It was mentioned in the "How's the line at HPD" thread that there is also "stand by". No appointment, just wait and if no one is at the window, it's your turn. I was there this past Friday, late morning with an online registration appointment I got months earlier. There's no covid screening, went in, got check off the list and went to the window to register. While I was waiting for the registration to be typed, the officer manning the front door confirmed that if you just wanted to wait, you could "stand by" with no appointment. It was empty at the time and he said if someone came right now, without an appointment, they could go straight in since the window was open.
Update from today. However, like a wise man often reminds me, trust but verify. Adult rules here. Hopefully sharing of information and experiences will help folks, but do your own due diligence. Be prepared to "go with the flow" to a certain extent.
No appointments needed to pick up permit or register. Was advise this morning that for "registration side", line starts at 0700. At opening time, an officer will come out and distribute time slots to those waiting in line, so you don't have to wait around that whole time and "wonder if you'll get in" (at least according to the officer that we spoke to).
I asked if there was an appointment system for registration, and I was told no. But after hearing the explanation, it's more of a "no sense do online appointment because they are unavailable for 3 months out". So the appointment system MAY be operational and it MAY continue, but didn't get definitive answer. Again, do your own due diligence.
Anyways, line was short when I went this morning at around 0830. Two people at the counter on the PTA side. One person registering and one person outside waiting to register long gun (no appointment). Pick up permit was fast. Maybe 5 minutes.