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Post by yellowrose on Nov 7, 2014 12:46:30 GMT -5
The government rate for air travel is not effected by the time of booking, like it is in the private sector.
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Post by prescient on Nov 7, 2014 13:07:02 GMT -5
The government rate for air travel is not effected by the time of booking, like it is in the private sector. True, but... if you are able to find a flight that better fits your schedule than the option(s) offered by SATU, they will pay for it, so long as it costs less than the options offered. When I was scheduled for DW training, I was given one flight option which left at 6AM and arrived in St. Louis so early that I wouldn't have been able to check into the hotel for hours. Found a much more reasonable flight time that was cheaper. Had no problems having them pay for it.
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Post by Gram Pop on Nov 7, 2014 13:51:24 GMT -5
Finally got my phone call scheduling an interview. I am a non-government employee within driving distance of FC. Due to my trial schedule, I accepted an early morning Saturday interview and I am approved for a hotel room the night before. I had no idea that interviews were taking place on Saturdays. They are obviously pushing very hard to get everything accomplished in time to fill the January class.
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Post by Ace Midnight on Nov 7, 2014 13:56:55 GMT -5
The government rate for air travel is not effected by the time of booking, like it is in the private sector. It's a pre-negotiated rate - if they have a seat when you book, you get it at that rate. The only issue is when they have a non-contracted carrier providing the only flight that will accomplish the mission - I had that for my interview (I went up and back ) it was simple enough to write the justification that it would save the cost of lodging by going with the more expensive, non-contract rate.
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Post by jerseymom on Nov 7, 2014 17:10:25 GMT -5
Breathe everyone. Let the slow-moving system work. 2015 will have multiple classes. And Bart, while the Agency is quick to process an ALJ's retirement paperwork, I heard a different version of a judge retiring at Christmas. (This may not be your friend.) I heard about a judge who had issues with time and attendance (he wouldn't follow the rules). He had 240 hours of annual leave in the bank and didn't use any annual leave during the year. On the Friday after Christmas, he emails his resignation letter effective the next day. No consideration of the cases he had in the pipeline or of those scheduled for the next three months. Luckily, the hearing office management suspected this type of unprofessional behavior and the HOCALJ had scheduled a light caseload for three months so he could hear the retiring judge's cases. No hearings had to be cancelled despite the ALJ's classless and selfish move. For those wanting to become an ALJ, remember we are public servants.
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Post by Missundaztood on Nov 7, 2014 23:08:30 GMT -5
Breathe everyone. Let the slow-moving system work. 2015 will have multiple classes. And Bart, while the Agency is quick to process an ALJ's retirement paperwork, I heard a different version of a judge retiring at Christmas. (This may not be your friend.) I heard about a judge who had issues with time and attendance (he wouldn't follow the rules). He had 240 hours of annual leave in the bank and didn't use any annual leave during the year. On the Friday after Christmas, he emails his resignation letter effective the next day. No consideration of the cases he had in the pipeline or of those scheduled for the next three months. Luckily, the hearing office management suspected this type of unprofessional behavior and the HOCALJ had scheduled a light caseload for three months so he could hear the retiring judge's cases. No hearings had to be cancelled despite the ALJ's classless and selfish move. For those wanting to become an ALJ, remember we are public servants. Good thing there is a whole crop of wanna-be ALJs ready and willing to pitch in and get working. Put me in, coach Bob! Oh yeah, jerseymom's point was to be patient. Put me in, coach Bob, as soon as you are ready.
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Post by Who Me? on Nov 7, 2014 23:49:25 GMT -5
Missunder:
Understand your concerns and feelings. All I can offer, if it is meant to be, you will get an offer. If not, there still an offer as I know of a 10 pt. vet who got an offer was he/she an an offer on the last register (3 yrs. ago as about the expire was about to expire. was picked at a very major popular city at the last moment.
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tpm
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by tpm on Nov 8, 2014 0:30:38 GMT -5
Maybe if I would understand better, I could be more patient.. What's making me nervous is that some folks already got a call for an interview, some before sending in their paperwork. Are insiders getting those calls? I'm an outsider.
Adding to this is that I received my paperwork on November 5th, two days after everyone. Bob said he emailed me on Monday and Tuesday, but I didn't get/see anything until the corrective e-mail everyone seems to have gotten. I followed up twice with Bob and finally got the initial e-mail. I submitted the forms the following day (yesterday). I'm afraid that not being called for the interview is another mishap.
Would you counsel patience or following up with Bob Monday? I don't want to be the pain in the ass applicant, but moreover, sunny want to miss the opportunity.
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Post by anotherfed on Nov 8, 2014 0:52:23 GMT -5
They're doing things in different order. I got a call asking if I was still interested and we scheduled the interview right then. Got the emails after that. I'm an outsider. I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to it. It gets done when it gets done.
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tpm
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by tpm on Nov 8, 2014 1:09:09 GMT -5
Though that's easier said having received the call for the interview.
