I would bet that if one is unsavvy about it one gets paid out about as quickly as they pay vendors (which can be glacial) but that a demand letter to the general counsel with a judgement attached results in a check getting cut no later than the business day after the day the letter is opened.
The airline sent me a check about a month after the hearing for the full 3x amount.
Does that airline still allow you to fly with them?
Yes, it did. I never had any service denial or other problem as a result of taking the airline to small claims court.