Another member and I have had a discussion offline about this. I realize we are sort of 'sub forum-ing' all over the place - but hear me out.

The K1 forum is largely becoming the 'I got my NOA2!' forum. As a noob, I can see where it would be incredibly confusing to have to weed through all of those type of posts to find posts that might be relevant to you. Hence a possible reason for all the repetitive posts/question we get -- its hard to find an answer to your question when all you see is posts about timelines, NOAs and VSC and CSC.

We were thinking of K1 subforums - one for VSC filers and one for CSC (TSC/NSC) filers. This way, you could go to the exact forum that is relevant to you and your situation, and not have to filter through all the other 'noise'. Part of this comes from my frustration in the last few weeks before my NOA2, and what kept me from coming to VJ all together. I'm not sure if this would need to be applied to other visa types - but I suspect not (just because of the nature of the process for them).

I don't mind helping people navigate the K1 waters, but I literally couldn't do that without having everyone's timelines shoved in my face and down my throat - particularly difficult for me was VSC filers who were aghast when after TWO WHOLE WEEKS, they still had not received their NOA2. Frankly, I had to wrestle with myself not to post something rude and untoward in such a thread - I'm sure I'm not the only one, and in fact, we're probably lucky that there's not been all out flame wars started over such things. People's nerves are on edge as they wait and wait -- it could get very ugly.

During that time, I started to call VJ more of a curse than a blessing - and I think that's just wrong. And I think it doesn't need to be that way.

I totally support that thought!
My fiance doesn't like to come to VJ anymore either, because he can't handle all the VSC filers who throw in your face, that they received their NOA2 before they even received their NOA1. Or that they have to wait soooooooooo long.

I mean it's not their 'fault' that they live in the VSC area, but they should think about the rest of us too. The ones who have to wait MONTHS for a sign of life. After 2 months we are already happy for a touch or even a RFE, to see, that they work on our file. NOA2 seems to be so far away and seeing the VSC filers in the bus passing you by and waving at you and party, it just gets frustrating.
I am sure a lot of VJ members feel the same way, but just decide to not say anything, becase as Tracy already stated: it would turn into a big war and get very ugly.

So I suggest a own forum for VSC filers!!! That would make life easier for all the CSC (TSC/NSC) filer on here!!!

Diana & John

I completely sympathize, having gone through CSC myself and waited more than 4 months for the NOA2. But I think two K1 forums would just be confusing. Since the issues people who file at those two places are the same, each side would lose the help and support of the other side, you know what I mean? What if the one person who can answer your question (or was in a similar situation) posted to the VSC forum and you're at CSC? Also, what if they reorganize their processing system again? This one is pretty new. etc. etc.

In addition, those forums are really for practical immigration help. The frustration of not getting approved is more or less "off topic" and there will always be other CSCers there to support you in feeling like the wait takes forever.

How about INSTEAD, creating a forum for congratulations. A forum for visa granted/NOA2 received/visa arrived in the mail/EAD granted/etc.

I think that would go a long way farther in making the forum less confusing.

My oh-so-favorite posts (from VSC filers - and no offense to them) are the:
"Should I Be Worried? - It's Been 2 weeks since my NOA1"

I don't have a solution - just a mini-rant..

~Otto

I wasn't suggesting 'two' K1 forums. I was suggesting that the forum that exists now stays in tact, and that we add two 'sub forums' - for VSC filers and CSC filers once they have submitted their petition - where they could go compare timelines, give congratulations, etc. The current forum would be the place for ALL the other questions; how do I do this, do I include that, etc. etc Or perhaps your suggestion of some other type of forum, where you could at least help and seek help to questions in the 'main' K1 forum without being battered over the head with all the NOA2 timelines, congratulations, etc.

FWIW, I DON'T see how the issues for VSC and CSC posters are the same - at least not once you've sent in the petition and are waiting. Frankly, although I know that the VSCers are sincere in their support, its still frustrating nonetheless to be told to 'hang in there' and 'be patient' from someone who got their NOA2 in 2 weeks.

I do agree that the NOAs and all the congratulations thereafter are essentially 'off topic' - which really just proves my point. Why make those seeking answers to unrelated questions filter through all these off topic threads to find the answers they need?

I know this probably isn't going to happen - change comes slowly around here. But I think its at least worth discussing. We all know the emotions involved with this process, and it just seems like the K1 forum has become more about 'look what I got today!' than (as you stated) 'practical immigration help'.

You can try it but I don't think it would help. I'm not sure people would stick to 'their' sub-forum.