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 8, 2014 7:52:54 GMT -5
Outsiders are getting those calls too. Was called yesterday. Have not sent paperwork back yet.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Nov 8, 2014 8:36:10 GMT -5
Breathe everyone. Let the slow-moving system work. 2015 will have multiple classes. And Bart, while the Agency is quick to process an ALJ's retirement paperwork, I heard a different version of a judge retiring at Christmas. (This may not be your friend.) I heard about a judge who had issues with time and attendance (he wouldn't follow the rules). He had 240 hours of annual leave in the bank and didn't use any annual leave during the year. On the Friday after Christmas, he emails his resignation letter effective the next day. No consideration of the cases he had in the pipeline or of those scheduled for the next three months. Luckily, the hearing office management suspected this type of unprofessional behavior and the HOCALJ had scheduled a light caseload for three months so he could hear the retiring judge's cases. No hearings had to be cancelled despite the ALJ's classless and selfish move. For those wanting to become an ALJ, remember we are public servants. That was downright inappropriate behavior whether or not a public servant but being a public servant makes it even worse! Good riddance! Most of us would never do something like that. Sitting at an airport and I reread this post and it irritated me to think how ungrateful some people can be. The position of ALJ is an honor and is a very desired position. You can rest assured any of the board members will bring honor to the position. What is wrong with some people?! Shaking my head....
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Post by christina on Nov 8, 2014 9:09:14 GMT -5
senior, i suspect this judge had some long standing hostility against their office and their actions were a last ... to the office. perhaps, since we don't have all the facts, and strong emphasis on the word perhaps, some of the hostility was justified. although the time/attendance issues were clearly on said judge, not anyone else. nonetheless, yes, this reeks of unprofressionalism. regardless of the underlying facts, the claimants who had hearings scheduled could have been some of the worst victims of this behavior, and they had nothing to do with the office dynamics. not to mention any support staff who also would be unlikely to be the target of this behavior, needing to insanely scramble.
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Post by Gaidin on Nov 8, 2014 9:44:39 GMT -5
Tpm wait until Wednesday. I am an outsider. I got the email on Monday. The call to schedule the interview Tuesday. The email to set up my travel account Wednesday. The email telling me how to reserve my flight Friday. I was only given next Thursday and Friday as possible interview dates. Since Thursday fit my schedule I took it. They can make this thing work with very little time but every time they have to answer and email or phone call right now slows the process down for everybody. I know its easier for me to say this knowing that I have everything nailed down but you have to relax and let the process work itself through.
If you go back and look at old timelines you will see that the scheduling process took weeks and it was after the cert emails had gone out. They are trying to compress everything into a much smaller time frame and things are seemingly more chaotic because of it. Although I recall lots of people being concerned about when their references were called respective to interviews etc.
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Post by moopigsdad on Nov 8, 2014 11:02:34 GMT -5
Tpm wait until Wednesday. I am an outsider. I got the email on Monday. The call to schedule the interview Tuesday. The email to set up my travel account Wednesday. The email telling me how to reserve my flight Friday. I was only given next Thursday and Friday as possible interview dates. Since Thursday fit my schedule I took it. They can make this thing work with very little time but every time they have to answer and email or phone call right now slows the process down for everybody. I know its easier for me to say this knowing that I have everything nailed down but you have to relax and let the process work itself through. If you go back and look at old timelines you will see that the scheduling process took weeks and it was after the cert emails had gone out. They are trying to compress everything into a much smaller time frame and things are seemingly more chaotic because of it. Although I recall lots of people being concerned about when their references were called respective to interviews etc. Congrats Gaidin on getting interview and travel set up. I am still awaiting interview dates, but I will wait patiently until the end of next week. Then, I will start panicking. LOL!
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Post by Gaidin on Nov 8, 2014 11:13:38 GMT -5
Moo remember "Don't Panic".
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Post by mamaru on Nov 8, 2014 11:51:46 GMT -5
The exchange about the judge who resigned brings to mind that outsiders, perhaps other federal employees in different agencies also, need to understand that SSA is very strict about signing in and out and complying with attendance regulations.
I figure its a way of being accountable to the public and have no problem with it personally, even though after years of self-employment it was hard to remember the rules at first and I still make mistakes computing occasionally. Some of my colleagues are still burned at having to account for their time, provided they get the work done. At times I cannot really understand the amount of foaming over this issue, but I can see how there could be an extended battle between a HOD and an ALJ over time and attendance.
If you are in the race and think it is an insult to be asked to sign in and sign out and notify someone you will be late or taking an extended break during the day (even when you don't have hearings scheduled), perhaps you should rethink being an ALJ for SSA.
Discouraging words ala Gaiden, but this is a real issue for some so be forewarned.
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Post by Ace Midnight on Nov 8, 2014 12:52:21 GMT -5
Moo remember "Don't Panic". And always know where your towel is.
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Post by sandiferhands (old) on Nov 8, 2014 13:36:17 GMT -5
Getting a little antsy here also about not getting a call yet to schedule an interview. KCCO.
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Post by christina on Nov 8, 2014 13:38:19 GMT -5
yes, odar is a bit silly about time and attendance issues but it is the world that they live in and you have to play ball by it. i don;t know if other agencies get their .... in such a wad over this or not.
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