To answer your question I'd like to share what all I've considered before choosing to Flagpole
Advantages of interview:
1. Its less of a hassle
2. Processing times after that is relatively quicker than Flagpole, based on of my contact's experience
Disadvantage of interview:
1. To get an appointment, you need to request for one by sending them an email. They take upto 30 days just to reply to your email, and then I dont know how many more days or weeks they'll make you wait for the appointment
2. Based on reading some of the comments on the Forum, a lot of people have waited upto 50+ days and not received an email, while only a few received it within 4 days of sending the email. That depends on where you stay and the closest IRCC office. I believe the one applicant who received it sooner stays in Kitchener
My personal reasons for choosing Flagpole:
1. I have an international work trip mid of Jan. And according to the
Processing Timeline it takes 26 days to get the PR card. The CBSA agent will say 6-8 weeks. But if I have any chances of receiving it before the trip, its via the flagpole.
2. My WP expired. Which requires me to update my employer of the my status every 30 days. If I complete the landing, I can immediately get the SIN and apply for my OHIP as well
3. The other most important part for me personally is this is like a closure to the 1.5 years of effort we put in. And knowing that it's completed,
from my side, gives me the peace of mind. Of course, I'd still have to wait for the PR Card to come to my hands, but I've completed everything that is required of me.
P.S. We did request for the appointment by email and still have not received any update yet. So yes, did not want to leave things hanging in limbo
All the best.