The wait is pretty damn sucky if you haven't pre-booked an appointment. Some people wait for 4 hours before they're seen. Literally.
The attendants are a little rude and don't provide the best customer service (that is, until you're seated to be seen and then they're all pleasant. SO...
Here are some tips to help make your time at this passport office easier.
1) Make sure you go around to the actual passport office and you aren't waiting in the general US post office in front.
2) MOST IMPORTANTLY: book an appointment. book an appointment. just do it. You will literally cut hours off of your wait time and you'll thank yourself for planning ahead. I'll say it again...book an appointment. YOU WILL REGRET NOT DOING SO.
3) Try not to go on a Saturday. even if you arrive at 9am bright and early you'll leave by 2pm if you don't have an appointment.
4) Bring a book or toys if you have children because the use of cellphones, tablets and laptops are strictly prohibited. Having something to keep your hands busy will make the time go buy quicker.
5) Eat breakfast or a snack before you come (food and drinks are prohibited inside the building)
6) Pre-fill out your DS-11 or D6-82 you'll wait in line just for them to send you to desks to complete it and get back in line. Don't do this to yourself!
7) Make sure you have your proof of citizenship and of identity. If you're bringing your birth certificate make sure it's the ORIGINAL copy. You can make photocopies of these (front and back) if you'd like but they'll do it for you rather quickly at this particular center so it doesn't make much of a difference if it's a hassle for you to get to a printer.
8) Take your pics ahead of time at a local Rite Aid, Walgreens or CVS. You can do it at this office too very quickly (like in under 2 minutes) BUT
it typically costs $8 at a drug store and it's $15 here. Also, this way you can do your make up and hair under your own terms in stead of having to be presentable after waiting hours in line. (this isn't a must it's just a nice thing to be a little more prepared)
9) If you're not a fan of small kids bring some earplugs, noise canceling headphones and hand sanitizer. Kids are cute, don't get me wrong. BUT many starter families and people with small children come to the passport office because kids under 16 can't just mail in their forms for their first passport. They need to go to an office in person. So expect it to be filled with at least 10 children (some of which who have been waiting for an hour or two without food, a nap or proper stimulation).
10) Finally just try to have fun! If you have kids play some quiet games with them. If you have a loved one plan your next trip. If you're alone turn to the person next to you and joke about the wait! Seriously this is a typical convo and there's a level of camaraderie in the fact that everyone else wants to go home just as bad as you do!