Xenob

A note for everyone who received their case number from NVC/DOS, here's a way to figure out exactly* when your case left NVC.
By exactly, I mean given normal circumstances and your package was not lost or something to that effect.
First, let's take apart your case number from NVC/DOS. It should be in AAA########## format. For the purposes of this note, let's use MTL2013756004 as an example.
AAA - this is the three letter consulate code. MTL is for Montreal. #### - the first four numbers is the year, i.e. 2013. ### - the next three is the Julian day your case number was created. Subtract 500 from the number to determine the day of the year. 756-500=256. 256 is September 13 in Julian calendar of a non-leap year. ### - the last three is the total number of cases sent to the beneficiary's consulate with yours being the latest one processed as of that day. 004 is the fourth case they've processed, so far, for this particular consulate. Now that we have September 13, 2013 as the date when the case was created, let's check when the package left NVC. The shipping reference used by NVC to ship out packages is in EXP DD MMM YYYYA format, In this case, EXP 13 SEP 2013A.
Go to DHL to track the package using the shipping reference. Enter a date range for from and to. Normally, when you call NVC/DOS they tell you when your case left or forwarded to the consulate so use those dates. Look for your package from the list result! ***You might have to play around with the DD part of the shipping reference as well as the from and to date ranges. In my case, for example, I had to enter a DD three days prior as my case actually left on a Monday but the shipping reference was created the Friday before.
I used this to make sure that my case was picked up and actually delivered and signed for at my local consulate. I was also able to print a copy of the proof of delivery so that's a bonus.
Have fun!

Very true, every jouerney starts with the first step. And after many steps have been taken we will all look back and think that wasnt so bad. But, while we making those steps is whole different perpesctive.

Hopefully that one that got done in 19 days was either a fluke or I would hope all would get done in that time frame. Mind you I woldnt mind if mine got done today. But the fairness part of me hope that they more or less take in the order that they got them in.