Repair update:
I sent the reel out on October 5. they have the reel, but "will not be opneing up the box" until some time next week as it was inventory time last week and the service department was closed. This caused a back up in reel service which will make this about a 3 week turn around...
At least when I sent my VS's in I could call up and bitch and they would get right on my reel. I tried to explain to the service rep on the phone a few minutes ago of the urgency of getting this reel back and he repeated to me that it would be 2 - 3 weeks.