I just received my passport request this morning! I'll post my timeline below, but a few things to note...
We're in USA--I'm American, and spouse is Canadian. I was never told what visa office my file went to (or if it even went to one!), but I found out on the passport request that it was New York.
I still haven't had a a line added to ECAS stating that they had begun processing my application.
I never received separate pre-arrival information. (Edit--just checked GCKEY and pre-arrival just arrived today as well)
ECAS status didn't change to "Decision Made" on the PA side until perhaps today. Still "In Process" yesterday. Only saw it at "Decision Made" after I got the passport request.
2020-08-05 - Application Received
2021-01-20 - AOR1 Received
2021-02-04 - Biometrics Request
2021-02-09 - Medical Request
2021-02-19 - SA Received
2021-02-22 - Biometrics Passed
2021-03-05 - Medical Passed
2021-05-26 - Passport Request
2021-05-26 - Pre-arrival letter