1) Premium service and 2) starting date

[okokok]

Hello, dear experts ))

I'm on Tier-2 General and both my contract and visa expire in September. I will be switching my employer, and I have the following two questions:

1) The new CoS will be ready at the beginning of June. I -- obviously -- would like to plan my holidays, and would be "happy" to use the premium service (to submit in person). I know that one cannot have an access to the system before the CoS is issued, but I have read somewhere that it is quite a difficult task to get an appointment. I checked the forum, but cannot find enough answers, so it would be great if you could share you experience in terms of how difficult it is to schedule the premium appointment. I would be happy to have any date within the next 10 weeks. Is it realistic? Some tips?

2) Is it correct that I will NOT be able to work for my current employer from the date, stated in my new CoS. I understand that this would be the case if the new visa is issued, but presuming the starting date in the CoS is 1/8/2012, and the visa will be issued on 25/8/2012. Am I still eligible to work for my current employer from 1/8 to 24/8? Sorry if these questions are too obvious for you guys.

Any suggestion is welcomed! Many thanks, okokok