*shrugs*

There seems to be more and more 'categorizing' of issues and situations on VJ. Frankly I feel it creates more division among the members.

True it's not as easy to find answers as it used to be. The community is much larger. The more you try to narrow the areas to go for answers, the more people have the perception an answer should 'be' in a certain forum. New members aren't taking responsibility for their own cases. They want spoonfed.

And forbid you respond to a newbie with "RTFM" because your post will be labeled insensitive by all the "spoonfeed" enablers.

We have mods now who move threads around - it'd just be more moving. I'd be happy to mod and move if we thought it was going to be too heady a task. Also, the groups are pretty good about having one thread for themselves - 'January VSC filers' and 'January CSC filers', so hopefully it wouldn't be tons and tons of threads.

Personally, I feel like half the categorizing anymore comes from the 'haves' (fast NOA2s) and 'have nots' (slow NOA2s). At least from a K1 standpoint.

isnt this what the USCIS service centers are for? to discuss VSC/CSC/TSC/NSC etc... maybe I have gotten unfamiliar with the climate of the K1 forum, I must admit I am pretty perplexed by the *month* threads I see popping up everywhere. Regardless, although the VSC'ers may be high fiving each other in front of those having a more difficult journey, its no different that say, the Forgein Embassy forum and even the AOS forum. It can be pretty difficult to ignore, but sub-foruming simply because of unfairness of the system does not provide a solution necessarily to all the congrats going around.

LOL the AOS forum is pretty bad - members post at times several different threads for their same approval! imagine the mess in the K1 forum if that happened

- i had my interview!
- i got a welcome letter!
- i got an email advising of creation of the card!
- i got my card!

its pretty funny, but can be irritating

Personally, I think those 'monthly filers' threads are crazy. IMO all it does is promote hysteria and ill-will.

I forgot about the Service Centers forum. Quite honestly, I never really knew what it was meant for! But maybe it does make more sense to use that than creating new forums.

I don't have a problem with people congratulating each other; I think that's half of what makes VJ nice - that we can understand how the people feel and are happy for them.

Maybe me and John&Diana are the only ones who felt that the K1 forum was 'ruined' for us simply because we didn't want to see all the approvals zinging past us while we were/are stuck. But I have had a few other members tell me (via PM) that they found it hard to be here, too, while they waited - for the same reason. Perhaps I'm just the big mouth.

Yeah I know - don't read the forum. Well, if I have filed a K1, I likely can help people who are about to file -- isn't that partially why VJ was established? It just seems a shame that the entire board is ruined for people during the time they might need it the most.

[size="4"][/size]plz any body tell me how to post something caz i have to tell something very very importatn about my interview which held today at London embassy.....plz send me in email (epapeshawar2003@yahoo.com)

EXACTLY. I'm not saying that we shouldn't promote those sorts of 'friendships' from developing, or that there isn't SOME benefit from tracking in such a manner; but they have a whole other effect for anyone who falls outside the norm. Hysteria and ill-will - perfect descriptions!

I've never been keen on the increasingly segregated areas of VJ, because I really don't think they're a wise direction to develop the site further. They increase the complexity of the site and make it much less friendly because by segregating discussions they help induce greater impatience with those who post in the wrong place or post content that others don't like or agree with. They also increase the risk that a post can be made in the wrong area and get missed.

Personally I'd like to see VJ as easy to use as possible with the fewest possible navigations required to reach the place where questions need to be asked. If there's a problem with an abundance of non-essential/non-question threads being started, namely the 'got my NOA2' type posts that clutter it all up, then I'd look at ways to fix that, rather than fixing what isn't the problem, namely the right place to post genuine questions and answers.

I think to deal with Tracy's entirely valid point about the nature of contribution in the K-1 area, a little more active moderation might be a better approach, though (and with all due respect to Captain Ewok since running the whole site isn't a simple business by any means) expecting more participatory moderation seems like a rather futile hope. However, there was talk not so long ago about increasing the number of moderators by one means or another - this might be the right moment to revisit that issue.

I certainly don't think that there should be any sub-forums off K-1 that are service center related, simply because aside from the timescales, there are no location-related differences in the process or requirements, thus creating such would largely encourage posts of interest to everyone to be hidden one level further down where they would be very easy to miss entirely.

If there were to be such a sub-forum, it might better be one for 'Whoopee!! Got my NOA2!!' where such posts can be made, or moved!

See this thread where I posted a link TO THE ANSWER & was yelled at.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t=0&start=0

A perfect example of why active moderation is a good thing - not only was that reaction idiotic and uncalled for, but the thread then vanishes so far off topic that it ceases to be of any use to anyone.

