How to do the gentle nudge?

I know from experience that: 1) dont piss off the people that you need to be on your side and, 2) an application-wait time can be pretty random.

But lately I'm seeing people posting that they've have had good luck making a call or email about their application, and then getting it the approved that day.

Meantime....Ive seen people from my submit date (3/7) and geographic area that got approved several days ago.