sapito

Just got back from London this evening and realized that my traveling companion's passport was in my carry on bag.
Can he go to the US Embassy and get a temporary one or is there a way I can get it to him so that he can at least come home on Saturday? UPS, Fed Ex??

Surfergirl

He'd have to go to the US Embassy tomorrow, first thing.

It's best to use DHL to London, if you want to try to post it.

Robespierre

Airlines offer Next Flight Out courier service counter-to-counter for an Arm and a Leg.

Robespierre

...although for a passenger, they might cut you a deal.

LoveItaly

Oh boy, I did something (not the same) but left the country without my passport (cannot believe they let me on the plane but way before Sept. 11th.)

Here is the USA passport office phone no. It is toll free. 1-877-487-2778.
They are open from 8:00am to 8:00pm eastern st. time.

Also contact FedEx, UPS and is it DHL?

You have called and told your friend, right?

Does your friend have a photocopy of his passport on his person? Hope so, plus other ID like a drivers license with a photo etc.

Well, we know what you will be doing tomorrow, phone call after phone call.
I am so sorry.

The best of luck to the two of you.

Scarlett

This sounds like one of my pre-trip nightmares!
sapito, best of luck to you and your friend!

Patrick

I hope you enjoyed traveling with this person, I doubt you ever will again.

(Just kidding).

hopscotch

I would make a legible copy of the ID page and fax it to his hotel tonight so he has it when he wakes up. The copy will expedite his efforts in London at the American consulate getting a replacement. Also call the hotel after you send the fax to verify that it arrived and that they will get it in his hands.

Let us know how get the problem is resolved.

LoveItaly

hopscotch, that is a very brillant idea! Good for you!

Robespierre

What don't you like about the counter-to-counter idea?

LoveItaly

Rospierre, I did not personally see your post when I posted. Probably the very best idea of all!

MelJ

Scarlett--me, too! I always have the nightmare at least once before a trip. I get to the airport and don't have my passport and there's very little time to send someone home to get it. Sometimes I call and have someone run it over. Regardless of the scenario, I'm a wreck and wake up panicky!!

Betsy

Pinch yourself and hope you wake up to find this is a bad dream! Let us know how it works out.

LoveItaly

Well, like I said I did do this once and still do not know how I was allowed on the airplane.

Called a friend in our hometown who dashed to our house (he had a key), opened up the safe and somehow I do not remember the method of how he sent it, got it to us within the next day.

A nightmare for sure - but it all worked out. Lesson learned for sure.

And I am always one to check and double check everything. But obviously not that trip.

flanneruk

Your post is dated Thursday night, US Eastern time, and you say your companion's travelling "tomorrow". There's absolutely no way his passport will get to London in time.Even if counter-to-counter works across the Atlantic, and if you could get it onto a Friday am flight, it won't get to London till hours after the last westbound flight has left.

You're almost certainly wasting your time with courier services. You're too late for a Friday delivery and none that I'm aware of offer Saturday delivery in the London area - or the option for a consignee to collect from their depot.

Fax him the ID page and it's up to him to take it up with your embassy from there.

Intrepid1

Personally, I have a lot of trouble believijng anyone "got on a plane" without a passport pre-9-11 or not.

I have even MORE trouble believing that same person got through Immigration on the other end without a passport.

Perhaps we could all get thrilled by the details of this "amazing adventure" since the wise one has now decreed that the plans for couriers won't work.

rockhopper7

Take an extra dose of bitter pills today, Intrepid?

Why would LoveItaly have told the story on herself if it wasn't true?

Hope sapito checks back in with the outcome.

kswl

Wow--this sounds like something I would do. Hope it all works out for you.

Patrick

Huh, intrepid? The way I read it is that sapito and this person were in London together -- both had their passports when they went. But sapito flew home a day or two earlier than the companion and upon getting home, realized the companion's passport was in the luggage, perhaps where they were storing it for "safe keeping" while in London. Why is that so hard to believe?

Travelnut

bears saying again: I remain in control of my passport at all times by using a money belt. I don't carry things for my husband, especially something so critically personal....so <i>next</i> time..?