Renewing a US Passport

msmith1199 wrote:

bobsallyh wrote:
One thing to remember is that when renewing, you send your current passport in, don't plan to cross borders until you get it returned.

I didn't realize that until reading this thread. I wonder if there is a way around this? You have people who travel a lot for business and being stuck without being able to leave the country for a month may be difficult for them.

Pay for expedited processing either directly to a US passport agency or indirectly, to a for profit version. I get my passport renewed, normally within 2 days via government agencies, w/o worrying. Costs about 70 bucks more (last time was about 4 years back) and well worth it for the lack of stress. pretty sure you still have to show a ticket proving you are leaving/entering the country w/i a nearby time frame. Also works if you are out of the country and need to pick up at the embassy/ or outlying gov't office.
Have never had a problem getting a visa from another country if my itinerary proved I'd be in transit or had an application in process.

Still, never traveled in and out of the USA during the infamous "freedom fries" period so maybe I missed something.