Apple has a distribution centre in Elk Grove, Cali. According to the receipt I posted earlier mine left from there yesterday. Where it's heading, I have no idea. My guess is that early production units were already in the U.S. as stated by an earlier poster. The people with later build dates are receiving tracking info because their phones are being shipped directly from the factory.
I have also tried to use my reference number from that receipt to track the progress but nothing shows up yet.
Oh well...........I'm sure it will arrive Friday.
Sounds like good news. Thanks for the information.