Reasons for Optimism

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

So, uh, Wyatt.... did you make that call or what?

Okay, okay. I just sent an email.

I sort of hate to do that, as I know they're backlogged as it is and don't need to take five minutes to read and respond to emails such as this...but I figure that if there's any sort of constructive response, at least it will ease the minds of a few folks here.

[trailmix 77]

I can't believe no one who finished months ago has called!

But hey, that's me, I never had a problem calling them - sometimes every day for a week - and they were always nice to me.

[lgg 2]

I just called. They're finished scheduling for the month of December.

See? I told you... my theory is right. They schedule between 1 and 4 CR1s at the very end of the month, then lie to us, tell us to call back the second week of the next month and when we call back then... they're done.

This is starting to get really, really uncool.

I can't believe no one who finished months ago has called!

But hey, that's me, I never had a problem calling them - sometimes every day for a week - and they were always nice to me.

[Peachey 10]

They could just be telling you that to get you to stop calling.

They told Varba and I not to expect and interview until at least January... and we had ours last week.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

*sigh*

This is very depressing news.

I guess I owe you a poutine, Lgg.

Who told you they were done scheduling for December?

[trailmix 77]

Bah, lgg knows that doesn't really mean anything - but I know it's hard for you to call lgg! Chin up!

[lgg 2]

Yeah, it's okay-ish-ish.... I called NVC, some woman who mumbled her name... but I believe them, this has been their M.O. for the past few months --it's to the clock, pretty much. It's not just me I'm bummed about either, it's the people from July waiting before me, and the people who finished after me -- how long WILL we wait? Like are we really stuck here living in limbo-land for many more months?

*shrugs*

(just learned that from Malr... it's pretty appropriate)

Well, I guess i'll make good on the xmas ticket we got and the time I booked off from work and go and have a xmas visit. But geez... it mostly sucks because we have NO recourse. Who'm I gonna write a letter to next, President Obama????

Well, chin up everyone -- let's see what the next month of waiting brings, right?

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

What about what the director of the Montreal consulate said a week and a half ago though? Didn't he say scheduling would be "very soon"?

[lgg 2]

They have no real reason to tell us the truth. Why would he/they care? I think it's like most government organizations, just say what you feel needs to be said to get people off your back for the moment but offer no real solution or viable options or anything like that. I never, not for one moment, took that to be the gospel truth. They don't owe us anything at all. they'll make us wait for as long as they can so that they can get done what needs to be done. We are the final result for that fix... or rather, our getting interviews will be the final result of what they need to fix. WHo knows how long it'll take them to fix it.

What about what the director of the Montreal consulate said a week and a half ago though? Didn't he say scheduling would be "very soon"?

[bowflex 0]

Yeah, it's okay-ish-ish.... I called NVC, some woman who mumbled her name... but I believe them, this has been their M.O. for the past few months --it's to the clock, pretty much. It's not just me I'm bummed about either, it's the people from July waiting before me, and the people who finished after me -- how long WILL we wait? Like are we really stuck here living in limbo-land for many more months?

*shrugs*

(just learned that from Malr... it's pretty appropriate)

Well, I guess i'll make good on the xmas ticket we got and the time I booked off from work and go and have a xmas visit. But geez... it mostly sucks because we have NO recourse. Who'm I gonna write a letter to next, President Obama????

Well, chin up everyone -- let's see what the next month of waiting brings, right?

If you're in any way out of the posted times you can contact the state senator and they will have their office call. I got my senator involved when Montreal was dragging its feet and continued to be a pain in their ####### until they did the right thing

[lgg 2]

I guess so... my husband already got a hold of his congressman and filled out a release of information in order for the congressman to go and see what was happening. But the truth is... they can't really expedite any files so... I just wish Montreal would pick it up a bit -- I don't' care if they're getting their damn feelings hurt reading this. I realize that yes, some of them were working hard. We're all working hard. So we get to be held back because of a flaw in their managerial system??? How can that possibly be right?