We shouldn't be trying to fix the consequences of lax moderation by any means other than improving moderation!

I agree with rebecca and jo. Sub-forums would promote a division between all of us who are going through the same thing. Actually, the division is already there, it's just kinda.... ignored. When you consider the K1 process, the only thing CSC and VSC filers have is that we pay the same fee for the same process. That is about where the similarities end and that's where CSC filers frustrations begin.

To me and Diana, this forum was a good source for information.... and a place to share frustrations with those who are going through the same thing. Lately, it's been more of a kick to the groin, as we December filers @ CSC watch as March filers @ VSC receive NOA2. It only makes it worse when you see the "I sent my I-129F in yesterday, what's taking so long" posts from VSC filers. The fact is we are on the same journey, but some of us are taking the slower the 'Fellowship of the Ring' method while the rest of us are pod racing (for the LOTR & Star Wars geek in all of us) to the next step.

I don't think anybody faults VSC filers, but I'd say a good number of us CSC filers do envy you guys. We pay the same amount of money to the same branch of the same government and receive a much more inferior service. Imagine going to your favorite steak house and having the waitress seat you. You have the same menu as everybody else in the restaraunt. You order the $45 special of the day and the person directly across from you orders the exact same $45 dollar special of the day. When the waitress returns, the person across from you has a nice juicy 30oz sirloin with a bottle of '03 Paraduxx (my personal favorite) and you get a hot dog (not even Chicago or New York style) with a courtesy cup of warm tap water. You ask the waitress why, if you paid the same amount, is their special is so much better than yours and she responds that they're sitting in the area of the restaraunt that receivers better food. That is the difference in the service that we receive. That is why when the monthly filer posts go up, there's one for CSC/NSC/TSC and a seperate one for VSC.

In my eyes, it's not an 'us' (CSC) against 'them' (VSC) thing. It's just not quite an 'us' and 'them' thing, either. For us, it's really hard to sympathize with people who are worrying after 1 or 2 weeks when you can't really relate to them. I also doubt they know what it feels like for us to see them.

-John

I am happy to step up and say I will help moderate. I have said for a long time that this site is under moderated for such a huge place.

But how will active moderation help to heal the wounds of the VSC/CSC divide? What do you moderate - do you tell people not to create 'monthly service center' threads? Do you move them when they do? If so, where do you move them? Do you tell VSCers to be more sensitive to CSCers (when they more than likely don't feel they're being insensitve - and often times are NOT being insensitive, just true to life as they know it)?

Really - what can we do? I'm open other ideas as to how to mend what John&Diana so succintly described - if there's anyway it can be mended. It wasn't always this way. The K1 forum was not always so date and timeline driven.

Sorry if this rambles - I'm in a room with a bunch of loud talkers and can't concentrate.

With all due respect, and not with any intent to argue against your point regarding the impact of watching VSC posters with their short timeframes set against your much longer ones, your analogy about the steak isn't entirely fair since in the end you and the guy across the restaurant don't receive different meals after ordering the same one, you get the same meal, just that yours is much later than theirs.

That isn't fair and it isn't right, but it's not as if the VSC users can do anything about it. They have no more control over their processing times as you do over yours. To be sure they benefit from the VSC's faster processing stream, and it's highly frustrating to see that if you're not a VSC applicant, but it's a fact of the system that has been part of K-1 processing for at least 10 years - with a minor blip a couple of years ago when VSC ground to a standstill for a few months.

There's nothing wrong posting to a VSCer when they moan about lack of response after 2 weeks and pointing out that in fact that's a very short duration in comparison to the average times service centers take, and it's understandable to be frustrated by the VSC timelines when you are not a beneficiary of them, but it's not the VSC customers who are at fault or to blame for any of it.

Moderating these things is all about changing the culture and climate of the discussions taking place. Removing content that spits good service in the faces of those suffering bad service, stopping the VSC vs every other SC debates and the like. There need be no place for 'I got my NOA' posts in the main discussion unless it asks a question which in itself is as applicable to other users regardless of service center.

In the old days, there were frequent frustrations between the various SC users - VSC was taking it's customary 14 days and Nebraska for instance was in practice taking 18 months for many I-129Fs at one point. We didn't need to do much more than remind people very now and then that this was not a matter of useful debate since no-one is able to change it. I think I recall having to chop one thread on the subject once, otherwise it was merely gentle reminders that controlled the climate of the area - and that was at a time when processing times were far more divergent than they are now.

