gpk111
01-28-2021, 12:30 AM
A related post (“Gambler’s Guide…”) navigates you through the sign-in process to raise your odds of getting an appointment. This post discusses the intricacies of getting from the queue to the sign-in process.
Once you’re in the queue, you can watch a counter while the page refreshes every minute. You can also see the number of appointments left available in each county.
The official Publix statement is to simply wait at this point: “We do not recommend refreshing the page manually. We are limiting the number of people in our reservation system to ensure our site remains stable. Our waiting page refreshes every minute while more people are let in to book their appointments.” The implication is that applicants are let in on a first come, first served basis.
However, analysis shows that the queuing system does not work as expected. The transfer from the queue to the sign-up system is often not based on timing (nor device type, carrier, or speed).
There are 5 suggestions below. Caveat: This is pure speculation based on discussions with a number of tech-savvy people and other users, but none of the comments are based on information from any of the Publix web designers or other internal contacts.
1. Use multiple browsers if possible. Three or four are probably optimum. If one browser is granted entry into the reservations system, be prepared to abandon the remaining ones immediately, since the active one will require all your attention.
2. Sign in early and wait. It looks like the system starts to refresh on its own immediately after launching. There may not be a need to manually refresh at the beginning and try to time the launch. Suggestion: watch the screen to see if the counter started by itself. If it did, do nothing. If you see the screen change (implying that the sign up window has been opened) and the counter has not started, then refresh manually.
3. Watch the counters and the remaining sign up slots for the counties of interest. As long as the counters are running, do not manually refresh. See below for a possible exception.
4. The sign up window should last at least an hour, so there is ample time to make decisions while you’re watching the availability by county. Depending on your gambling instincts, you can “let the clock run out” by doing nothing (the official Publix recommendation) or you can choose to manually refresh anytime before the spots in your selected county are gone. Observations have shown unpredictable results.
5. If you are admitted to the reservation system, the counter will stop and the text changes. Make sure you immediately drop down below the county list (you will not be able to select a county on that page) and select “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.” Once you’re “in,” you can book up to four appointments.
Once you’re in the queue, you can watch a counter while the page refreshes every minute. You can also see the number of appointments left available in each county.
The official Publix statement is to simply wait at this point: “We do not recommend refreshing the page manually. We are limiting the number of people in our reservation system to ensure our site remains stable. Our waiting page refreshes every minute while more people are let in to book their appointments.” The implication is that applicants are let in on a first come, first served basis.
However, analysis shows that the queuing system does not work as expected. The transfer from the queue to the sign-up system is often not based on timing (nor device type, carrier, or speed).
There are 5 suggestions below. Caveat: This is pure speculation based on discussions with a number of tech-savvy people and other users, but none of the comments are based on information from any of the Publix web designers or other internal contacts.
1. Use multiple browsers if possible. Three or four are probably optimum. If one browser is granted entry into the reservations system, be prepared to abandon the remaining ones immediately, since the active one will require all your attention.
2. Sign in early and wait. It looks like the system starts to refresh on its own immediately after launching. There may not be a need to manually refresh at the beginning and try to time the launch. Suggestion: watch the screen to see if the counter started by itself. If it did, do nothing. If you see the screen change (implying that the sign up window has been opened) and the counter has not started, then refresh manually.
3. Watch the counters and the remaining sign up slots for the counties of interest. As long as the counters are running, do not manually refresh. See below for a possible exception.
4. The sign up window should last at least an hour, so there is ample time to make decisions while you’re watching the availability by county. Depending on your gambling instincts, you can “let the clock run out” by doing nothing (the official Publix recommendation) or you can choose to manually refresh anytime before the spots in your selected county are gone. Observations have shown unpredictable results.
5. If you are admitted to the reservation system, the counter will stop and the text changes. Make sure you immediately drop down below the county list (you will not be able to select a county on that page) and select “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.” Once you’re “in,” you can book up to four appointments.