Son of a Plug,
I couldn't agree more with Jotronic on the passport.
I will be heading to Canada, by plane, on May 27th for my HT. 2 years ago when I flew to Vancouver on vacation, the customs agent was a major pain when I tried to come back into the US. He almost didn't let me because while quizzing me on my Birth Certificate, I couldn't remember the attending physician. Must have been a slow day at his desk.
I just received my Passport a week ago and I'm hoping it will make things easier this go around.
Applying for one was no big deal. I downloaded the pertinent forms from the State Dept. web sight (www.state.gov). I filled that out, went to Walgreens at 7:15 AM and paid $8 to have my picture snapped. I took my application, my pictures, my birth certificate, and a check for $85 to the Main Post Office here in Boise. 10 days later I received both my birth certificate and my passport back. I'm assuming it was so quick because of the SARS scare and the Iraq deal.
--Blake