Kudos to DPS! 34 Days

[ronbo422]

Hey all,
I just received my CHL in the mail today and I'm a happy camper, to say the least. I started this endeavor in May. Here's the chronological order of events:
5/8/10 - Completed CHL course
6/4/10 - Submitted online application
6/7/10 - Fingerprints completed through F.A.S.T, packet mailed
6/9/10 - Packet received by DPS
6/21/10 - First updated status showed Passport Photo Holder missing. Awaiting notice via USPS.
6/30/10 - Notice not received. Called DPS to inquire about photo holder, was told they had everything and I should have license soon. Checked status, Background Check: COMPLETE, License: MANUFACTURING PENDING.
7/6/10 - Status updated to License: MAILED
7/8/10 - Plastic in hand.

Now, if only I could hold my license. I'm actually on a business trip in Arizona until next Friday so I won't be able to enjoy my new privilege until then. Hey, maybe I can have the wife FedEx it to me so that I can carry in AZ. They are, in fact, a reciprocal state. Are they not?

My hat is off to the Texas DPS, for the fast service, and to all on this forum who make it a great place to read up and "hang out". I now consider myself to be one of the sheepdogs, armed with a new mindset, skill set and tool set ..... and I REFUSE to be a victim!! I REFUSE to let my loved ones be victims!! I REFUSE to let the innocent be victims!!

God Bless you all, God Bless our wonderful state and God Bless the USA.

~Ronbo

[TXlaw1]

Congratulations and I'm sure you'll be glad to hold your CHL real soon.

I actually took my course the same day you did. The instructor helped all students with the fingerprints, completing all the forms, etc. I mailed the complete application two days later on May 10. I had my CHL in hand in four weeks and 3 days - 31 days from mailing. Very pleased with instructor and DPS turnaround time.

[Texas Size 11]

I'm at 39 days and waiting still waiting for the BC to get done...I think my application landed on the slow person's desk. That or I am just being impatient.

[chasfm11]

Congratulations, Ronbo. Judging from your experience, I'm on the slow track. If I'm counting correctly, you had status in 12 days and I'm sitting at 16 with no status. I'm beginning to regret not doing the application online.

I wonder if anyone has looked at on-line applications versus paper applications for total turnaround time.

Chas

[budroux2w]

I'm at 39 days and waiting still waiting for the BC to get done...I think my application landed on the slow person's desk. That or I am just being impatient.

I think our apps are sitting on the same desk....

[baldeagle]

Congratulations, Ronbo. Judging from your experience, I'm on the slow track. If I'm counting correctly, you had status in 12 days and I'm sitting at 16 with no status. I'm beginning to regret not doing the application online.

I wonder if anyone has looked at on-line applications versus paper applications for total turnaround time.

Chas

I applied online. Look at my sig. I'm still waiting.

[Texas Size 11]

Congratulations, Ronbo. Judging from your experience, I'm on the slow track. If I'm counting correctly, you had status in 12 days and I'm sitting at 16 with no status. I'm beginning to regret not doing the application online.

I wonder if anyone has looked at on-line applications versus paper applications for total turnaround time.

Chas

I applied online. Look at my sig. I'm still waiting.

Me too...40 days now.

[canvasbck]

Congratulations, Ronbo. Judging from your experience, I'm on the slow track. If I'm counting correctly, you had status in 12 days and I'm sitting at 16 with no status. I'm beginning to regret not doing the application online.

I wonder if anyone has looked at on-line applications versus paper applications for total turnaround time.

Chas

My wife used the online app the day before our class. I wanted to use the paper app so that I could attach the arrest disposition form to it. (I had let an animal control citation make it to warrant status, long story)

We mailed our packets in at the same time. She is still waiting on BGC and my status is mailed.

I think that which county you are waiting on/ multiple counties makes the biggest difference. I have lived/worked in Brazoria county forever. She moved from the Dallas area when we got married three years ago.

[chasfm11]

My wife used the online app the day before our class. I wanted to use the paper app so that I could attach the arrest disposition form to it. (I had let an animal control citation make it to warrant status, long story)

We mailed our packets in at the same time. She is still waiting on BGC and my status is mailed.

I think that which county you are waiting on/ multiple counties makes the biggest difference. I have lived/worked in Brazoria county forever. She moved from the Dallas area when we got married three years ago.

Perhaps you are right about more complex situations taking longer. That isn't my case, however. I've lived the same place for the last 7 years, worked for the same employer for the last 37 years and have nothing of any kind in my background that would require any research. I do understand that background checks are sent to local municipalities for research and that DPS has no control over those responses or their timing. We are in Denton County so it isn't like there is a huge population problem here. Like many others, my on-line CHL application status still reflects nothing so it any of that is going on, I don't know about it.

Based on your feedback and others, it appears that online versus paper filing makes little to no difference. It is more about the person assigned to process your application.

[Triton Angler]

chasfm11 I think it is the luck of the draw. I sent mine in when you did and I got online status Thursday. You will probably be in the system shortly.

[baldeagle]

Regarding the background check, I have lived in the same house for 14 years, held the same job for 14 years and hold a current secret clearance with the US Navy. I have never been convicted of any crime, never been arrested and haven't had a moving violation in 25 years. Maybe that's the problem - they can't believe my record is that squeaky clean and they're searching deeper......

[chasfm11]

Regarding the background check, I have lived in the same house for 14 years, held the same job for 14 years and hold a current secret clearance with the US Navy. I have never been convicted of any crime, never been arrested and haven't had a moving violation in 25 years. Maybe that's the problem - they can't believe my record is that squeaky clean and they're searching deeper......

...or perhaps they gave your application to a processor who promptly took a two week vacation the next day.

[paltexvet]

In regards to chasfm11, I too hold Secret Clearance from the US NAVY and have a background with out a single blemish, but my processing time has been moving fast. But I submitted my application on line about 3wks before taking the class and now mfg is pending so I figure by the end of next week it will be wally walk time.

[budroux2w]

While I don't hold any special clearance or anything, I have a clean record, same house for 5 years and all that jazz and i'm sitting at about 52 days now as of when they received the packet. My fingerprints were showing complete since June 19th so no clue what's up with the back ground check. I've had employers get one complete in about a week or two.