After reading all the posts dealing with forms status, I'm a bit confused as to the "official" definition of "pending".  "Approved" I completely understand.  However, "pending" is a bit ambiguous.  Is it when the forms are assigned to an examiner?  Or does the examiner work with them a while before they go "pending"?

Can someone please enlighten me?

The process:
NFA branch checks to see if item is legal (Form 1s only, thus WV address for Form 1s, ie no MGs, not in a non-NFA state, etc)
Packet sent to GA to have check cashed by contractor (both forms, thus GA mailing address for Form 4s)
Forms sent from GA to WV and are sent to data entry to be put into the database
Once they leave data entry they're tossed onto an examiner's desk and are labeled as pending
Once your form makes it to the top of the pile, the examiner takes a look, checks all the documents and fingerprints, attaches and cancels stamp and its approved
Approved forms are mailed out with various degrees of quickness depending on examiner.

Before the form is entered into the database at data entry the ATF has no record of recieving the form in their computer system, and the phone operators only look at the database to see the status.

Kharn

That has got to be the best explanation I have seen yet!!!  Thank you VERY much!!!