I generally don't wait very long either. I'll give it a few days after the first segment posts, or until the next itinerary posts, whichever comes first.

With the UA boarding passes, it seems that the little stub part is the part you keep. I fly out of PHL and that's the part they give me all the time.

Perhaps I'm the only one, but I prefer to request credit using the Submit a Question facility in the FAQ/Assistance section of the Aeroplan web site. I just submit a request for the missing miles, including my name, the flight number, and the date of travel. The system suggests some answers related to missing credits, I skip over those and hit the Finish Submitting Question button.

I couldn't find an email address anywhere on the Aeroplan web site, so that's how I email them.

Generally I get the credits posted very quickly, and they have never requested any supporting documentation. One time an Aeroplan agent explained to me on the phone that it's very simple for them to check whether I was on a certain flight for a given date. Of course, he still wouldn't do it for me over the phone.

Perhaps it's easier for SEs on the phone, but I find that the easiest for me.