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Post by BagLady on Sept 21, 2013 13:08:59 GMT -5
Congrats on finishing, dw2b.
I agree that the testing process is fair to all who have made it this far. A background in litigation should give an attorney sufficient writing experience for the WD.
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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 21, 2013 14:05:21 GMT -5
I was there on the 18th and the room was FREEZING in the morning -- they should have issued parkas and gloves. Apparently someone complained or the proctors themselves got too cold, because it became uncomfortably warm in the afternoon. My guess -- and it is only a guess -- is that they crank up the A/C in the morning to compensate for the heat generated by the computers.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 24, 2013 7:13:19 GMT -5
Actually enjoyed the LBMT.... Congrats on breaking on through to the other side. How'd you celebrate? Self flogging and sticking needles in yourself? Masochist much? Just kidding, sort of
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 8:19:14 GMT -5
I tested yesterday and, like all others have reported, it was a bit chilly in the room. We had a full house with a very similar demographic to what I've seen on the board. The people I met were only interested in working in their current cities, it seemed. We were told not to go outside at all even those with gov't ID due to heightened security. I was sort of dreading such a long day of testing but it absolutely flew! Actually enjoyed the LBMT.... Congrats to the other side. I agree that the LBMT wad enjoyable in a weird sort of way. LOL!
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 8:20:29 GMT -5
Actually enjoyed the LBMT.... Congrats on breaking on through to the other side. How'd you celebrate? Self flogging and sticking needles in yourself? Masochist much? Just kidding, sort of Funky how did you know my secret? Darn another secret out of the bag. LOL!
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Post by gunner on Sept 24, 2013 13:22:49 GMT -5
I tested yesterday and, like all others have reported, it was a bit chilly in the room. We had a full house with a very similar demographic to what I've seen on the board. The people I met were only interested in working in their current cities, it seemed. We were told not to go outside at all even those with gov't ID due to heightened security. I was sort of dreading such a long day of testing but it absolutely flew! Actually enjoyed the LBMT.... So mostly dogs, muppets, cartoons, a couple of actors, and about half faceless gray people? (I know for certain that a young Daniel Webster wasn't there yesterday).
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 24, 2013 16:05:34 GMT -5
I tested yesterday and, like all others have reported, it was a bit chilly in the room. We had a full house with a very similar demographic to what I've seen on the board. The people I met were only interested in working in their current cities, it seemed. We were told not to go outside at all even those with gov't ID due to heightened security. I was sort of dreading such a long day of testing but it absolutely flew! Actually enjoyed the LBMT.... So mostly dogs, muppets, cartoons, a couple of actors, and about half faceless gray people? (I know for certain that a young Daniel Webster wasn't there yesterday). Neither was Matt Damon, he'll be there tomorrow...
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Post by Ace Midnight on Sept 24, 2013 20:00:22 GMT -5
Anybody seen Chevy Chase? I didn't make it that far into Maryland on this trip.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 26, 2013 7:10:53 GMT -5
So mostly dogs, muppets, cartoons, a couple of actors, and about half faceless gray people? (I know for certain that a young Daniel Webster wasn't there yesterday). haha : ) - about 2/3 male, white, 40-60 y.o. Thanks for the information mdatty. Good luck on the SI.
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 2, 2013 8:30:39 GMT -5
Bump. Would really like to hear from Observer and others about this week - may be the most interesting trip reports on the whole thread! I hope everything goes as originally planned, cause we are all rooting for you!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Oct 2, 2013 11:30:18 GMT -5
Bump. Would really like to hear from Observer and others about this week - may be the most interesting trip reports on the whole thread! I hope everything goes as originally planned, cause we are all rooting for you! Agree!
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Post by minny on Oct 2, 2013 13:06:47 GMT -5
Bump. Would really like to hear from Observer and others about this week - may be the most interesting trip reports on the whole thread! I hope everything goes as originally planned, cause we are all rooting for you! Everything went off pretty smoothly. The OPM staff confirmed yesterday at the end of the day that the SIs would happen. My SI started about 15 minutes late because OPM scrambled this morning to cobble together panels due to the shutdown. My panel had an OPM staffer and a retired ALJ and I'd be willing to bet the other panels looked the same given the SSA Chief ALJ memo that a was discussed on here Monday. The makeup of those testing yesterday was 9 women and 10 men and I think everyone was rescheduled but I could be wrong on that one. Except for one lady of apparent Asian descent everyone appeared to be Caucasian. I think ages ran mostly in the 40s to 60s although a few might have been in there 30s (I'm bad with ages).
