We filed I-485 under the DORA program back in June (no choice at the time, now its optional). We were told at the time not to file for the EAD because it would take the same amount of time to approve the I-485 as it would the EAD.They have yet to finished the I-485 case and we're getting really far up a well-known creek without a paddle. We are seriously considering filing for the EAD, even with the fee hike. Has anyone else done this or something similar? Did you encounter problems with the forms being submitted separately? Is it common to submit them separately? And has anyone tried the e-file?

Sure - there have been several people in the FBI Namecheck thread who did the same. I believe AOS Despair just e-filed.