I don't think John&Diana was faulting VSC filers. In fact, he said "I don't think anybody faults VSC filers". We don't, and anyone who tries to 'blame' them is barking up the wrong tree.

Just read Andy's last post. I'd be all about chopping away such content as not being 'useful debate'.

I didn't mean to imply that anyone does 'blame' VSCers for their improved service level, just that it's very to take the comparative poorness of one's own service personally when reading the content which, as you rightly said, has become somewhat 'timeline driven'. The problem is that one's frustration at having to wait impacts on the way posts from others who are less unfortunate are then read, and as can be seen in places, it does become personal, and the fact it's become a bone of contention seems to evidence that fact.

I have to say that if were a moderator here as I once was, I would look to be very active in trimming content in that area of the site and removing posts that were not necessary to good 'debate'. I hate that kind of moderation, but I think it's necessary at the outset to get it back under control. After that, far easier, lighter, nudging of threads with reminders where necessary are all that would be necessary to keep things under better control and thus service the needs of all users rather better. After all, even if we segregate the service areas, those who do want to chirp gleefully at their 2 week turnaround will continue to do that regardless, and many won't be much bothered where they post so it won't fix the problem. A moderator able to restore some semblance of community would.

Is it going to happen? I wish! VJ was actually based around that K-1 discussion area so it's not pleasant to see what it's like now! But we managed then to control the disparate voices having to wait brief days or an interminable lifetime for their approval without segregating discussions, so there's no reason to think we can't now. Sadly we'll more likely get the simplest solution or none (and this issue has been raised before), so what do I know!?!

I wouldn't ask VSC users to change it if they could. As I said, I'm envious of them... IF I had my way, I wouldn't dare change the quality of service that they receive to be equal to that which CSC filers receive. My choice would be to have ours changed to be equivalent to theirs. That is the difference in being spiteful and envious. I am happy for anybody who gets through the process, but at the same time it is a major point of frustration. I know I cannot change anything, but I don't have to be happy with the way it currently is. As far as I'm concerned, there is no blame to be put on VSC filers. The blame is on those who are in charge of the service not providing a fair and balanced service. Please, do not make me out to be the bad guy... at least, not by implying things that I never said.

As for the analogy, I think it's a pretty accurate one. In my eyes, the service they receive is better. Better, because it's faster... but in the end it's better. Their service is steak and ours is a frankfurter. That's another conversation, for another time though.

Why do the Vermont petitions have to be such a thorn in the side of the rest of the community?

Everything about VJ has gotten to be so TIMELINE related. IMO it's actually HARD to find anecdotal evidence beyond 'when did you mail your case'.

I'm not surprised the newer members get so bent out of shape if their petition doesn't process at light-speed. It's hard to find content on this board that isn't about zero to sixty in 30 seconds or less.

I guess rebeccajo just succintly posted (in three small paragraphs) what I've been trying to get at. I think the timeline driven VJ doesn't help VJ - it, in fact, hurts it.

There is a good reason to have the timeline data - you can look at it when you want to by going to that particular section of the site. But to have it otherwise shoved down your throat rampantly in the K1 forum seems counterproductive to me.

You can see if you are outside VJ timelines very easily - but having endless talk about it really rubs salt in wounds, not to mention the difficulty of finding what rj called 'anecdotal evidence'. What purpose does it serve beyond that?

It IS as if its all become a race. Maybe we should rename the site to Visa Race.

That's not what I'm doing or intending. It's not a question of anything but the consequence of the discussions there being of the nature they are, and what can or should be done to prevent the degradation of the service WE offer to OUR users here in VJ, let alone what service the service centers offer their users around the country.

I've worked for years around this system and I've seen this happen over and over again, and I can tell you that as far as the Regional Directors are concerned, they think they are offering a fair and balanced service, regardless of the differences in processing times. You don't, of course have to be happy at the consequences of that view, but on the other hand, since that is the system and that's how it works, unless you're going to take an active part in trying to change it (and it has been done, so that's not just a throwaway remark) all you can do is accept it as it is and live with it - less frustration comes from that path.

I've been through this system so believe me I understand it. I've worked hundreds and hundreds of cases, so believe me I know exactly what you mean and have dealt with every inequity in the system you can imagine - maybe some you can't - but in the end, the system is exactly what it is - in almost every respect for very specific reasons.

Anyway, apologies, that's getting off the point of the thread and diluting the potential for encouraging change of whatever form is thought useful. I just wouldn't want to see that part of VJ segregated as the service centers are, because that way lies poorer and less equitable service for our users, just as it has for petitioners around the country.

