I thought I'd register so I can provide my experience. I was upgrading from a rPOL to a rPAL here in BC.
-Mailed my application Oct 1st, via regular mail.
-Oct. 6th - received in Miramichi - but it didn't show up online until Nov 4th, the same day my credit card was charge the $80. 29 days. From my earlier conversation with someone at the call centre, she indicated that mail received on a given day is put in a bin to wait out 28 days before it is processed. She said, depending on the volume of mail, they can get behind by a few days.
-Nov 12th called Miramichi as to the next step and was told to have one of my references call in.
-Nov 17th, reference called in for interview. Afterward, my application was transferred to the BC CFO for final approval. And that's where it sat, and sat....
I called Miramichi at the beginning, and again in the middle, of December. Both times, I was given the "BC CFO is very busy; you have to be patient" spiel. So I waited some more, checking my online status every other day. No change.
Finally, on Jan 2nd, I checked my online status; still no change. That was already 90 days since they received my application.
I didn't want to bother calling Miramichi again because they can't seem to do anything once it's at the BC CFO; so, I phoned the BC CFO directly (extension 9530). I was on hold for about 15 minutes before I got through to someone; but, once I did, the nice lady asked me for my application information, click-clacked on her keyboard for a minute and then told me my application was approved!
-Jan 9th - it arrived in the mail today.
I'm certain that, if I hadn't called the BC CFO directly to inquire on the status of my application, it would still be sitting there in limbo.
Based on my experience, I would definitely recommend people to call the BC CFO directly, if it's taking too long (ie. more than the 45 days service standard they claim on their website.)
It sure seems like the "squeaky wheel gets the grease", when it comes to PAL applications.