Passport Applications - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

STeeLy · 05-23-2007, 12:57 PM

So I went to go apply for a new passport (old one is to expire this november).

I have the application filled out, all ID's read, pictures everything. I went down to Harry Hays building about 25 after 8 and line was half way down the stairs.. which is... not surprising at all. The security guy asked who has an ONLINE Application form, they showed it and said they didn't need a number til pre-screening. while us, in his own words, OLD SCHOOL applicants need a number before the pre-screen. My number was in the 40s...

So I went in... they pre screened me checked my photos, looked over my ID, etc... Then it was time to wait for my number to be called. About 5 counters were open. Now, for those who have applied recently, they have A numbers and C numbers. A numbers are for the people who did the written application while C numbers are for the online applicants. Now... Both A and C numbers are called at the same time. I went into the waiting room at A012 and C was just starting at C900... by the time I decided to leave, go for breakfast and come back... It was at A021 and C928... HOLY CRAP... the amount of time C's were called was so frustrating. There was only ONE counter doing A numbers. There was a person, who was about 2 seats away from me came in about 20-30 minutes after I did, sat down for all of maybe 5, max 10 minutes, her number got called.

My Advice: If you decide to hand in ur application in person early in the morning, do it online, you will be out of there in a flash.

End of Rant.

4X4 · 05-23-2007, 01:00 PM

I can't believe how many people need their passports. I go to Humptys for brekkie two or three times a week and the lineup at the passport office is out the door every time.

Cowboy89 · 05-23-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STeeLy

So I went to go apply for a new passport (old one is to expire this november).

I have the application filled out, all ID's read, pictures everything. I went down to Harry Hays building about 25 after 8 and line was half way down the stairs.. which is... not surprising at all. The security guy asked who has an ONLINE Application form, they showed it and said they didn't need a number til pre-screening. while us, in his own words, OLD SCHOOL applicants need a number before the pre-screen. My number was in the 40s...

So I went in... they pre screened me checked my photos, looked over my ID, etc... Then it was time to wait for my number to be called. About 5 counters were open. Now, for those who have applied recently, they have A numbers and C numbers. A numbers are for the people who did the written application while C numbers are for the online applicants. Now... Both A and C numbers are called at the same time. I went into the waiting room at A012 and C was just starting at C900... by the time I decided to leave, go for breakfast and come back... It was at A021 and C928... HOLY CRAP... the amount of time C's were called was so frustrating. There was only ONE counter doing A numbers. There was a person, who was about 2 seats away from me came in about 20-30 minutes after I did, sat down for all of maybe 5, max 10 minutes, her number got called.

My Advice: If you decide to hand in ur application in person early in the morning, do it online, you will be out of there in a flash.

End of Rant.

Welcome to what's called the 'Digital divide.' This phenomenon is where a vast majority of people have constant internet access and businesses and other service providers either only serve people online or gear their processes towards online activities thus driving down the standard of living for those not online and raising the standard for those not online or web savvy. Those who either are used to doing things the old way or simply do not have constant web access to perform daily activities are being left behind.

Incinerator · 05-23-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Welcome to what's called the 'Digital divide.' This phenomenon is where a vast majority of people have constant internet access and businesses and other service providers either only serve people online or gear their processes towards online activities thus driving down the standard of living for those not online and raising the standard for those not online or web savvy. Those who either are used to doing things the old way or simply do not have constant web access to perform daily activities are being left behind.

Yup, it's 2007, get with the times ye ol' farts

Even though I do believe STeeLy is a young'un, which is even more surprising.

Bill Bumface · 05-23-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Those who either are used to doing things the old way or simply do not have constant web access to perform daily activities are being left behind.

So they should be. Honestly. Process can't hang back because people refuse to adapt to technology.

Nufy · 05-23-2007, 01:16 PM

I believe that when you fill it out online, it generates a bar code.

When you go to the office they merely scan the code and verify all the required information is there.

When you fill it out by hand, they have to manually enter it into the system.

I did mine a month or so ago..

Filled it out online and was in and out of the south office in about 45 minutes. That included a half hour in line a 7:30 am.

Got my new Passport about 2-1/2 weeks later.

Cowboy89 · 05-23-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

So they should be. Honestly. Process can't hang back because people refuse to adapt to technology.

I wasn't trying to denounce web-based processes. I think they're great timesavers and they serve the customer better. I get annoyed as well as anyone when wading through a stream of senoirs, performing simple withdrawls and deposits at the teller at 8:30 in the morning when I actually have legitimate bank business that can't be handled online or at an ATM.

STeeLy · 05-23-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incinerator

Yup, it's 2007, get with the times ye ol' farts

Even though I do believe STeeLy is a young'un, which is even more surprising.

That is correct, but no one I knew had any idea there was online apps... I have not seen any sort of promotion from Government Canada about the online apps... Until.. I found out today...

and yes, it generates a bar code... u just need to be there to show ID and pay.

