I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon (Chicago, IL) in Nov 2016
Interview
No interview, it was a group gathering and only the company reps talked. It seemed like, if you made it to the meeting, you were hired. The only obstacle would be to fail the drug test.
No interview at all, you go into the hiring center, take your drug test, fill out some preliminary paperwork, verify the building and schedule you want, your start date and that's it.
Not too bad pretty easy and straightforward, simple question surrounding handling and moving. Make sure you know basic safety rules as they will ask you, for example how do you carry heavy items.
Apply online, go to the on-site office for oral drug swab and ID picture. Start date is assigned once background check comes back. The actual start date will depend on how fast the check comes back but isn't normally delayed.