Just checking in as another one who's waiting on passports :( We are due to fly on Tuesday.
Sent applications for DC's first passports via Check and Send on 9th July. Had taken a week by this point of going backwards and forwards with one problem after another (countersignatory missed the word "that" off DD's photo, then they queried the form as one letter went slightly into the next box... and then they rejected DS's photos (which were deemed OK the first time) as they said he was leaning slightly to one side). Woman in PO had said if I got them back to them before 5pm on Monday 9th (had last been in on the Saturday), then they would go that day. I told them our travel dates and asked if I should upgrade to the Fast Track one week service. They said not to worry, that they would probably be back within 2 weeks, but to allow 3 just in case. So I was expecting them end of last week - this Monday (30th) at the latest.
I have done the online tracking thing 3 times - all it says it that they were received in Peterborough on Thursday 12th. So it took 3 days from me rushing them to the PO :(. I was lead to believe they would be there the next day.
I have called the helpline several times, but they say their target time is 3 weeks from receipt so will not transfer me to the progress dept / Peterborough office until tomorrow. So the PO told me 2 weeks from 9th July; IPS say 3 weeks from 12th... Am confused with the 10 day thing people keep quoting as I am being told 3 weeks? Unless 10 days is only renewals?
The woman I spoke to on the helpdesk tonight said to call back first thing tomorrow and they will check progress or put me through to Peterborough to enquire about upgrading to Fast Track. But as it's the DC's first passports I can't see them doing the same day thing and we have less than 1 week before we travel (7th - next Tuesday).
I told the helpline that I'd been advised by the PO that there was no need to pay the extra for 1 week processing and they said apparently the PO have been saying that to a lot of people. Doesn't help me though!
I feel like crying. This is our first family holiday abroad and mine and DP's first time abroad in 11 years. We have saved for a long time and spent so much on the holiday and everything that goes with it, and now it looks as if it might not happen :( The children will be devastated. We are going with friends - so if we can't go, that messes up their holiday too (have booked shared taxi to airport, car hire when away etc). Not an option to reschedule either, as we can't change our annual leave dates.
I am so angry with myself for not doing it earlier. To be honest, it seemed as if we had ages, and then we had to pay the balance of the holiday off, along with other unexpected expenses, so it was a bit later than I would have liked. Then when I was ready, neither of the 2 people I have used in the past as countersignatories could do it (lapsed professional membership / new job so didn't want to risk them being rejected) and I had to find someone else. Then the palaver with rejected photos etc and having to get everything signed again added another week on... and here we are up shit creek... and if it doesn't happen it will all be my fault.