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Post by Quiet Thunder on Aug 17, 2016 12:21:23 GMT -5
I'm at the minimum, a 12 hour-drive away (without stops). For me, the decision will be based on whether I travel with the fam or I go solo. If solo, I'd rather fly and not worry about the hassle of driving. If with fam, we'll drive - more cost-effective than buying tickets for all. Still contemplating if I want go solo or not.
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Post by msp on Aug 17, 2016 12:25:17 GMT -5
@quiet Thunder, I hear ya, I love the idea of flying in, having someone else get me to my destination & putting my brain on cruise. But I think the drive will do me good. A 12 hour drive for you w/o stops, yikes. Flying may be the way for you, esp if solo.
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Post by weisstho on Aug 17, 2016 13:04:00 GMT -5
I'm doing ten hours of driving, and looking forward to it, particularly the drive home after the Brain Dump.
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Post by Mermaid on Aug 17, 2016 13:49:36 GMT -5
If you have the flexibility to drive to D.C. take the drive option. Why would you want to take the chance of a Delta-type glitch (August 8 computer malfunction that grounded the airline and thousands of passengers around the world) and end up missing your appointment time? Yes, of course, OPM might reschedule for sometime next year, but do you really want to wait that long?
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Post by hopefulop on Aug 17, 2016 14:06:19 GMT -5
YES - I weighed the same factors and with the pre-arrival times etc opted to drive. My husband is coming with me. Probably would have been a little faster flying but he likes to have the car. And this way he can drive me to the OPM and SI if need be
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Post by sophie22 on Aug 17, 2016 14:35:08 GMT -5
Totally random, and I'm sure wouldn't include anyone on the board, but I wonder what the voluntary withdrawal rate is from those that decide they don't want to take the time and money to go to DC for a few days? I'm guessing it's pretty slim, but there has to be a few that drop out.
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Post by tripper on Aug 17, 2016 14:37:56 GMT -5
As I am flight delayed after flight delayed trying to get to FC for my interview tmw, I hope you are right on th SP juju! I hope you made in time to get some rest before your interview! Yes. I managed a few hours. Now at the airport bar trying to cure a massive headache. How is it possible I felt happier after the SI?
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Post by privateatty on Aug 17, 2016 16:24:34 GMT -5
I'm at the minimum, a 12 hour-drive away (without stops). For me, the decision will be based on whether I travel with the fam or I go solo. If solo, I'd rather fly and not worry about the hassle of driving. If with fam, we'll drive - more cost-effective than buying tickets for all. Still contemplating if I want go solo or not. You're such a Mom--and I mean that with all the compliments! But really, isn't this about you? I'll bet you didn't take the family to the Bar Exam. Do everything you want to do: wear "your" clothes and jewelry, listen to "your" music, drink "your" drinks--well, you get my drift...
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Post by privateatty on Aug 17, 2016 16:27:03 GMT -5
I tested in September and I don't recall State Plaza costing as much as you guys are finding now. But, I also shared a room with a fellow applicant and split the cost. Not that I would suggest you guys doubling up. I lucked up in the fact that my college roommate (a guy that was the best man at my wedding, my junior partner in the firm I started, the person that convinced me to come to work for SSA in 2009) was also testing on the same days I was. Our SI's were even at the same time (both SS#s from the same state and last names beginning with the same letter.) So, my trip to the OPM torture chamber became a reunion with a good friend and I was able to stay on the cheap. And further supporting the awesome juju of the state plaza argument, we both made the register, made the first cert, interviewed with SSA on the same date, were hired as aljs on that first cert and trained together in FC. Whoa! A friend like that? Haven't seen anything like that since 'Nam. Good 'un, mate!
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0in1
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by 0in1 on Aug 17, 2016 17:03:40 GMT -5
How to pack your suit without wrinkles. I usually FedEx my suits...will have to give this a try.
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Post by judgymcjudgypants on Aug 17, 2016 18:38:48 GMT -5
Other than law school, this is the most money I have ever paid to NOT have a good time.
And y'all are right in there with me!
J
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Post by Quiet Thunder on Aug 17, 2016 18:54:44 GMT -5
I'm at the minimum, a 12 hour-drive away (without stops). For me, the decision will be based on whether I travel with the fam or I go solo. If solo, I'd rather fly and not worry about the hassle of driving. If with fam, we'll drive - more cost-effective than buying tickets for all. Still contemplating if I want go solo or not. You're such a Mom--and I mean that with all the compliments! But really, isn't this about you? I'll bet you didn't take the family to the Bar Exam. Do everything you want to do: wear "your" clothes and jewelry, listen to "your" music, drink "your" drinks--well, you get my drift... Thanks, privateatty. Yeah, this is all about me! Yahoooooooo!! 😄😎 But wait a sec, I just remembered that I get severe separation anxiety when away from the bambinos. 😞😩
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Post by sweetnlow on Aug 17, 2016 18:56:59 GMT -5
These prices are killing me. So, I've broken down and reserved an Airbnb apartment. I found one in foggy bottom for $167 a night v the $250 up I'm finding for hotels. It is beautiful! Full living room kitchen one room apartment. It's a 6 minute taxi or 20 minute walk to OPM. It's also within a block of Trader Joes so I can save money on not eating out. The guy has an apartment building with 4 one bedroom apartments recently renovated that he's put on there. He has great reviews. If you want to check it out its called "Brand New Foggy Bottom Apartment # [1-3]".
