Cool they were quick:
Passport Application Status
DoNotReply@state.gov
00:48 (9 hours ago)
We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you.
Your passport application locator number is #########.
Your passport has been printed and mailed to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied. 1-2 Day Delivery service varies by geographic region, and may take up to 7 business days to reach the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied.
You will receive your passport in accordance with the arrangements made when you applied for your passport.
We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you.Maybe next week I can go back to the US Consulate and get my new passport…
Big Tidbit Time: They now allow you to keep your old passport along with the new one. The old one is dated for expire with a special stamp, but since we have visa’s and such in these old passports. We need the old ones. The last time I went through this, I had to make a few phone calls and pull some strings to get my old passport back. They also demanded cash to allow me to keep my old passport. $80 dollars at the time…
Therefore, Old Dogs do learn new tricks and now, no charge, we get to have our old passport back and keep it for what reasons we need them for. Personally, the fact that I have tons of stamps from countries all over the world in it, is enough reason to keep it. I now have two old 54 page passports in my possession, plus a 16 page emergency one, full of lots and lots of border stamps. Each one really is a story in my travels…
Therefore, I still am legal as I wait for my new passport. In the past for issues like this, I have had to carry only a photocopy of my passport and visa. Speaking of that issue…
I went and ordered a passport card this time along with my regular passport. I discovered that a passport card is the perfect ID to have when your passport is being scrutinized by less than intelligent personnel who desire to make you wander around with no official ID. The passport card is no good for crossing international borders (Except Canada and Mexico, plus a couple of islands,) but it is an official ID to a country like Russia and will keep you out of hot water if you loose lose your passport, etc…
Therefore, if you like to travel. Get that passport card and it will make life better as you are sightseeing…
WtR