I've been dealing with the same handler too and have said to her now not to just give an off hand Ill researched answer but to escalate cases where needed. I suggest you do the same.
For her to suggest that their processing time should be factored into your calculations is rubbish of the highest order because then you'd have to requalify on the 29th of December and not by the 31st.....
Write to Baumgartner and get the higher office to call you back. Also list the flights you're going to book with Qatar instead