Cowboy89 · 05-23-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I am in the process of doing the online thing. Does it ask way more questions than it used to. I don't remember putting where I worked for the past 5 years and where I lived for the past x years.

Well that at least gives them something to go on if at some later date there's some irregularities with your identification materials or they pick you up at the border or consulates office so they can ensure you are who you say you are.

I think this is great how everyone pretty much needs a passport. Then when they realize they've issued more passports than there are citizens in the census they can get serious about cracking down on foriegn living non-citizens having Canadian passports. Then we won't have to waste taxpayers dollars freeing Lebanese people living in Lebanon permanently who happen to have Canadian passports.

Cube Inmate · 05-23-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I think this is great how everyone pretty much needs a passport. Then when they realize they've issued more passports than there are citizens in the census they can get serious about cracking down on foriegn living non-citizens having Canadian passports. Then we won't have to waste taxpayers dollars freeing Lebanese people living in Lebanon permanently who happen to have Canadian passports.

Until the Canadian gov mandates that everyone have a passport (hello, 1984!), you won't come close to having 100% of people holding them voluntarily. Many, many people either have no desire to go abroad, or don't have the means. If that were my situation, I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting a passport.

Besides which...it's not foreign-living non-citizens who are the problem, it's foreign-living citizens-of-convenience. How can you "crack down" on people who are doing a legal thing?

Cowboy89 · 05-23-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Until the Canadian gov mandates that everyone have a passport (hello, 1984!), you won't come close to having 100% of people holding them voluntarily. Many, many people either have no desire to go abroad, or don't have the means. If that were my situation, I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting a passport.

Besides which...it's not foreign-living non-citizens who are the problem, it's foreign-living citizens-of-convenience. How can you "crack down" on people who are doing a legal thing?

'Crack-down' as in getting tougher on citizenship requirements so that 'citizens-of-convenience' find that it's no longer convenient to be a citizen.

Pagal4321 · 05-23-2007, 02:39 PM

Yep, online is the way to go if anyone is trying to get their pasport.

My dad went to the passport office and was out in 15 minutes after filling out the form online. It surprises me more people aren't aware of the online application.

Devils'Advocate · 05-23-2007, 05:16 PM

OHHHHH!!!!!!

THAT'S WHY I GOT IN LIKITY SPLIT!

I showed up at 7am and was 50th in line. At 7:30 they let 40 people in. By 8:00 I got in the door. By 8:05 my number had been called, everything had been processed and paid for and I was out the door. I felt like I had cheated somehow... why did I skip over the 40 people in front of me? I wasn't about to ask any questions... I just thanked my lucky stars and got the hell out of there.

NSFL · 05-23-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STeeLy

That is correct, but no one I knew had any idea there was online apps... I have not seen any sort of promotion from Government Canada about the online apps... Until.. I found out today...

Actually, a year or so back...I think a year ago. They had commercials and they sent out flyers and there was even a magnet with all the necessary websites and phone numbers. Just I find though, when you don't need the services, you just don't pay attention. So I find out a lot of stuff the hard way just because I glaze over during commercials.

CaramonLS · 05-23-2007, 05:53 PM

Was the security guard a total ###### too? I was there a little while ago, man, did that guy get on my nerves.

STeeLy · 05-23-2007, 06:01 PM

Umm... well there's the big guy... Lorne, that stands at the door... he's pretty cool guy...

There was the other guy today... pretty funny dude.

NSFL · 05-23-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Was the security guard a total ###### too? I was there a little while ago, man, did that guy get on my nerves.

I think you're tall and you intimidate them and so they are rude to you.

I always find the security guards nice and helpful.

MRCboicgy · 05-23-2007, 07:37 PM

Hehe I was there, in fact I was one of the online people that got #C908, red backpack and black hoodie if you noticed, in and out in 15 minutes!

I got there jsut before 8 and was near the top of the stairs in line.

STeeLy · 05-23-2007, 07:49 PM

Yup... I saw C908 go by... I looked at everyone who walked to the counters that were C's... I was about... halfway down the first section of the stairs...

Wait... were u the guy that said I do when the security guy asked if anyone had an online app form?

blankall · 05-23-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

OHHHHH!!!!!!

THAT'S WHY I GOT IN LIKITY SPLIT!

I showed up at 7am and was 50th in line. At 7:30 they let 40 people in. By 8:00 I got in the door. By 8:05 my number had been called, everything had been processed and paid for and I was out the door. I felt like I had cheated somehow... why did I skip over the 40 people in front of me? I wasn't about to ask any questions... I just thanked my lucky stars and got the hell out of there.

You didnt cheat anyone. You saved time at the post office by doing a menial task yourself (putting your info into the system) that would have taken 20 minutes at the office....if everyone did what you did there would be no passport lines. I agree w/ others that the government needs to do a better job of promoting this.