Trying to work out how WLB deal with applications will just end in confusion, there are no clear patterns or order for things to happen and no clear timeline other than they will try to process an application in 12 weeks.
The ID check for an A/B application should be automated, but then the entire application process could be automated if they wanted it to be. A real person would have to check the submitted documents and read the information and notes that security services have gathered about each of us but everything else could be automated.
Maybe the problem with the process is the ever increasing volume of security service data covering every website you've ever visited and perhaps every comment that you've ever typed into an internet forum.
And on that note I'd like to add that WLB are a fantastic group of hard working, efficient people that deserve more credit than they get, also, please process my application soon