Possible travel dates

Right now we are waiting to get our travel approval (ta) and once that happens we can apply for a consulate appointment (ca). Once that is confirmed, we can make our travel arrangements. We are shooting for an October 25 departure with an October 29 gotcha day. Even though the trade fair will still be going on in Guangzhou, we won't get there right until it is ending so we should be ok. The only wrinkle will be if it takes too long to get a ta and all the ca are taken. We are praying that at least this part of our process will go smoothly and we can take advantage of a cheaper non stop flight to Beijing and get dibs on early Nov ca.