Shorten PAL Approval Times

Last Friday my status finally changed to "Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued". I called the CFO this afternoon to get me PAL # (have it now) and was told that my card will be printed this Thursday and mailed Friday. I'm almost there. :D:D:D
 
sly mantis said:
2bad4u you still havent gotten your app? We applied at the same time i got my card almost a month ago.
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Here's my tale of woe:

July 05: Did my interview along with my first reference
July 06: I'm off to PEI for 4 weeks vacation (our summer cottage)
July 10: Second reference returned from 2 week vacation
July 11: Second referance called for interview
- One of the first questions he gets is how long have you know Bill?
- His answer about 2.5 years
- CFC tells him sorry you do not qualify - you must know Bill for a mininum of 3 years
- He calls me in PEI immediately and tells me he f**ked up because he was nervous (I've know him for almost 4 years)
- I call CFC from cottage and ask them what happens now
- I'm told that a special form will be mailed to me (back home) requesting to provide another reference - I am NOT happy
- Latter that night I decide to see if the CFC can mail the forms to the cottage to save some time (I will not be back home for another 3 weeks)
July 12: Call the CFC and explain the situation and ask them to send the forms to the cottage
- CFC tells me that they have already been mailed out to my home address
- I ask them to send the forms again to PEI
- CFC tells me "I'll see what I can do"
July 20: Forms arrive in PEI
- I express mail them to my new second reference
July 22: Forms arrive at my new second reference
July 27: My reference express mails the forms to CFC
Aug 02: Form arrives at CFC
Aug 11: CFC web site now shows that they have received the information
Aug 12: My reference calls for interview
Aug 15: Called the CFO and got my RPAL #

It was unfortuniate for me that my original second reference got nervous and messed up.

The lesson learned to others - when talking to your references stress the fact that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years. They can not be casual about this and say something like "about 2.5 years" like mine did.
 
Current Status: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued.
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About time! and it's actually great timing so I can now fill out my apps for a new job, time to get out of kitchen work one thing and for all.
 
Heyy ... great thread :)

I'm looking to do the course to get my PAL/rPAL soon....

I've a few questions;

-Can someone give me examples of the "interview" questions? I'm kinda nervous ... lol

-My GST cheques have my middle name on them, whereas my Driver's License (and perhaps passport too) don't. Would this be an issue? My first/last name are quite common ...

-Will I get my PAL and rPAL at the same time? (Will I only get the rPAL, which emcompasses the PAL?) Or will I get the PAL first then the rPAL later? (I have a feeling this is a really dumb question, forgive me!)

Thanks!
 
kai-wun said:
Heyy ... great thread :)

I'm looking to do the course to get my PAL/rPAL soon....

I've a few questions;

-Can someone give me examples of the "interview" questions? I'm kinda nervous ... lol

-My GST cheques have my middle name on them, whereas my Driver's License (and perhaps passport too) don't. Would this be an issue? My first/last name are quite common ...

-Will I get my PAL and rPAL at the same time? (Will I only get the rPAL, which emcompasses the PAL?) Or will I get the PAL first then the rPAL later? (I have a feeling this is a really dumb question, forgive me!)

Thanks!
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I can only help with the interview questions, and only if Ontario info applies to everyone.

I did my interview less then 2 months ago. You will be asked your personal ID, then your reason for wanting an restricted licence. You must say target shooting (assuming your not a 'collector') Then they ask about your criminal record, if you don't have one the answers are all no.

You will then be asked a variety of questions concerning your mental state (depression, psychosis, alcohol or drug use) If you have no mental problems the answers will all be no.

Your references will get far worse questions. My references were NOT asked the exact same question set so there may be some variability. They were asked everything from safe storage, to whether or not your fascinated with school shootings or violence. Make sure you choose your references wisely and inform them the extent of the interview.
 
Mat_890 said:
I can only help with the interview questions, and only if Ontario info applies to everyone.

I did my interview less then 2 months ago. You will be asked your personal ID, then your reason for wanting an restricted licence. You must say target shooting (assuming your not a 'collector') Then they ask about your criminal record, if you don't have one the answers are all no.

You will then be asked a variety of questions concerning your mental state (depression, psychosis, alcohol or drug use) If you have no mental problems the answers will all be no.

Your references will get far worse questions. My references were NOT asked the exact same question set so there may be some variability. They were asked everything from safe storage, to whether or not your fascinated with school shootings or violence. Make sure you choose your references wisely and inform them the extent of the interview.
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Thank you for the response!

I guess I'm just nervous in general since I'm not very good with (job) interviews lol.

I don't have a record, aside from a couple speeding/parking tickets f:P:2:

Completely normal mental state. Hmm.. references; what can be used as a reference? Can they be just friends or they must be someone with "authority" (teacher perhaps?)
 
kai-wun said:
Thank you for the response!

I guess I'm just nervous in general since I'm not very good with (job) interviews lol.

I don't have a record, aside from a couple speeding/parking tickets f:P:2:

Completely normal mental state. Hmm.. references; what can be used as a reference? Can they be just friends or they must be someone with "authority" (teacher perhaps?)
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Friends are fine, you do NOT need someone with "authority".
 
kai-wun said:
Thank you for the response!

I guess I'm just nervous in general since I'm not very good with (job) interviews lol.

I don't have a record, aside from a couple speeding/parking tickets f:P:2:

Completely normal mental state. Hmm.. references; what can be used as a reference? Can they be just friends or they must be someone with "authority" (teacher perhaps?)
Click to expand...

No need to be nervous. Easy stuff.

Your references can be pretty well anyone, even friends or even family. I think the only restriction is they can't be your spouse.

Edit: Damn 2Bad4u beat me too it!
 
Ontario timeline for me. Mailed completed RPAL application on July 1st, approx. 2 weeks later - 3 interviews done (2 references and applicant), online approval Aug. 8th, received RPAL Aug. 16th.
 
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