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Post by misclady on Jun 4, 2010 14:18:30 GMT -5
just got my call and they had plenty of time slots still available the second week - a little piece of mind for those of you who may be travelling from a long distance.
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Post by wirving on Jun 4, 2010 14:20:34 GMT -5
Just received my call at about 1:30. Paperwork submitted Thursday, 5/27. Interview offered Monday (6/7), but changed to Friday due to extreme difficulty for me to get there. The person with whom I spoke suggested contact about travel arrangements might not come until next week.
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Post by doodlemom on Jun 4, 2010 14:57:32 GMT -5
When you all booked your flight through SATO travel, did you use your own credit card? I am a current ODAR employee and was informed that my travel reimbursement should not be authorized by management. Maybe we are actually paying for all the trip expenses ourselves?
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Post by Well on Jun 4, 2010 15:02:41 GMT -5
Anyone who is currently a federal employee know if we can book our flights using E2 solutions ourselves? I've found that easier in the past than dealing with calling SATO directly. Yes when you get in touch with the travel person you'll be given the numbers to do a travel authorization through E2.
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Post by eyre44 on Jun 4, 2010 15:12:57 GMT -5
Got my call today about 11:30 PST (faxed Friday 6:30pm PST). They had times available Tuesday and Friday, sounded like Wed/Thurs were full though I didn't really push it. I didn't ask about the following week because that wouldn't work for me.
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mph
Full Member
Posts: 35
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Post by mph on Jun 4, 2010 15:15:44 GMT -5
When you all booked your flight through SATO travel, did you use your own credit card? I am a current ODAR employee and was informed that my travel reimbursement should not be authorized by management. Maybe we are actually paying for all the trip expenses ourselves? doodlemom: I'm an employee also. when I tried to book my travel prior to getting the travel authorization, they would not let me use my own credit card for the airplane, although they would for the hotel. So, I tentatively(ie not confirmed) booked all the arrangements, then spent the next 24 hours waiting to get reply emails/phone calls from the people who do the travel authorization numbers. ( BTW, the guy who called me was quite nice, and apologetic about the apparent disorganization) He told me that when I check my work email on Monday, there will be info about how to get reimbursed for hotel, and I hope, cab rides, since my hotel is 4 miles from the interview site. In sum, no you are not expected to pay for this, but you will have to outlay some money up front, then get reimbursed. Luckily, in my case, the huge expense is the airfare, and that is billed to central billing, not my personal card.
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Post by doodlemom on Jun 4, 2010 15:23:10 GMT -5
Thanks, mph. I was told to just get the authorization from the AA in my office since Margaret Lonkert is swamped. It was all set, but then management received an email stating employees are approved for administrative leave, but "supervisors are not authorized to approve any travel reimbursement, overtime or compensatory time." Now due to the statement that they cannot authorize travel reimbursement, the AA in my office will not give a travel authorization number. What a headache!
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Post by fanning on Jun 4, 2010 15:36:38 GMT -5
I faxed my materials on 5/27 and just got a call this afternoon. I was told that since I live on the east coast, they wanted to schedule me so they could fly me in and fly me back the same day. I was offered 6/7 and when I explained it would be very difficult, she offered me a later date that same week. Now I can move on to obsessing about the travel and the interview.
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Post by Well on Jun 4, 2010 16:12:22 GMT -5
Thanks, mph. I was told to just get the authorization from the AA in my office since Margaret Lonkert is swamped. It was all set, but then management received an email stating employees are approved for administrative leave, but "supervisors are not authorized to approve any travel reimbursement, overtime or compensatory time." Now due to the statement that they cannot authorize travel reimbursement, the AA in my office will not give a travel authorization number. What a headache! HQ gives you the travel authorization for E2.
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Post by lostinspace on Jun 4, 2010 16:46:19 GMT -5
finally heard, too. things could have been smoother but what a relief. I had to push for a later date than the first one offered.
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Post by doodlemom on Jun 4, 2010 17:20:17 GMT -5
how did you get the authorization from HQ?
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 4, 2010 17:47:51 GMT -5
Got my call, finally. NO times available 2nd week.
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Post by learnedhand on Jun 4, 2010 17:57:45 GMT -5
Wonder what that means for those of us who have not yet heard?
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Post by novacats on Jun 4, 2010 19:00:54 GMT -5
Is anyone else being told they will not be reimbursed for lodging? I live 900 miles from DC.
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mph
Full Member
Posts: 35
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Post by mph on Jun 4, 2010 19:24:15 GMT -5
Is anyone else being told they will not be reimbursed for lodging? I live 900 miles from DC. I was specifically told that I was authorized for a hotel, because my interview was scheduled for 9 am. I live more than 900 miles away, but he did not say anything about that, only the time of my interview.
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Post by novacats on Jun 4, 2010 19:30:05 GMT -5
I can understand this, but given the short notice, the morning and afternoon flights are all booked, so I need an overnight stay for my mid-day interview. I really do not want to spend another $300 out of pocket for a hotel, since I've already spent $1,700 (for a 2 out of 3 chance of not getting an offer).
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Post by issuegirl on Jun 4, 2010 19:54:46 GMT -5
Is anyone else still waiting for a call back from Margaret Lonkert? My interview is next week, and I absolutely have to have travel arrangements done by Tuesday. Does anyone know if we will be getting called over the weekend? For those who have talked to Ms. Lonkert, once you get the authorization, is it relatively simple to get ahold of the folks who book the travel? If I have to wait two days for them to call me back, I am just going to hop in my car and drive for two days!
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 4, 2010 20:13:32 GMT -5
I'm going to email both her and the other person mentioned in the email, perhaps that will work better than calling.
I'm all the way across the country, and given the time of my interview and the flight schedule, I'm going to need the night before and the night after.
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Post by issuegirl on Jun 4, 2010 20:34:29 GMT -5
observer53: I am going to email them both as well, and send smoke signals....
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Post by Well on Jun 4, 2010 21:08:41 GMT -5
Ms. Lonkert gives you the numbers you need for E2
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