Because we both pay the same $$, follow the same app process & yet you get processed faster than CSC, it's as simple as that. And all the issues discussed previously in this thread.



very true. But try to tell me a time when trying to be with your foreign honey wasn't a race....

I couldn't agree more. In the first instance, VJ users were encouraged to post timelines because none of the published data from the USCIS was accurate, and indeed, at one point in either 2002 or 2003 the INS (as was then) actually admitted massaging processing times in their mandatory reports to Congress to help hide the poor performance, delays and backlogs. Posting timelines was often the ONLY way members could figure out what was going on and how long their own cases were likely to take.

These days, it's hard to tell if the USCIS are anything like as casual with the truth as before, but likely not since Congressional oversight is certainly rather more harsh and senior USCIS people suffered from the previous experience, so timelines have very little value as they are used here now, and I agree, they are damaging - certainly can be very misleading since they don't give any real clue as to how long others can expect to wait.

it's the facts when dealing with USCIS. Every step of the way has road blocks for some and others sail right through. I'm sorry, but I'm still at "so what if VSC processes faster". It's unfair. So is many many many many other items we could all gripe about on our journeys. Problem is often we are trying to compare our journeys to others' (I'm guilty). You just can't. Use it as a guide, but don't bet your life on how another *march* filer is doing (as an example). It will make your journey a heck of a lot harder.

I really don't understand the resentment towards VSC filers. I know that might not mean very much coming from a VSC filer, but IMO NOA1 to NOA2 is just one component in a long journey. If it's not you're so lucky because you get to file at VSC, then it is you're so lucky because my consulate takes 6 months to schedule interviews and yours only takes 1, or you're so lucky because your AOS application got transferred to CSC.

VSCers aren't the only ones who have a leg up. It happens all throughout the journey and I agree that there's no need to create more division.

ETA: Yeah, what Laura said.

I, uh, third what Jenn and Laura said. It took me four months to get my NOA1 and I saw lots of VSCers get theirs earlier. And sometimes it evened out (people going through Manila or Casa had much longer waits than we did for an interview) and sometimes it didn't even out at all (visas processed in 3 months total) but in the end, it didn't upset me. The wait was a good test of my patience and some other things, IMO.

The USCIS needs to work harder to standardize their processing and better distribute their workload, but there is something to be said for LETTING GO of what you can't control in life.

I've been with my fiance for just over 3 years. For various reasons, it took us a while to get here. The only time I've ever 'compared' myself to others (unless you count the obvious whiny or clingy day/phase here or there!) - where the number of days ticking by actually BUGGED me - has been during the space between NOA1 and NOA2. The only reason I can put that down to is what goes on here. I know, never compare your visa journey to someone elses, and 'let it go' - but that can be incredibly hard to do when its in your face every single day on this board - a place where otherwise I have found cameraderie and support. I felt like I had to give up the friendship and support side of the site to spare my own sanity. But I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Laura does make a salient point - those in FBI namecheck hell probably don't feel any differently (as they watch people get approved past them left, right and center) than us CSCers do compared to VSCers. I can imagine that its nearly the same emotion (with the possible exception that at least you ride that out with your sweetie at your side). I guess it IS all relative.

I think my main idea starting in this thread has morphed into this discussion - which I honestly think is a discussion well worth having.

Well, I can speak for myself and say that when Diana and I sat in my bedroom over Thanksgiving break and looked for resources over the web, this site was the most useful by far to help us with the first steps. Later, we found the threads where people of certain months post their progress with the process. Since then, more often than not, I log out of the forums ENVIOUS (NOT RESENTFUL) of those who will be with their loved ones months sooner than I and UPSET WITH THE SYSTEM (not the people who benefited from it)... while having filed months after.

Though I don't think it's fair, I actually can understand different embassies in different countries having different processing times. I cannot understand the radical difference in processing times between two service centers in the same country. I'd like to think that someone in the US:DOH at some point will or has taken note of this and will do something to fix it. Or, at the very least explain to people who file through one service center why they must wait much longer to be with their loved ones because of where they live.

That said, I do not really see how this level of moderation can be brought to the forum without breaking them apart. Nor am I advocating for breaking the forums apart. The solution for me has been simple., avoid VisaJourney. As they say, ignorance is bliss.

Finally, I guess I'm just one of those stubborn people that cannot let go of what I cannot control in life. I'd imagine that the US would be in very bad shape if people just 'let go' because they could not control what was going on in their lives. For that reason, I have written letters regarding this 'issue'. I've received one response and it was very 'canned'.

