the counter at the appointed time. The lady asks me for my application and I realize I’d left the thing at home. I knew that was the end.

“No problem,” she tells me. “Just fill this out and come back over.”

Ten minutes later she hands me off to someone else. In 20 minutes I’m writing a check for the original $75 fee plus an extra $60 for letting it expire and expecting them to save my reputation with the people who are expecting to see me in Paris.

“When’s your travel date?” If I had my passport back I could probably go in about 10 days. “You’ll have it by then,” the passport lady tells me. “In fact, you can have it back today if you want?”

“Sir … sir? Did you want it back today?”

I’m stunned. “Sure,” I said.

“See you back here at 3:30,” she tells me. Two hours later I have my new passport and the client is saved … as well as me.

Thank you State Department.

“So Condi … how about coffee when I’m in town again? I want to tell you what a nice job your folks did in Chicago.”