I finally got through to the 877# but it wasn't really worth the time on hold waiting for a live person. It didn't seem like she could see anything more than what I could see online, which was that my application was still "In Process." She took down my travel date and told me she would flag it as urgent. But supposedly, my congressional inquiry had done the same thing several days earlier with no apparent result as yet.

I found it disconcerting that she also checked for appointments at the Miami in-person location without my requesting this, but told me there were no appointments available, and suggested that if I hear nothing by the middle of next week, that I call back to see if I can get an appt. in Miami, a 4-5 hour drive one way.