That certainly wasn't what I meant by "let it go." I am definitely not one to advocate not holding the gov't accountable for giving us the services we pay for. However, there are limits to how much we can affect our OWN quality of life in the meantime. Writing a letter, making a call, and voicing your opinion whenever possible are all good ideas but probably won't make the petition be processed faster. After you do what you need to do to take action, IMO it's best to be zen about the process.

Of course I can't speak for John&Diana, but in my case, I tried - but it was very very hard. At least if I was going to do more than have a cursory glance at VJ. Not coming here at all helped a bit, but by then, Pandora's box had already been opened.

Do you remember VJ being so 'date driven' when you went through the service center, Alex + R?

I agree completely! It's particularly crazy when they spring up on the first day of the month... I can understand it a bit if it's an 'are any (whatevermonth) filers still left waiting for approval?' thread, two or three months down the line, but it makes no sense to divide everyone up into 'us' and 'them' groups based on which calendar month they filed in! Those threads are strange. Those and the ones going 'OMG, March VSC filer gets NOA1!!!!!' - I have no idea why people need to start a thread to announce that their petition has been received by the relevant service center!

It's even worse (for anyone - not even people who are still waiting on a long-overdue NOA2!) when someone comes along, every now and again, and bumps up every single 'NOA2 received!!!'/'We got our NOA1!!!'/'we mailed off our petition!!!!!' thread (along with the occasional 'Visa denied' or 'my fiancee ran off with another man' thread, just because they don't bother to read before posting the congrats) from the previous week with some copied-and-posted 'congratulations!!!!!' followed by 50 little kicking men. Congratulations are good, of course, particularly when it's someone you've actually interacted with in the past, but it does drive me insane when I see genuine questions going unanswered because of post-whorey people who never post *anything* besides 'congratulations!!! ' bumping up 30 threads in one go and knocking actual questions off the front page! And I can't even imagine how depressing it must be to have to wade through a ton of those in search of questions you might actually be able to help with, if you're still waiting for your NOA2 weeks/months after you should have had it.

Hmm, that was a bit ranty, but... maybe an 'approvals' forum might be a good idea - people could post in there, people still waiting *would* go and check to see if people who filed at around the same time as them were getting approved (and people whose approvals were long overdue could choose not to go in there just to avoid the heartache!), and they could congratulate to their hearts' content! Or failing that... maybe locking those congratulations posts after, say, 24 - 48 hours would at least mean people could still celebrate and get their congrats, then the posts would drop down the forums and leave room for real questions, and hopefully people who (like you until very recently) had been waiting far too long wouldn't want to avoid even looking in the K1 forum altogether?

Hmm that isn't a bad idea at all about locking the 'we got it!' threads down after an amount of time. But as we've mentioned before, that'd definitely take more moderating. The subforum idea (whether its broken down by service centers or those waiting for approvals) would reduce the need for quite as much moderation - although I'm sure threads would have to be moved there until people got the hang of it.

It'd even be nice if you could 'hide' that subforum if you didn't want to see it pop up with the most recent post. Obviously this wouldn't eliminate all instances of salt in the wounds, but it would help!

An approvals forum wouldn't have as much drama or effect (for those who post it, they usually want it). It won't work, IMO.

I am less & less on here (if I actually had a job I wouldn't be). I can't stand how NO ONE looks anything up anymore. I cannot spoon feed everyone nor should I be expected to! I would love to offer advice to those after me but like feather said above, who wants to wade thru 3 pages of posts in the AOS forum saying, 'What does my RFE mean?' or What's an I-693a?

Hmmm....

I am troubled and sorry. I was a "newbie" in February when I began this whole daunting process. I am one of those 'VSC filers' who speeded through in 2 weeks to get my NOA2, and certainly posted every stressful, and celebratory moments. I have a right to 'worry'- when I compare my progress to other VSC'rs- because it is the context/framework from which I work. I can see how this seems disregarding of CSC'rs, but your context is not mine.

I am only recently coming to understand the HUGE discrepancy between service centers. When I posted, I did not have this understanding. I feel terribly for apparantly 'flaunting' our quick passage.

That being said, I think it would be wrong and devisive to split the threads by service center.

I do indeed support perhaps having an "I got it thread" or "Good News" thread for congrats etc...

Or even finding a way to code postings in the title with a "C" or "T" or "V". That way others don't have to open "V" threads and subject themselves to th disparity in timelines.