But I look at my job, if we were falling behind on our publishing schedules (and we're two people down due to maternity leave and such) we would get our butts kicked. We HAVE to fulfill our timeline despite being short-staffed. If it means that I log off of VJ or come in early or work over lunch or stay late, then that is what I must do.

My boss makes sure that that happens. WE could never let a publishing mandate go unfulfilled for 3 or 4 or 5 months beyond 'processing' times.

Just saying.

[bowflex 0]

I guess so... my husband already got a hold of his congressman and filled out a release of information in order for the congressman to go and see what was happening. But the truth is... they can't really expedite any files so... I just wish Montreal would pick it up a bit -- I don't' care if they're getting their damn feelings hurt reading this. I realize that yes, some of them were working hard. We're all working hard. So we get to be held back because of a flaw in their managerial system??? How can that possibly be right?

But I look at my job, if we were falling behind on our publishing schedules (and we're two people down due to maternity leave and such) we would get our butts kicked. We HAVE to fulfill our timeline despite being short-staffed. If it means that I log off of VJ or come in early or work over lunch or stay late, then that is what I must do.

My boss makes sure that that happens. WE could never let a publishing mandate go unfulfilled for 3 or 4 or 5 months beyond 'processing' times.

Just saying.

Oh completely agree, I remember talking about this same stuff with my wife when we were out of the times. You should check and see if any state representative of his has anything to do with the immigration board. Luckily my senator (Senator Levin of MI) was the head of a board and they completely RODE Montreal and called and mailed them a bunch of stuff. Now granted it ended up annoying the Consul and she even stated to them, in other words of course, that the reason the review was taking longer was because she was getting annoyed. In the end I called Montreal every single day and had the Senator's office contact her a few times a week until it was finally remedied

[lgg 2]

Ah bowflex...

I really feel like our hands are so tied here. I was talking to my friend Malr... and well, I guess the BEST thing we can do is have him come up here, as he is this Thursday, and then I'll go down there for almost two weeks at Xmas and then hopefully, maybe they'll schedule a whole HUGE pile of us for January. I just feel at this point, I don't want to piss anyone off, I'm tired of writing letters to people who don't really give a sh!t, I just want Montreal to start scheduling.

May I ask though... how long, as in months, did you end up waiting for your interview?

I guess so... my husband already got a hold of his congressman and filled out a release of information in order for the congressman to go and see what was happening. But the truth is... they can't really expedite any files so... I just wish Montreal would pick it up a bit -- I don't' care if they're getting their damn feelings hurt reading this. I realize that yes, some of them were working hard. We're all working hard. So we get to be held back because of a flaw in their managerial system??? How can that possibly be right?

But I look at my job, if we were falling behind on our publishing schedules (and we're two people down due to maternity leave and such) we would get our butts kicked. We HAVE to fulfill our timeline despite being short-staffed. If it means that I log off of VJ or come in early or work over lunch or stay late, then that is what I must do.

My boss makes sure that that happens. WE could never let a publishing mandate go unfulfilled for 3 or 4 or 5 months beyond 'processing' times.

Just saying.

Oh completely agree, I remember talking about this same stuff with my wife when we were out of the times. You should check and see if any state representative of his has anything to do with the immigration board. Luckily my senator (Senator Levin of MI) was the head of a board and they completely RODE Montreal and called and mailed them a bunch of stuff. Now granted it ended up annoying the Consul and she even stated to them, in other words of course, that the reason the review was taking longer was because she was getting annoyed. In the end I called Montreal every single day and had the Senator's office contact her a few times a week until it was finally remedied

[Malrothien 6]

Yep, I've pretty much decided that there isn't anything I can do about any of this so I am just going to enjoy my holidays as best I can.

I've spent all morning cleaning our house, prepping it to decorate next week and to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the two of us.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Don't worry guys, you'll get your interviews soon!

I'll keep cheering for you!