AEO cases are taking about 1 year....here is the response I received from London a vrey long time ago (June '09), my case is still awaiting a decision though....
"We endeavour to process Arranged Employment applications within 6 months of receipt, as advertised on our website: www.unitedkingdom.gc.ca. Delays in processing can sometimes occur depending on the individual’s circumstances and unusually busy periods. If the file cannot be finalised before the applicant’s medicals expire (i.e. 12 months from the day they were undergone), the applicant will have to undergo a new medical examination"
This proves a couple of things:
1 - There is cretainly a diiference in the time taken to process AEO cases and non-AEO cases. (atleast London office)
2 - Their approximation of the time takten is wayyyy off....I'm now at 1 year from the date the receive my application, (with no complications in my case, + perfectly filed) & a couple of members in this forum are even longer than that.
Regards