Ant, I have etrade, and was it was a rude shock when they told me that my $ (e-transfer) wouldn't be available for 5 days. They said something about people moving money around in some illigitimate way when I questioned them. Didn't get the whole story, but that's their policy. Yep, it stinks.
ant-depends also on amount of funds (including securities) in your account - if you are close to the dollar threshold where funds transferred in are immediately available, you might consider upping the balance in your account.
I feel your pain, I also have an etrade account and they just changed there policy to 5 business days after a transfer. So I opened a tdameritrade account on Friday the 13th because they claim you can trade right away and then I found out you have to wait three business days to trade on the pinks. I am good to go tomorrow so don’t run it up before I get in guys.