Scary CHL renewal, but with a good ending!
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:24 pm
After reading so many horror stories of 90+ days waits for both new applicants or renewals, I was worried about getting renewal of my existing CHL done before my current one expired. As soon as my renewal letter came, I filled it out online and got "the packet" not too long thereafter. It took a bit until I could get into a class to get the classroom/range testing done, but I was able to mail my completed packet on July 15th via one of the USPS "Automated Postal Centers" inside a post office (since the line looked to be 45 minutes long) with certified delivery.
Around 4-5 days later, I checked the USPS website to see if DPS had received my renewal. At that point USPS says they "received electronic notification from our Automated Postal Center on July 15th to expect your shipment for mailing". I get a little worried that USPS ate my renewal, but decided to check again later before going back to the post office.
A week or so later, I check the USPS site again - same results. I check the DPS website - all they have is "Packet Sent". Now I'm more worried, figuring I'd have to complete the entire renewal application again, but decide to check one more time at a later point before really starting to panic.
Finally, on July 31st, I check status one more time - USPS - same result. Uh oh.. Dreading the result, I go to DPS - "Processing Application."
I checked the DPS website once or twice during August, not really expecting to see anything - really just hoping that they would get it done within the 120 days to my expiration.
Imagine my amazement when I check the mail yesterday and find my new plastic CHL in the mail!
Of course, the delivery address was pretty severely smudged - to the point I'm surprised it got to me at all, much less this quickly.
In my case, at least, DPS somehow managed to complete my renewal in somewhere between 30-40 days, despite the best efforts of the post office to lose it each way.
Around 4-5 days later, I checked the USPS website to see if DPS had received my renewal. At that point USPS says they "received electronic notification from our Automated Postal Center on July 15th to expect your shipment for mailing". I get a little worried that USPS ate my renewal, but decided to check again later before going back to the post office.
A week or so later, I check the USPS site again - same results. I check the DPS website - all they have is "Packet Sent". Now I'm more worried, figuring I'd have to complete the entire renewal application again, but decide to check one more time at a later point before really starting to panic.
Finally, on July 31st, I check status one more time - USPS - same result. Uh oh.. Dreading the result, I go to DPS - "Processing Application."
I checked the DPS website once or twice during August, not really expecting to see anything - really just hoping that they would get it done within the 120 days to my expiration.
Imagine my amazement when I check the mail yesterday and find my new plastic CHL in the mail!
Of course, the delivery address was pretty severely smudged - to the point I'm surprised it got to me at all, much less this quickly.In my case, at least, DPS somehow managed to complete my renewal in somewhere between 30-40 days, despite the best efforts of the post office to lose it each way.
I'll bet you were surprised. That's amazing it got to you so quickly. Congrats Velocity!