Upcoming interviews - parking

[carrickfergus]

Assuming your interview is at the Leesburg Pike location, you can park for free in the target parking lot (which is next to the ODAR HQ) for up to, I believe, three hours. Take the staircase near the mcdonalds to the second floor, and walk across the courtyard to the SSA building.

[sidewalktalk]

Parking at Target is free for only two hours. I believe parking fee for 3 hours is $6.00.

[privateatty]

Buy some Gas-X. Or Tums, maybe?

[24kgoldengirl]

I would love to hear from someone who has a clue about the proximity of the metro system to the interview. I am always a little leary of driving in the DC Metropolitan area because the traffic is notoriously bad. I tried to research this on the internet and it looks like one must transfer from the metro to a bus which sounds like a long trip. On the other hand, the last thing is need is to arrive at the interview frazzled and stiffling road rage. I would be interested to hear what the traffic is like in the area after the early morning rush hour.
I sent this question to Ms Lonkert but I have not heard back. I am driving to Washington, staying with a friend the night before. I will apply for mileage reimbursement and eat the rest.

[71stretch]

Jun 7, 2010 16:57:34 GMT -5 24kgoldengirl said:

I would love to hear from someone who has a clue about the proximity of the metro system to the interview. I am always a little leary of driving in the DC Metropolitan area because the traffic is notoriously bad. I tried to research this on the internet and it looks like one must transfer from the metro to a bus which sounds like a long trip. On the other hand, the last thing is need is to arrive at the interview frazzled and stiffling road rage. I would be interested to hear what the traffic is like in the area after the early morning rush hour.
I sent this question to Ms Lonkert but I have not heard back. I am driving to Washington, staying with a friend the night before. I will apply for mileage reimbursement and eat the rest.

The Metro doesn't go anywhere really near there, the closest station is 2.65 miles. I suppose you could take a cab from the metro stop to the SSA, and back.

I'm using mostly public transit to get from the airport to the hotel and back, but I'm going to use a cab to go to and from the interview. Metro isn't convenient to my motel, either. (I got spoiled by the Metro being about a block and a half where I stayed in March for the WD and SI-- it's a lot more expensive now!!)

I thought about taking public transit back from the interview, but in researching it there's a bit too much changing buses for what by mileage is not that long a trip. So, I will cab it both ways.

[privateatty]

Jun 7, 2010 17:05:02 GMT -5 71stretch said:

Jun 7, 2010 16:57:34 GMT -5 24kgoldengirl said:

I would love to hear from someone who has a clue about the proximity of the metro system to the interview. I am always a little leary of driving in the DC Metropolitan area because the traffic is notoriously bad. I tried to research this on the internet and it looks like one must transfer from the metro to a bus which sounds like a long trip. On the other hand, the last thing is need is to arrive at the interview frazzled and stiffling road rage. I would be interested to hear what the traffic is like in the area after the early morning rush hour.
I sent this question to Ms Lonkert but I have not heard back. I am driving to Washington, staying with a friend the night before. I will apply for mileage reimbursement and eat the rest.

The Metro doesn't go anywhere really near there, the closest station is 2.65 miles. I suppose you could take a cab from the metro stop to the SSA, and back,

I'm using mostly public transit to get from the airport to the hotel and back, but I'm going to use a cab to go to and from the interview. Metro isn't convenient to my motel, either. (I got spoiled by the Metro being about a block and a half where I stayed in March for the WD and SI-- it's a lot more expensive now!!)

I thought about taking public transit back from the interview, but in researching it there's a bit too much changing buses for what by mileage is not that long a trip. So, I will cab it both ways.

You're going to be in a suit, guy or gal. DC is sticky. A cab from the Metro is the way to go.

[odarite]

the traffic isn't too horrible after the rush in the interview area area, but it depends on where your friend lives, too. Meanwhile, there is a government shuttle from the metro station to the Skyline complex and back. You must have a government employee ID, so this only applies to current federal employees. But if you choose to go that route give yourself plenty of time to get from the area where the shuttle bus drops you off to Skyline Tower where your interview will be. Not because it is that far, but because you don't want to be worried about finding the Tower!