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Post by moopigsdad on Oct 2, 2013 13:44:19 GMT -5
Bump. Would really like to hear from Observer and others about this week - may be the most interesting trip reports on the whole thread! I hope everything goes as originally planned, cause we are all rooting for you! Everything went off pretty smoothly. The OPM staff confirmed yesterday at the end of the day that the SIs would happen. My SI started about 15 minutes late because OPM scrambled this morning to cobble together panels due to the shutdown. My panel had an OPM staffer and a retired ALJ and I'd be willing to bet the other panels looked the same given the SSA Chief ALJ memo that a was discussed on here Monday. The makeup of those testing yesterday was 9 women and 10 men and I think everyone was rescheduled but I could be wrong on that one. Except for one lady of apparent Asian descent everyone appeared to be Caucasian. I think ages ran mostly in the 40s to 60s although a few might have been in there 30s (I'm bad with ages). Thanks for the trip report minny. Congratulations on finishing Phase 3 and welcome to the other side, which is waiting for a NOR. I appreciate the data and now see that there are certainly way less than 30 testing in the room. You stated there were only 19 yesterday. How much of OPM was open? Were there a lot of other workers there? Was the cafeteria for lunch opened and busy? Curious as to this fact. Your panel sort of mirrored mine and I did my SI in early September, so no real difference despite the shutdown.
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Benny
Full Member
Posts: 56
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Post by Benny on Oct 2, 2013 15:06:45 GMT -5
Happy for all those who are able to test despite the shutdown. There was a reference to testing on October 8 and 9 and a vague reference to October 20 (but not confirmed), anyone testing next week? If so, hope OPM stays open and you don't have a hassle on a stressful day.
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 2, 2013 15:07:46 GMT -5
Thanks Minny, glad you're on the other side with us!
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Post by happytoalmostbedone on Oct 2, 2013 15:45:46 GMT -5
I am testing October 8 and 9. I hope it continues as this week did despite the shut down.
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 2, 2013 16:44:48 GMT -5
I am testing October 8 and 9. I hope it continues as this week did despite the shut down. Except for the park, monument and museum closures ( and fewer people at the Smithsonian Metro stop) it's business as usual in DC and in ALJ testing land. (Where's the "relieved" emoticon?) Bought some goodies at a farmer's market right by my Metro stop, to fortify me for the SI tomorrow! MPD-- OPM building appeared fully open (hard to tell how many not at work) cafeteria open but not extremely busy.
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Post by epic0ego on Oct 2, 2013 16:54:14 GMT -5
I am thankful that the ALJ testing process seems not to have skipped a beat. Good luck to all, especially my colleagues who live paycheck to paycheck as many of us do.
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Post by moopigsdad on Oct 2, 2013 17:34:41 GMT -5
I am testing October 8 and 9. I hope it continues as this week did despite the shut down. Except for the park, monument and museum closures ( and fewer people at the Smithsonian Metro stop) it's business as usual in DC and in ALJ testing land. (Where's the "relieved" emoticon?) Bought some goodies at a farmer's market right by my Metro stop, to fortify me for the SI tomorrow! MPD-- OPM building appeared fully open (hard to tell how many not at work) cafeteria open but not extremely busy. Thank you observer53. I was just trying to determine how many at OPM are considered essential. Evidently, most of them.
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 2, 2013 18:22:52 GMT -5
Except for the park, monument and museum closures ( and fewer people at the Smithsonian Metro stop) it's business as usual in DC and in ALJ testing land. (Where's the "relieved" emoticon?) Bought some goodies at a farmer's market right by my Metro stop, to fortify me for the SI tomorrow! MPD-- OPM building appeared fully open (hard to tell how many not at work) cafeteria open but not extremely busy. Thank you observer53. I was just trying to determine how many at OPM are considered essential. Evidently, most of them. That's a big building, and we were having lunch at what would be peak time. While more than just our proctor, the security guards and the cafeteria contractor must have been considered essential, I'm willing to bet a number of OPM folks were at home.
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