This site is invaluable to me, and I'm sorry it's been bittersweet for many. I understand, and hope there is a way we can come to common agreement.

And for me, that is the 'rub'. I don't want you to feel terrible for getting through quickly, and I don't feel your announcement that you got your NOA2 was 'flaunting'. Like you said, most people (until they've been around VJ a while) don't understand the discrepancy between the two service centers.
Also, 'flaunting', to me, would require some intent on the part of the flaunter - and I know that in your case (and truly MOST VSCers), that is just not true.

Which sort of goes back to what devilette was saying - people don't seem to be able to read anymore. They want the answers NOW please, and don't seem to take the trouble to mill around, get the lay of the land, etc. before they start posting. Perhaps if they did, they'd understand the differences between the two service centers - not to mention how that might make the people behind the screen names FEEL to read their whinge and worry after 2 weeks have passed and no NOA2 (shock horror).

But I realize that is asking a lot from an internet message board.

I just wish there was a way to collect the important data from the timelines to be used as originally intended - without making a certain part of that population feel as if their only option during the wait is to avoid the very place and people that quite likely helped them get this far without jumping off a bridge.

Know what I mean?

I still think newbies shouldn't be allowed to post until a week after they join VJ. Would def. make them read more!

Let's not forget. Trimming is not the only tool that a mod has at their fingertips. Threads can be moved. Threads can be merged. Threads can be linked to, redirecting the new thread to the original and can then be closed. This still acts as "pruning" to the forums but no active or important content is lost, just kept tidy.


Either way it points to the same thing. This site needs more active mods to keep it sane and friendly. I'm sure there would be plenty of hands go in the air should the question, "Who wants to be a mod" got asked. It would be nice if it was.


No need to apologise. As already stated by others. no-one wants to hush you up. You have the right to post what you did. The simple point of the matter is unless you are one of those people who waited 128 days to get your NOA2 then you could not imagine the grief that comes with seeing the VSC filers complain about their looooong waits. All we are trying to see done here is a way for the people not within your context, of continuing to visit VJ without feeling so much grief.
It was something awful to console my Tracy after she had been on the site and seen such posts. And I didn't feel so good about that either.


What an excellent idea. Of course we know this will never happen. Too many "freedom of speech" type shouts would go up. But let's face it, if noobs, (forgive the term), did, in fact, spend that 1st week reading all that was relevant to their case then the questions asked on the forum would become more interesting as a whole and less moderation would be required. At the moment the exact opposite scenario exists. Too many silly questions that could be answered by reading and searching with not enough moderation to bring it all together.

Being a CSC filer and very envious of VSC filers. I have found this one of the most interesting threads on the board, and I wanted to share my opinion and help come to a solution. Knowing that we likely can't control the Service Centers and the processing times. I consider myself new to the VJ family and very new to the visa process. I have a love hate relationship (each day is different) with various threads and or post on the boards. Sometimes a simple idea can solve a complex problem. I hope not to get bashed for my suggestion regarding this issue.

But, as a suggestion would it be possible to trim VJers signature line to not include IMO all of the information that people obsesse over. Or maybe, including the how we met, officially began dating, leaving for two weeks with SO information. I think though kinda corny it personalizes our various, indivisual and unique situations and draws others to find apsects to identify with. However, our signature does not have to be a timeline; our signatures can list all the personal info and stop and only state the date of NOA1 date received.

The link to the timeline probally exists for the option of digging furthur, if one chooses to to dig into antheers journey ( with regards to specific dates of RFE's or various approvals. The timeline is where the specific dates should go.

IMO, the VJ experience becomes a race as you continually read, read, read and re-read the signature lines.

I am not sure if this is a useful and or practical solution for the VSC vs CSC situation.

Wow. I'm with phila. I filed at VSC and was relatively new here when I filed and began posting. When it got to the point in a regular thread that I saw a lot of CSC filers getting upset and annoyed it bothered me that we seemed to be flaunting. That's why I created a different thread specifically for VSC and February.

I know you guys go crazy when we obsess about two weeks, but it's helpful to us to gauge what's happening overall. We can't do that with the general K1 population because of the process time differences so we can only do it with other VSC filers. For those of us that filed in February, that part of the process is over and now we have very different timeframes ahead as we deal with embassies. But it's still helpful for us to continuing to gauge each other's progress and ###### to each other about holdups.

