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Post by hopefalj on Jan 12, 2015 15:15:51 GMT -5
I am working on travel arrangements and have not been approved for overnight travel. How much time do I need from landing at the Reagan airport to get the interview (i.e., how long does it to take to get through the airport, get a taxi, get to the building, go through security, etc)? I'm trying to figure out whether I should just pay the extra to stay overnight. Depends on the time of day, I think. I took a cab from the airport to HQ around 12:30, and I was there before 12:45. Not sure what it might be like if you've got one of the two earlier slots, but hopefully another poster can comment on the earlier times. Getting through the airport and into the taxi line wasn't a problem once I got moving. You can also Uber it from the airport and avoid the taxi line entirely. I think the big benefit of staying overnight is avoiding flight issues. Not that you aren't aware of that, but it might be something you consider paying for yourself if you're concerned about flight delays/cancellations during the DC winter.
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Post by yellowbird on Jan 12, 2015 15:23:47 GMT -5
Thanks, Hopefalj. Yes, I am concerned about flight delays -- my husband is a flight attendant and I'm all to familiar with what can happen at the airport. My initial inclination was to stay overnight, and I was surprised when the travel email said overnight was not authorized.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jan 12, 2015 15:32:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Hopefalj. Yes, I am concerned about flight delays -- my husband is a flight attendant and I'm all to familiar with what can happen at the airport. My initial inclination was to stay overnight, and I was surprised when the travel email said overnight was not authorized. I had flight delays both coming and going and was VERY thankful I stayed overnight.
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Post by 71stretch on Jan 12, 2015 15:39:13 GMT -5
Staying overnight the night before makes things SO much easier. In 2010, due to the time of the interview, I had to be authorized for 2 nights. This time, one was enough.
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Post by Gram Pop on Jan 12, 2015 15:40:51 GMT -5
The Hampton Inn is a block from the interview and a room is under $150 a night. In my mind, that's cheap insurance. Getting there a day ahead of time greatly reduces the tension usually involved with travel, especially at this time of year. And the free breakfast is nice, too.
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Post by WhereIsTheFrontDoor on Jan 12, 2015 15:43:43 GMT -5
I'd recommend staying on your own dime too. I had flight delays both ways and would not have made the interview if I was flying in on the day of. No need to place extra stress on yourself if you can help it.
Besides, finding the front door of the interview location will be stressful enough!
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Post by gary on Jan 12, 2015 16:31:01 GMT -5
I'd recommend staying on your own dime too. I had flight delays both ways and would not have made the interview if I was flying in on the day of. No need to place extra stress on yourself if you can help it. Besides, finding the front door of the interview location will be stressful enough! Now I understand your name! You had the same problem I did figuring out how to enter Fortress SSA!
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Post by FlaTreeFarm on Jan 12, 2015 16:36:22 GMT -5
I'd recommend staying on your own dime too. I had flight delays both ways and would not have made the interview if I was flying in on the day of. No need to place extra stress on yourself if you can help it. Besides, finding the front door of the interview location will be stressful enough! Now I understand your name! You had the same problem I did figuring out how to enter Fortress SSA! I think this may have been covered before, but do you have an easy explanation to help avoid the problem you had? Thanks!
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Post by WhereIsTheFrontDoor on Jan 12, 2015 17:00:21 GMT -5
Getting a cab seems like the way to go. I stayed at the Hampton and tried to walk it...20 minutes later I was still trying to find an entrance to the building.
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Post by gary on Jan 12, 2015 17:28:47 GMT -5
Now I understand your name! You had the same problem I did figuring out how to enter Fortress SSA! I think this may have been covered before, but do you have an easy explanation to help avoid the problem you had? Thanks! The cabbie got me close. Fortunately another Board member had clued me in so I could direct the cabbie the last part of the way. You have to find the ramp that goes up to an upper parking lot and at the far end of that lot is SSA's building. It's a little tricky because the ramp is not right by the tower where you might expect to find it but is past a completely different building in the complex. Many of the cabbies in the town know where to go but not all of them.
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Post by mamaru on Jan 12, 2015 17:32:51 GMT -5
Getting a cab seems like the way to go. I stayed at the Hampton and tried to walk it...20 minutes later I was still trying to find an entrance to the building. Is that how you came up with the name?
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Post by lizdarcy on Jan 12, 2015 17:41:45 GMT -5
Yellowbird -- I did not stay overnight because I am close enough to take Amtrak and had an afternoon appointment. So I don't know anything about the hotels in the area. But if I were flying, I would stay overnight on my own dime. It's much less stressful and weather delays are so possible at this time of year. Just some advice you didn't ask for. After the interview, I shared a cab with someone going to National. The driver took her there first and it took about 20 -25 minutes on a rainy day. The most important thing is to know how to get into the building! My cab driver didn't and it took too long to figure it out, despite the description you get in your email from SSA. I will see if I can remember how and other people can correct me if I am not remembering it right. When you get to the mall with Skyline Tower, the SSA building will be on your left as you are facing the mall. But it's on a different level! There is a driveway on the left that goes down and around so that the Target is on your left as you make the turn to the right around an office building. Once you make that turn, the Target will be behind you, you will not be on street level anymore and the SSA building will be in front of you. Confusing enough? Was that correct?
