Just called Apple myself and said I was going on vacation (I am!!) and asked if I could upgrade my shipping. She said that she couldn't do that, but quickly pointed out that I have the fastest possible shipping/delivery date. As with most big companies, it seems that requests for priority shipping or credits as others are getting are a hit or miss proposition.
I am among the folks who agree that Apple is (so far) holding to their end of the agreement in terms of a shipping and delivery estimate which I agreed to when I placed my order. Case in point, my cover just landed in Anchorage, which means it is on track for delivery within their timeline.
That said, still disappointed that it is taking so long. Feels like they could have had a good number (100,000+) ready to fly out the door to "reward" those of us who ordered within the first hour. Though with 18 models that may have been a tough one. Also weird that there is no logic behind which iPads are going out first.