There are also detailed parking options and included gym access for those interested. Just don't count out Airbnb. Some really nice places on there with good solid reviews!
Good luck to all!
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Aug 18, 2016 9:19:49 GMT -5
I stayed at the State Plaza last October. I think it was $222 per night. The hotel is a bit outdated, but it's clean and comfortable, the bed linens are newer, and the staff was very friendly and attentive. It was very convenient to OPM, maybe a 5 minute walk. I had free breakfast with my package. I went to the restaurant when it opened at 7 am and there were only two or three other people there, so I had time to get breakfast and still make it to the WD on time. The waiter was super nice and put my coffee in a to go so I could take it with me. I took a cab to the SI at the Embassy Suites and walked back. I think it took about 20 minutes to walk (in dress shoes). I had a late flight home so the State Plaza stored my bags while I was at the SI, got them out for me when I returned so I could change, and stored them again so I could do some sightseeing for the afternoon. I let them know I had lost my sunglasses and they returned them to me that evening when I came back for my bags. I had forgotten them in my room. This is exactly my plan (and exactly my rate)! Thanks for answering the few questions I had about breakfast, storing bags, etc. Very helpful!
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Aug 18, 2016 9:30:48 GMT -5
If you have the flexibility to drive to D.C. take the drive option. Why would you want to take the chance of a Delta-type glitch (August 8 computer malfunction that grounded the airline and thousands of passengers around the world) and end up missing your appointment time? Yes, of course, OPM might reschedule for sometime next year, but do you really want to wait that long?Since driving is not an option for me, I'm hoping that if any of us fall test-takers do miss our dates (due to flight delays, weather, shutdown, etc.), OPM will be able to put us in an open slot in Jan/Feb/March and we'll still be in the game and get our NORs without any delay.
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Aug 18, 2016 9:35:03 GMT -5
I'm at the minimum, a 12 hour-drive away (without stops). For me, the decision will be based on whether I travel with the fam or I go solo. If solo, I'd rather fly and not worry about the hassle of driving. If with fam, we'll drive - more cost-effective than buying tickets for all. Still contemplating if I want go solo or not. You're such a Mom--and I mean that with all the compliments! But really, isn't this about you? I'll bet you didn't take the family to the Bar Exam. Do everything you want to do: wear "your" clothes and jewelry, listen to "your" music, drink "your" drinks--well, you get my drift... I actually did take my family with me to the bar exam out of necessity (six month old baby who wouldn't take a bottle). It was not ideal. Probably a good thing that I didn't see the breakdown of my scores -- it was enough to know that I passed. This time around, I'm going solo.
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Post by Thomas fka Lance on Aug 18, 2016 9:39:26 GMT -5
I flew in two days prior to the testing for several reasons.
1. the first night in a strange place does not give me the best quality rest, and I was concerned I would spent a restless night before testing;
2. if there was a flight delay, I still had an entire day's "cushion" to arrive well before any testing. Although I knew I wouldn't get the best rest if that happened, that extra cushion alleviated the concern caused by #3; and
3. most important, I would not count on the generousity of OPM if you miss your scheduled testing date.
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Post by hopingforalj on Aug 18, 2016 9:47:04 GMT -5
Im flying in two days early, just in case.
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Post by hopefulop on Aug 18, 2016 9:51:03 GMT -5
I am going in mid september and taking my husband. We are driving. I found a holiday inn on Rhode island NW. For average of $272 a night. Looks close enoigh by car as i will have my personal taxi. Anyone with knowledge of traffic or logistics in the area between hotel and opm and/or hotel and si that would like to share any insights? Thx
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Aug 18, 2016 9:59:39 GMT -5
In case you haven't seen it, one of our forward-thinking members emailed OPM and got the location of the SI interview: aljdiscussion.proboards.com/post/111099/threadFrom the post: "Applicants who received the 2016 ALJ Examination Scheduling Invitation in August 2016 and self-scheduled their Written Demonstration/Logic Based Measurement Test on-line will participate in the Structured Interviews at the Embassy Suites – Old Town, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314." It's about 10 miles south of OPM, but close to Reagan National.
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