Yes, Alabama does issue certificates "to be mailed at a later date". I'm still waiting on mine too. I have seen other Alabama certificates from co-workers, friends, etc.
Obviously, being an Auburn grad, I am pulling for Clemson. I don't think they have it in them to beat Alabama but I sure am a big Clemson fan right now.
Took the Mechanical FE 7 years out of school (CBT exam). Studied probably 24 hours using online $50 practice exam. Took the exam, passed. Thought that same strategy would work for the PE. Not so much. Had to get after it on the studying for 2nd attempt on PE and passed. IMHO, FE exam...
I used a standard backpack and a small lunch cooler (nothing to eat around the BJCC in Birmingham, AL). I am ME so I only carried 4 books. People taking the test with me had all sorts of containers. The guys wrestling the worn out paper boxes that were running over with every book they ever...