I thought that in addition to gathering information, part of the purpose of VJ was to celebrate each other's progress and suffer through each other's disappointments. I'm sorry if that's not, but it has certainly been helpful to be able to come here and do both with people that are experiencing the same thing. I can speak in general terms about the process to people in my life, but they're not going to know why I'm stressed that my case hasn't been touched and I'm concerned that I may get an RFE because I might have left something out of the I-129 or the G-325A. Not to mention figuring out when I need to sign the DS230(Part I and Part II) and if I need the I-864 or just the I-134 and how long it will take to get the No-Impediment and don't forget to fill out the DS156, DS156K and DS157. And oh yeah, the DS156 can only be filled in online. I couldn't have done this with my hair intact without VJ.

Sorry, I rambled. Anyway. Maybe there should be a specific "Announcements" forum or something so that good news is not flaunted in the face of those that are still waiting. But I don't think anyone would go there and then there would be no supportive encouragement from fellow filers.

I don't know.

You can turn 'off' signatures where you don't even see them (I do because otherwise I can easily get busted when surfing VJ at work ). Plus I knew if I saw VSC dates in signatures constantlyl during my NOA2 wait, I would have had to jump off the nearest cliff. Beyond that, I'm not sure how you could 'police' signatures, or if its even possible technically. I'm guilty of having my timeline in my sig - so I can only hold my hands up to that. Reading your post is making me rethink that. You're right - that is what timelines are for.

If you ever got bashed for making a suggestion, I for one would defend you. Your opinion is no less valued just because you are new.

Personally, I was very glad to see the NOA2 waiting threads be 'split' out into CSC and VSC - so if that was your idea, KUDOS. Its much easier to avoid the grief if you don't have to read it while trying to comiserate with CSCers on the long wait.

VSCers have every right in the world to want to compare their experiences with other VSCers. VJ IS a place where we gather information and suffer with and help each other - you're exactly right. I really don't think CSCers want to begrudge you that - and if they do, well, that's just stupid.

In the cold light of day, thinking about this again - maybe the 'split' threads by service center is the best way to go (and the most feasible).

I still do think its a shame, though, that VJ has become so timeline driven in the sense that we use them for more than raw data.

I can address those emotions, as I was a Vermont filer and my husband is stuck in namecheck.

As a Vermont filer, I tried to be extra sensitive to those around me. I did celebrate our approval - yes I felt I wanted to share our news with everybody. But I never flaunted it nor did I act as if I expected it. In Fact, one reason I became so active in this community was Vermont - I felt actually GUILTY about the fast approval. I wanted to help the others who were waiting (when we filed, Nebraska was the slow center - 4 to 6 month approvals were normal).

I'm sorry to say this, but to this day I get quite upset when I read Vermont posters complaining after two weeks. Frankly I think it's rude to the 75% of this board NOT filing through that center. I also think that just because something is NORMAL, whether it be Vermont, Cali, Texas or Nebraska, it might not be normal for your case. Researching timelines is allright I guess - but EXPECTING something because of them? C'mon people. That's not even real lilfe.

So now that our AOS is hung up - do I feel the same way about CSC'ers as some K1 petitioners feel about VSC'ers?

Nope. It isn't their 'fault' they got a fast ticket and I didn't.

What I do dislike - in fact what sends me over into screaming rages - are three things:

Number One - The false information being bandied about regarding the transfers. Posters state their case was 'straightforward' and therefore was worthy of a transfer. Or that because they sent evidence of the bonafides the case was transferred. Or because the package was neat. It's all bollocks - transfers are luck of the draw and nothing more.

Number Two - The fact that status adjusters are now getting 'spooked' if they aren't transferred. They think something is wrong with their case. I think this is caused by the people in Reason Number One.

Number Three - The same thing that annoys me about some Vermont filers. If the greencard doesn't come in 60 days or less, they are complaining. Just like some Vermonter's get on edge if they don't have NOA2 in two weeks.

My point? Without knowledge, the process unravels. Knowledge should create hope and support for those in this process - not unrealistic expectations or competitiveness. The more 'selfishness' there is in the community, the less we all benefit. I realize we are all MOST concerned with our own case - but do you have concern or sympathy at all for the cases of others? I do. A lot.

Frankly I'd love to see these boards moderated - HEAVILY. I think that's the ONLY way we are going to have any cohesion or useful purpose. Experienced hands need to be on board to stop hysteria - whether it be timeline hysteria, 'new process' hysteria, or 'new law' hysteria.

My two cents.

what's the problem with moving threads dedicated soley to service centers to the USCIS Service Center forum?

Your first post today, Laura, is the best post I've read in a while (regardless of subject matter).

I dunno why they couldn't be moved there, but I'd be willing to help with moving them if it was decided that was the right course of action.