reserving SEKI permits - RE: e-mail submittal timing

[grampy]

Sorry for this being somewhat narrow in interest, but here it is:
Last year, I submitted 2 different SEKI permit requests and was successful with both. For 2019 season I only submitted one (1), but figured my outgoing “send” time of Mar 1, 12:01:02 would be similarly successful. I was surprised the actual “received” time (in my response from the NPS server) almost 17 MINUTES (!!) later. I went back and saw last year’s response (from a 12:01:01 submittal) of 12:08:44 (not as bad, but still slow). I had strong wifi service at time of sending, so I couldn’t have done much else (except being 1 - 2 seconds quicker).
Has anyone else observed a similarly-large lag time? Also, do the more experienced members on this board have better success by hitting “SEND” a few seconds BEFORE 12:01:00 rolls around ? Or is it just an unpredictable crapshoot due soley to server overloading on the NPS side ? Still hoping for success, but I have a (different) backup trip - Inyo side- reservation just in case. Just trying to learn my lesson for next year. Thanks!

[rlown]

You're seriously worried about 17 minutes?

[grampy]

SORRY ! But at least I wasn’t asking about the JMT

[AlmostThere]

I sent my request two days late... I have backup plans if I don't get it. There Are Many Great Trips.

[c9h13no3]

I submitted at 12:02 and got an email back at 12:17 as well. I wouldn’t sweat the time that you get a reply email.

[kursavwilage]

I sent mine in @ 12:01 got the reply @ 12:04. I got my approval on 3/6......
Did your permit get approved?

[Dawnql]

Mine was sent in at 12:02 and I got confirmation at 12:09. It’s my first time applying so I’m a bit disappointed in the lag time because 3 out of 4 of my dates are already unavailable for a group of 6. Hoping for good news this week.

[Wandering Daisy]

Above examples are why I do not reserve. I think the reservation system has become counter-productive, perhaps even corrupt and adds to anxiety. I prefer the lottery system where everyone applies in a one-month slot, winners are randomly selected.

I wonder if there is an "APP" out there that manages your phone or computer to get the first slot. And if it does, and you pay for the APP, then is that legal? It is beginning to sound like the stock market where the average person cannot compete with the computerized trading.

[c9h13no3]

Above examples are why I do not reserve. I think the reservation system has become counter-productive, perhaps even corrupt and adds to anxiety. I prefer the lottery system where everyone applies in a one-month slot, winners are randomly selected.

I wonder if there is an "APP" out there that manages your phone or computer to get the first slot. And if it does, and you pay for the APP, then is that legal? It is beginning to sound like the stock market where the average person cannot compete with the computerized trading.

https://www.kqed.org/news/11450483/cant ... ld-be-bots

Yes, it's a thing.

[grampy]

“Bots”? ... OR maybe just due to the outdated condition of many gov’t computer assets; the NPS mail server(s) probably “freeze”, then accept incoming e-mails on a somewhat random basis regardless of “send” timing. As already pointed out, it was silly of me to stress about it. Mostly I was eager to actually get to DO (and report on) a trip that folks here have given me a lot of nice input on.
But I do have a (non-SEKI) backup trip planned, just in case.