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Post by WhereIsTheFrontDoor on Jan 12, 2015 17:43:52 GMT -5
Getting a cab seems like the way to go. I stayed at the Hampton and tried to walk it...20 minutes later I was still trying to find an entrance to the building. Is that how you came up with the name? Unfortunately, yes!
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Post by enduring on Jan 12, 2015 17:50:28 GMT -5
My cab driver did not know how to get to the entrance. A helpful employee directed me. I had an early morning interview but still arrived about 45 minutes early so I could walk around. There was a coffee shop near the interview building so I had a cup of tea. It worked out well. Good luck!
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Post by hopefalj on Jan 12, 2015 19:35:44 GMT -5
Also, feel free to look at a Google Maps satellite image of the area if you want to get an idea of the drive should you need to help your driver (seems like everyone did). The entrance to the tower is on the WSW side near the u-shaped driveway. To access that u-shaped driveway, you need to pretend you're going to Target. You can get there from either of the adjacent roads.
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Post by redsox1 on Jan 13, 2015 6:28:35 GMT -5
Not to beat a dead horse but sound advice in this thread. I stayed at the Hampton. IMO It is well worth it for peace of mind. Good Luck
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 7:13:20 GMT -5
Recommendations for interviewees:
1. Count on flight delays. Highly recommend arriving day before and stay overnight. 2. Take cab (I prefer Uber) from Reagan airport. The Metro does not make a complete journey to Falls Church office. A fast car ride is 15 minutes. However I have taken as long as 60 minutes depending on traffic and street construction. Remember this when planning flight back home from interview. 3. Pre-arrange for cab (or again Uber is easier) from hotel to SSA office. (This is where Uber trounces cab. Uber comes with GPS on your and driver's phone so you can see where they are and where to go). 4. The office entrance is in the back of the Skyline building. Off of RT 7 Leesburg Pike, turn onto George Mason Drive (runs alongside SSA office buidling) which is actually "S. George Mason Drive". Go to 2nd light. Turn into Skyline Place Drive. You cannot miss it. It is a steep upward ramp. Go up to stop sign at top of ramp. Turn right and you will deadend into large office entrance for SSA about a block down. If you are driving, turn left at top of ramp and there is public parking lot; about $20+. Parking in the adjacent Target lot is not free. I think it is also $20+. And then you need to walk up stairs from Target lot to the office entrance. 5. Plan additional +20 minutes just to get through security depending on crowd size and security computer operation. You must have your ID and preferably your SSA appointment documents. You will go through usual airport type security to the right as you enter building. You will then be directed by security to their office to have your temp ID tag etc made. You will then go through a couple of doors (it feels like a maze) but will end up at elevators to take to your assigned floor for your interview. 6. Dress appropriately. 7. Leave your suitcase at your hotel to pick up later after interview. Otherwise you can bring it with you. No you cannot leave it with security.
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Post by steelrain on Jan 13, 2015 10:32:05 GMT -5
I want to echo much of the previous advice.
I was only authorized same day travel but flew down the night before and paid for a hotel on my own dime. This will cut down on your stress and anxiety and well worth the price of the hotel, especially given how important the final interview is.
Also I would highly recommend getting there about 30-45 minutes early. I was lucky in that my cab driver got me to the proper entrance, but when I arrived 45 minutes early there was already one interviewee there and the other two showed up within the next five minutes. We were whisked up to the Chief Judge's suite with still 30 minutes before the official start time and my interviewers came out to get me 15 minutes early. Always better to be a little early then late.
Good luck everyone!
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Post by chessparent on Jan 13, 2015 10:48:54 GMT -5
All good advice. Also, do not count on your cab driver knowing how to get to the main entrance of the building (in back). Mine did not and I had to guide him in. Fortunately, I looked at an aerial view the day before and knew the layout. Now-go knock 'em dead.
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Post by FlaTreeFarm on Jan 13, 2015 11:23:49 GMT -5
Also, feel free to look at a Google Maps satellite image of the area if you want to get an idea of the drive should you need to help your driver (seems like everyone did). The entrance to the tower is on the WSW side near the u-shaped driveway. To access that u-shaped driveway, you need to pretend you're going to Target. You can get there from either of the adjacent roads. Thanks to all for the advice! The satellite image was a great idea. I think I can see all the features that have been mentioned, including the walkover bridge. The picture is all coming together!
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