Well, anyone is free to do as they want. My wife has been eligible to apply since July 1st but we're in the Philippines for another month. I would apply now but someone posted they were denied for applying outside the country. But in each of the last 3 months of the year there's a week we won't be available and that may continue indefinitely. If we have to reschedule, so be it. If we're denied and have to reapply, same.
I believe there are 2 parts to the process, A whatever USCIS does before the interview and B the interview. I don't really see delaying A as helping anyone else much. Delaying B should move someone else up.