Please note that this is unverified, but a trustworthy friend told me this "solution" is underway for him:
Basically, my friend called an Apple Store to discuss iPad 2 availability, and somehow got on the phone with their head of business sales who told him that the Apple Stores are giving preference to their business customers (i.e., new iPad 2 stock goes to business orders first). He says that he simply setup a business profile for his company and then ordered several iPads (for him and a few of his colleagues). Coincidentally, his company may actually become an ongoing business customer, purchasing iPhones, iPads, and possibly Macs for or on-behalf-of it's employees, so I'm sure that helps his chances of getting iPad stock soon.
If this pans out, he'll be able to cancel his shipping-in-4-5-weeks online order and instead have an iPad in just a few days. I'll keep the thread posted on the success ;-)