[counsel]

As I recall, there is a coffee and pastry shop of some sort next to or in Target. If you are not staying in walking distance, definitely plan to arrive early, DC traffic can be bad at any time of the day. You'll find somewhere to hang out. Good luck everyone!

[71stretch]

Jun 8, 2010 7:25:31 GMT -5 counsel said:

As I recall, there is a coffee and pastry shop of some sort next to or in Target. If you are not staying in walking distance, definitely plan to arrive early, DC traffic can be bad at any time of the day. You'll find somewhere to hang out. Good luck everyone!

Probably Starbucks... lots of them in Targets in my part of the country. For those of us with a late afternoon interview, a little caffeine might help....or not. Good luck, all!

[belgrade]

Do NOT waste your time with the metro to get to the interview conducted in Falls Church's ODAR HQ. Use a cab. I did yesterday and everything went fine. The gov employee or not, you will be reimbursed for it (eventually). The parking is only for people who work there. Target parking can be used (if you drive), as someone nicely explained earlier. It's right in front the glassy tower where the ODAR is. Taxi charges some $25 to get you from/to R. Reagan WA Natl Airport (ODAR- airport).

[barkley]

On the upper level above Target and across the street is a nice Caribou Coffee shop.

[24kgoldengirl]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. I actually like riding the metro. I read, people watch, etc. My current plan is to metro to Regan National and cab from there. Otherwise, too many moving parts. --Pvtatty: I am not worried about sweating in my suit, no matter the temperature, I plan to be cool.... Good luck to all!

[71stretch]

Temps in the 70's this week, and I get to dust off my umbrella and take that, too!

[carjack]

I stayed near Pentagon City mall which is where the metro stop of the same name is and there are plenty of cabs from there. It doesn't take 15 minutes to get to the interview building and if you get a receipt you can submit it for reimbursement. There is a small lunch room in the building itself too if you get there early. Relax as best you can.

I, myself, avoid becoming over-caffeinated before an interview because it tends to make me a little hyper and then prone to nervous laughter which is usually not received well in an interview. These people don't know you so you want to put your best foot forward - and it's hard if you have bouncing leg syndrome due to too much caffeine.

Good luck to everyone!

[iapplied]

Jun 8, 2010 14:10:22 GMT -5 carjack said:

I, myself, avoid becoming over-caffeinated before an interview because it tends to make me a little hyper and then prone to nervous laughter which is usually not received well in an interview. These people don't know you so you want to put your best foot forward - and it's hard if you have bouncing leg syndrome due to too much caffeine.

Good luck to everyone!

I'm sure by now that ALJs are used to seeing bouncing legs Between working with the disabled and handling claims involving the disabled, I would bet nothing really makes ALJs look like anymore. So you can relax knowing that.

[ladyatlaw]

For interviews today (Wed, 9 June)...

Alert: King Street/Leesburg Pike coming from I-95 is very slow-going today due to repair of a cut phone cable. Please factor for a bit of delay. All the best!

[backtoeden]

I know it will be easy to take a cab to the SSA building, but what about when I leave?

Will there be cabs lined up in front of the building? I will need to get back to the airport. How do I get a cab from SSA?

[belgrade]

Ask the cab driver who drove you to the ODAR HQ to give you a busness card with the taxi co's phone number. When you're done with the interview call them and ask for a cab. I did that and the cab was in front of the bldg in 10 minutes.

[71stretch]

Jun 9, 2010 9:50:58 GMT -5 belgrade said:

Ask the cab driver who drove you to the ODAR HQ to give you a busness card with the taxi co's phone number. When you're done with the interview call them and ask for a cab. I did that and the cab was in front of the bldg in 10 minutes.

The security guard at Skyline Tower called a cab for me, they were there pronto...less than ten minutes. The staff up in the Chief ALJ's office were calling cabs for folks as they were leaving, too, so you could ask them. By the time the 4pm interviews are over, that's not an option.