Here is how it works:
A) You submit your request for grant
B) Once they "receive" it they give you a tracking # that just shows they have seen it
C) Another department is in charge of "Posting it to the public docket" which is where it's open for comment
D) Once it's posted to the Public Docket (you'll see it via your tacking #) it will sit there "under review and waiting for public comments" until it's either Granted, Denied, or More Information Is Requested".
E) Keep in mind that anything else that happens ALSO gets posted to the Public Docket so those actions you won't see until THAT department gets that task done.
Here is the timeline for my submission:
Submitted electronically July 10th, 2015 (got tracking # immediately but it only showed they had received it and nothing more)
Posted to Public Docket Nov 4th, 2015
Approved Dec 23rd but STILL showing as pending on Public Docket
Approval Packet arrived in USPS mail on Dec 30th (which is how I know when it was approved).
It's now 1/22/2016 and mine is still not on the Public Docket but you can find it on the FAA website by searching for "Approved Exemptions" (this is different than Public Docket)
Here is a link to the APPROVAL page (does not show pending status etc only Approvals)
Authorizations Granted Via Section 333 Exemptions