I am a professional longarmer (meaning I take clients) and my waiting time is 4/6 weeks. None of my ladies have ever expected a top to be done in 2 weeks......but that is just how I operate. I only work at it for 3/4 hrs daily.....I do have other responsibilities in my life....house to clean, meals to cook, laundry to do, DH to pay some attention to, and of course my own piecing. I do not E2E on any tops.....I treat each one as if if were my own and quilt it that way...
and yes, it does take a good 45 min to 1 hr to load, clean machine, oil, set up and start. And, yes, my clients begin bringing in their Christmas quilts in June/July "just in case" and because I take two weeks before holiday for my own "stuff".........but that is just me, everyone works the way that works for them............and their clients.