Teddy_b, some guesses, will be helpful to others
Teddy_b,
Congats on your freedom. And, I have two questions:
1. You mentioned one of your friend was still waiting for FP eventhough your I-485 NDs were one-week close. The question is, did you both fill out the form I-485 exactly the same? For example, for the item "under what base I-485 is filed?", the answer might include "approved I-140", "concurrent", "others". Will this affect the route a case goes through the internal procedure? My case was concurrent (11/2002). I filled in "others". I haven't got FP. I thought they might have saved my case somewhere high in the shelf.
2. You got FP so soon. I think there are two ways to pay for FP, either pay for it when filing I-485, or pay when taking FP on-site. I guess USCIS issues FP notice soon after receiving I-485 application if the FP payment is attached with the application. However, one has to wait for FP till something triggers it long after ND.
I would like to see more posts from you guys out there and see if my guess is correct. Thanks,