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Post by george007 on Jun 2, 2010 8:24:33 GMT -5
I faxed mine in on Wed. evening and got the call Sunday morning. A good friend of mine faxed his on Thurs. evening and has not heard anything yet. I got the confirmation email but, of course, now can't get the travel person to respond to me either by phone or email. So, be prepared for that next hurdle too.
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Post by topher on Jun 2, 2010 8:45:41 GMT -5
Faxed mine in Friday afternoon. Just got the call to schedule the interview.
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Post by maquereau on Jun 2, 2010 9:56:04 GMT -5
Faxed on Friday afternoon; just got the call.
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Post by Well on Jun 2, 2010 10:48:26 GMT -5
Friday morning, no call yet, but I'm flexible on my dates so no worries.
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Post by imiram1372 on Jun 2, 2010 11:01:18 GMT -5
Like "well" I faxed my documents Friday morning and still have not received a call but I am flexible on my dates too.
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Post by myxlplyx on Jun 2, 2010 15:17:48 GMT -5
Has anyone been able to reach Margaret Lonkert to make travel arrangements? I've left a voicemail message and email, but have not received any response.
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Post by Well on Jun 2, 2010 15:18:50 GMT -5
I've not received the travel email yet.
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Post by george007 on Jun 2, 2010 15:28:40 GMT -5
I can't reach Ms. Lonkert either. I left my first messages yesterday morning.
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Post by maquereau on Jun 2, 2010 15:56:18 GMT -5
Have not been able to contact her - or rather get her to return my messages.
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Post by iplawyer on Jun 2, 2010 16:03:00 GMT -5
For those who are still waiting for phone calls about interviews, I have it on good authority that HR expects it to take until SATURDAY to finish processing everyone's faxes and call everyone. Thus, do not panic and assume that there is a problem with your paperwork simply because you haven't received a call yet. If you haven't received a telephone call re: your interview by MONDAY, it probably makes sense to follow up with a phone call.
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footballer
Member
I lurk therefore I am...maybe. You wouldn't know in any event....
Posts: 26
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Post by footballer on Jun 2, 2010 16:29:39 GMT -5
just got the the interview call...
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 2, 2010 16:59:53 GMT -5
For those who are still waiting for phone calls about interviews, I have it on good authority that HR expects it to take until SATURDAY to finish processing everyone's faxes and call everyone. Thus, do not panic and assume that there is a problem with your paperwork simply because you haven't received a call yet. If you haven't received a telephone call re: your interview by MONDAY, it probably makes sense to follow up with a phone call. I'm sure that's true. Since the interviews start MONDAY, some people will have a VERY short notice!
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Post by iapplied on Jun 2, 2010 17:09:07 GMT -5
I'm not worried about getting the call; I'm concerned about being able to interview during the time they are looking to interview people and in getting a flight. I have a pre-planned trip for the entire week of June 21st. I do hope they call soon and schedule me.
Has anyone gotten a date for later than the 18th?
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Post by Well on Jun 2, 2010 17:30:10 GMT -5
I'm not worried about getting the call; I'm concerned about being able to interview during the time they are looking to interview people and in getting a flight. I have a pre-planned trip for the entire week of June 21st. I do hope they call soon and schedule me. Has anyone gotten a date for later than the 18th? I was told that the week of the 14th is pretty well full. Limited spots on the 7th and 11th but the 8th, 9th and 10th were still pretty wide open.
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Wolfiemom
Full Member
Irish Wolfhounds Rule!
Posts: 47
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Post by Wolfiemom on Jun 2, 2010 17:52:57 GMT -5
I finally got through to Margaret Lonkert this afternoon. She sets you up in her system, then gives you some codes that you then need to give to the government travel agency, and she gives you their phone number. The travel agent makes your reservation and that is billed directly to the govt., then you get back to M.L. with the cost of the airfare. (I emailed this information to her since it is hard to get in contact with her by phone.) As for the hotel, if you are spending the night, you charge that to your credit card, then get reimbursed. You have a choice of Homewood Suites or Hampton Inn, both of which are across the street from SSA. Save receipts for parking, cab or shuttle from Reagan airport to hotel, and meals. You submit those for reimbursement later. You will receive a packet for reimbursement when you go to your interview. One suggestion--research your itinerary first. I always use itasoftware.com, but you can use expedia, priceline, etc. The travel agent was ready to book me into a 2-segment flight, but there was a direct flight (only 1 hr. 15 minutes in the air) leaving at about the same time. She had no problem booking the direct flight for me, with the exact times I wanted. Just keep trying to call Margaret, and eventually you will get through. I wouldn't keep leaving messages, though she did return my call. Unfortunately, I couldn't find my cell phone when she did, but I heard it ringing. It went into voice mail before I could find it. The funny thing is, it was in my POCKET! I never keep it there, but I was carrying it around so I wouldn't miss her call...
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Post by jpjoker on Jun 2, 2010 18:20:23 GMT -5
I faxed my material in on Friday and I got the phone call today at 4pm. I was told that Monday was filled up, so they have me for Tuesday at 11am. I guess there is a lot to get through. I was getting pretty nervous myself, but as some of the calmer members remind us, we should relax. The calls are coming.
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Post by bowser on Jun 2, 2010 18:55:01 GMT -5
Yeah, well there's relaxing, and there's just marveling at their ability to make every single step of this process as big of a pain in the butt as possible.
I am wide open for 7 of the 10 days available - the other 3 will require that I cancel out on an annual golf trip. Sure, not the biggest sacrifice in the world, but I could have told them in March that there were only 3 days between May and July that I had any kind of conflict. And I sit here awaiting a call, and hear that the dates I am supposed to be golfing are among the few dates left.
Just makes it hard to keep a positive attitude about this whole thing.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 2, 2010 19:17:23 GMT -5
It's hard to research flights when you don't know the interview time; I have the whole schedule to and from DCA from my airport from its website, so I'm carrying that around along with my calendar, and studying it.
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Wolfiemom
Full Member
Irish Wolfhounds Rule!
Posts: 47
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Post by Wolfiemom on Jun 2, 2010 20:08:44 GMT -5
Don;t worry--you will have plenty of time to research flights from the time you get your email confirming your interview to the time you are finally able to get through to the person you need to speak with at SSA to set up your travel account. It took me more than a day to get through. The good news is that getting through to the travel agent was very easy.
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Post by privateatty on Jun 3, 2010 7:59:46 GMT -5
A word to the wise, unless you revel in mental stress, allow the night before to being in DC (DCA hotel?) if at all possible. All of those who made that choice were glad as they did not have to worry about flight delays, thunderstorms and overbookings.
A few bitten fingernails were revealed on the Board...
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