My trouble was, if my AoR date was before someon and I submitted my biometrics before that person, my eligibility review should at least start at the same time as them? Which is obviously not the case.
First of all, it's important to note that unless you've contacted IRCC or obtained GCMS notes, it's difficult to determine if your eligibility has begun. GCkey and tracker isn't always going to reflect the truth (unless they say "completed").
Secondly, I completely understand why you're concerned for your eligibility assessment to start or be completed. Your concern about the NOC you claimed during the HCP is valid. However, I want to assure you that unless you misrepresented yourself in some way, it should not be an issue. In the worst case scenario, if a case officer has doubts about your NOC code, they may request further information (PFL) from you, to which you can respond accordingly.
Thirdly, it's important not to compare your application processing time with that of others. IRCC's processing procedures are not always transparent, and it's something we have to accept. However, if your application is being processed within the expected service level agreements of less than 6 months, we have no grounds for complaint. FWIW, it's possible that IRCC is internally testing pilot "fast track systems" to process certain applications and only enrolling a percentage of applicants in that pilot program - there's no way for us to know anything. We should be grateful that some applications are being processed more quickly, even if not all are included. It's not productive to feel jealous or wonder, "Why them and not me?" because IRCC did not explicitly set such expectations from the beginning due to the 6-month SLA.
Please enlighten me how that's not frustrating.
It's important to keep in mind that there's no reason to expect a guarantee that your application will be processed any faster than 6 months. However, if by chance they do manage to process it more quickly, it would be a reason for all of us to celebrate. On the other hand, if they stick to the 6-month timeframe, that's perfectly alright too. The key is to remain patient throughout the process. Else, you'll go through fatigue and stress for no reason.
Because I've seen March and April threads where people are getting their PPRs while some are still strand d on eligibility not started. It sucks that when things stop making sense, people pin it on sheer dumb luck.
Even the January applicants haven't reached the 6-month service level agreement (SLA) yet, but it's reassuring to see positive updates from the March and April threads. As long as IRCC is able to process 80% of all applicants within the expected timeframe of 6 months, there's really no reason to feel frustrated or discouraged.
Instead of dwelling on thoughts like "why not me?", it is better to celebrate the success of others who receive their PPRs. That creates a supportive and uplifting community.
Remember, at the end applicants are different, the people responsible for handling their application are different.