So as promised, here's my full app info up to the PPR, I bolded the more important dates:
Polish living in Ireland, NOC 2172. 1 dependent (NOC 1121 I think) as common-law married.
We both had the same 481 pts as primary applicants, but I had more experience, so it was safer with me as primary. Cut-off 457 pts.
Had 3 countries of residence, ~10+ travel each (mostly work & holidays). Visited Canada once on eTA, don't know if it mattered at all.
FEB 19 - EE profile created
FEB 20 - ITA
MAR 21 - AOR (took me a while to get some docs)
MAY 3 - Meds passed and Biometrics completed (ran to VAC the same day)
MAY 30 - Webform asking if I have to upload the scans of IELTS certs, because I forgot about them
JUN 5 - answer: no
JUN 13 - sent a technical issue report that I'm not getting the monthly updates as you can check in your profile
JUN 20 - template answer that my app is in progress, didn't say anything about the updates. I assume the checkbox is mislabeled or not for EE.
JUN 29 - ordered GCMS notes through getgcms
JUL 31 - got the GCMS and in them I found out:
They started all the eligibility checks etc. right after BIL. I got no updates and nothing changed in the profile during that time.
My app got flagged for review required on May 28, because one of my employers didn't want to give me the responsibilities for my job on the letter.
in the beginning of June it was sent to CPC Ottawa because of workload sharing. It was untouched since then to when I got GCMS. edit: they completed all other eligibility & criminality checks before that RR flag.
AUG 2 - told the company they're screwing up my visa chances/timelines, they finally gave me the full ref. Sent it via webform.
AUG 9 - got a receipt for the webform.
AUG 12 - sent an e-mail to CPC Ottawa asking if they got my file
AUG 14 - template response that the case is in queue for review by the officer, nothing about the file.
Replied asking if they can add a note to my case that I sent the full ref and they don't have to read my LOE etc. anymore. No response.
AUG 22 - woke up to my first ghost update. E-mailed Ralph Goodale's office asking about the status. (no response)
AUG 23 - woke up to the 2nd ghost update, getting hyped up.
AUG 24 - woke up to the PPR(!).
AUG 26 - sent the stuff they wanted to London.
Total time to PPR 156 days. I checked the app probably 10+ times a day, so I'm sure I didn't get any GUs before the ones mentioned.