Does it take 24 hours until you go into labor after you lose your mucus plug?

Nope. mucus plug isn't an indication of impending labor, bloody show is.

nobody actually knows .... it could be hours could be days or even a week

Nope. I lost mine about three weeks before I went into labor. I lost it at 38 weeks, and went into labor at two days shy of 42 weeks.

I never lost mine and my water never broke.

I didn't lose mines either and they broke my water at 10 cm dilated !!