An interview with the examiner is a right of the applicant after any adverse Office action, i.e. rejection or objection. The period set for response to an Office action is typically three months but may be extended with payment of fees. This is the schedule for 'small entities'. Firms employing over 250 people pay twice these amounts which is also the case for most other fees including the Application and Issue Fees. Because the maximum patent term is now timed from the filing date rather than the issue date there is generally little advantage to be had in putting off a Response.
Appeals are fairly serious matters and the examiner's job is threatened if the appeal is successful.
The appeal is taken up by a Board of Appeals. The Patent Office has a high rate of turnover and a successful appeal is a means of washing out an examiner after it has become clear that this examiner either isn't capable of or isn't interested in doing the job. Abandonment means the applicant gives up, which is usually the case after receiving a final rejection even though this action is not indicated. Continuation means filing again with the understanding that this time allowance is available. This is a commonplace for pro se applicants who may, at this point, hire a professional.