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Post by privateatty on May 31, 2014 8:33:37 GMT -5
I have learned a lot from the people on this board, so perhaps, I can begin to repay part of this debt by saying that, at least to me, it is very difficult to find the public parking in the vicinity of SSA HQ at 5107 Leesburg Pike. Last weekend, with my wife as the navigator, we took a trial-run drive to the Puzzle Palace. Never been there before. Sure, you could see the 26 story glass tower from Rt 7. Very impressive and pretty. But it took us 3 passes to find any public parking (and there is NOT a lot of it). It was NOT obvious. If you are driving to your appointment and arriving during the morning rush hour for an 8:30 interview, be prepared for confusion and anxiety. This is the last thing you need. My advice - take a taxi. If you are staying in a hotel and have never been to the Puzzle Palace, I repeat, get a taxi and avoid the stress. Even if you have to pay for it out of your own pocket. If you are driving, give yourself plenty of time to find the public parking. See you at the interviews! Good luck to all. By all means! I've been there and the last thing you want to do is rent a car and stress where to go and where to park! For what, maybe ten bucks? Use the metro if you want--you can always find a taxi at the metro station. Do some research--that's what we do, eh wot? "So how did you get here'? "Uh, I rented a car, got lost, parked illegally because I was running late and ran here." Please.
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Post by westernalj on May 31, 2014 8:36:17 GMT -5
Any coffee or restaurant in the building?
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Post by bartleby on May 31, 2014 8:47:27 GMT -5
Yes there is a small café that has coffee, breakfast, lunch, etc. It's pretty good, ate most of my lunches there during training. Can't remember what floor it is on, but easy to find. If you get there early, go sit down with a Coke or coffee and get yourself collected. The interview isn't an IQ test, but you want to appear clear eyed and bushy tailed. Best thing to do is appear relaxed and enthusiastic about the job. Only you can blow it. No trick questions.
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Post by bartleby on May 31, 2014 8:56:49 GMT -5
Truthfully, I would not rent a car unless you are super familiar with the City. A lot of construction going on and ramps closed, detours, etc. There is something in the city called Super Cab, IIRC. You can book them ahead of time online or not even bother. They are at the Air Port and will take you to your hotel for maybe $10.00 bucks and you can make arrangements for them to pick you up the next morning and take you to the interview and pick you up afterwards and take you to the Air Port. Or if you are flying in and out they can take you from the Air Pot to the interview and pick you up afterwards to return to the Air Port. Highly dependable and I used them every time I have been to DC. JMHO
I checked and it is called Super Shuttle.
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Post by christina on May 31, 2014 9:42:21 GMT -5
i agree with bart. DC is a tricky city to get around with a car esp. during the workweek. You don't want to get your nerves rattled getting stuck in traffic or lost.
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Post by crab on May 31, 2014 11:44:15 GMT -5
IMHO, take a taxi or uber it, regardless of who's paying for it. It looks like it'll be pushing 90 and maybe thunderstorms next week. Not pleasant weather to be wandering around in using public transportation or parking somewhere that's not under the building. I've heard they run a shuttle from Metro but I didn't inquire - just going to call up a car for hire and not have the hassle. (Famous last words ... ) And thanks for the tip, Bart!
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Post by jd on Jun 2, 2014 14:57:22 GMT -5
For those flying in for a one day trip, if you fly into Reagan National and have a rental, the easiest way to get to 395 is to exit the airport onto the George Washington Parkway North. Look for signs that say 395 South (it's right after the bridge you will pass under). Then go down to King Street West and follow directions that they sent out. If flying into Dulles, exit airport and go to 495 (the Beltway). Head East. I forget what the sign says but it probably says "Richmond or Baltimore" or "North/South" or "East/West". Take Richmond (or south or east depending on sign). You stay on 495 about 10+ miles. You will eventually see signs for 395 North. Take that to King Street/Route 7.
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Post by undespairing on Jun 12, 2014 17:25:04 GMT -5
Does that mean that you don't use admin leave if you work for a non-SSA federal agency?
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jun 12, 2014 17:49:41 GMT -5
Does that mean that you don't use admin leave if you work for a non-SSA federal agency? It depends on your agency's policy. The use of admin leave is strictly up to the individual agency per their policy. SSA's policy is to give admin leave for employment related interviews within the agency. You will need to check with your agency (I take it not SSA from the question) to see what the policy is there.
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Post by undespairing on Jun 12, 2014 18:38:54 GMT -5
Got it, thanks!
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