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Post by Serious, J. on Apr 16, 2016 15:44:19 GMT -5
I posted something in response to a question in another thread about details re: traveling to FC for the interview in May.
It was suggested I start a new thread.
When I got my interview call, I mentioned to the caller that I would have to fly into a major hub to connect out to get to DCA. The caller said she'd work on it. I got an email almost immediately giving me basic information about the travel, but no authorization numbers.
About three days later I got another call informing me that I could fly into and out of my local airport and connect in time for the interview, so SSA would not pay for a hotel. I then got all the info I needed to make flight reservations.
Anyone have any guidance about good hotels to stay at, best ways to get to SSA, and so forth? If you do, here's the thread.
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Post by ba on Apr 16, 2016 15:51:02 GMT -5
Take a cab to FC from the hotel/airport. The agency will give you a reimbursement packet at the interview. Good luck!
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Post by bac on Apr 16, 2016 16:49:46 GMT -5
Guess I should call Monday for the arrangements; I can't imagine I'd be made to fly there the day of the interview. I know, don't call me Shirley
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Post by aljwishful on Apr 16, 2016 17:13:38 GMT -5
I stayed at a Hampton Inn not to terribly far from ODAR. I took a cab to ODAR headquarters. I would highly recommend that so you don't have to worry about weather issues trying to fly in the day of your interview.
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Post by minny on Apr 16, 2016 18:20:55 GMT -5
I agree. Even if SSA had not paid for my hotel, i would have been there the day before anyway - just for peace
of mind.
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Post by rusty on Apr 16, 2016 18:48:30 GMT -5
So even if they do not approve you for an overnight stay, it is allowed to book the flight using their service to allow for an overnight stay, albeit with the lodging not reimbursed, correct?
My interview is at 1030 am and it would be an early morning indeed to get to an airport in time to fly there in time to arrive in plenty of time.
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Post by christina on Apr 16, 2016 19:05:30 GMT -5
So even if they do not approve you for an overnight stay, it is allowed to book the flight using their service to allow for an overnight stay, albeit with the lodging not reimbursed, correct? My interview is at 1030 am and it would be an early morning indeed to get to an airport in time to fly there in time to arrive in plenty of time. Yes. I think so |
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elvis
Full Member
Viva Falls Church!
Posts: 69 
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Post by elvis on Apr 16, 2016 19:06:00 GMT -5
So even if they do not approve you for an overnight stay, it is allowed to book the flight using their service to allow for an overnight stay, albeit with the lodging not reimbursed, correct? My interview is at 1030 am and it would be an early morning indeed to get to an airport in time to fly there in time to arrive in plenty of time. As long as it doesn't cost the .gov any additional $$, which it won't, it is just fine with them. |
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Post by Judicially Imployed on Apr 16, 2016 20:13:14 GMT -5
This is what I'm doing and my travel intererary has already been approved.
- Fly in the night before (covered by ssa)
- cab from dca to hotel (not covered by ssa)
- overnight at Hampton (not covered by ssa) (also Starwood by Hilton is good, they share the same parking lot, both close to ssa, both higly rated... my experience was that AAA was cheaper than government rate $217 vs. $226)
- cab from hotel to ssa (covered by ssa)
- cab from ssa to airport after interview (covered by ssa)
- fly out (covered by ssa)
- also will have per diem of just over $50 to cover food.
Hope this info is helpful to others planning.
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esq
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by esq on Apr 16, 2016 22:42:32 GMT -5
This is what I'm doing and my travel intererary has already been approved. - Fly in the night before (covered by ssa) - cab from dca to hotel (not covered by ssa) - overnight at Hampton (not covered by ssa) (also Starwood by Hilton is good, they share the same parking lot, both close to ssa, both higly rated... my experience was that AAA was cheaper than government rate $217 vs. $226) - cab from hotel to ssa (covered by ssa) - cab from ssa to airport after interview (covered by ssa) - fly out (covered by ssa) - also will have per diem of just over $50 to cover food. Hope this info is helpful to others planning. Just wondering how you went about getting your plans approved at this point? |
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Post by lizdarcy on Apr 17, 2016 5:32:33 GMT -5
I did not worry or even think about money for either the OPM or SSA interviews. In the end, I paid for my own travel for the SSA interview because it was easier. The government travel agency made some mistakes and, when they finally got it right, the arrangements they allowed would have put me at a disadvantage. I have never regretted spending that relatively small amount of money.
This is very important when going to Falls Church: the ODAR office entrance is at the back of the building as you are looking at it from the street. When you take a cab, make sure the driver goes around to the back. Then you'll see the entrance. I spent 10 anxious minutes in the cab circling the building before we found it.
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Post by gary on Apr 17, 2016 7:28:36 GMT -5
I did not worry or even think about money for either the OPM or SSA interviews. In the end, I paid for my own travel for the SSA interview because it was easier. The government travel agency made some mistakes and, when they finally got it right, the arrangements they allowed would have put me at a disadvantage. I have never regretted spending that relatively small amount of money. This is very important when going to Falls Church: the ODAR office entrance is at the back of the building as you are looking at it from the street. When you take a cab, make sure the driver goes around to the back. Then you'll see the entrance. I spent 10 anxious minutes in the cab circling the building before we found it. I thought the location of the entrance was covered by the CA. |
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Post by lizdarcy on Apr 17, 2016 9:43:40 GMT -5
Y'know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me that finding the entrance to the Puzzle Palace was the first part of the exam.
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Post by christina on Apr 17, 2016 9:46:09 GMT -5
Y'know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me that finding the entrance to the Puzzle Palace was the first part of the exam. lizdarcy, out of context here but some have been asking about Brooklyn office. i believe you said it was moving to lower Manhattan, if so, where to and if Im wrong on that, could you let me and us know that too. Thanks! |
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Post by Pixie on Apr 17, 2016 10:37:08 GMT -5
Y'know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me that finding the entrance to the Puzzle Palace was the first part of the exam. That is exactly what I thought and was going say it, but got distracted. Just one more way to winnow down the candidates. For the ones they really like, they give instructions on how to find the entrance shortly after the interview is scheduled. Pixie. |
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Post by sealaw90 on Apr 17, 2016 14:33:37 GMT -5
Y'know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me that finding the entrance to the Puzzle Palace was the first part of the exam. That is exactly what I thought and was going say it, but got distracted. Just one more way to winnow down the candidates. For the ones they really like, they give instructions on how to find the entrance shortly after the interview is scheduled. Pixie. Oohh, I got those directions. It was very helpful, especially about where to park! Perhaps when i finally move into a reachable spot on their list I'll get a call! However, the paucity of cities I was offers makes me think ill be fodder again. My kids hope so and i could wait for several more months before I say "I'll go anywhere!" |
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Post by lizdarcy on Apr 17, 2016 16:23:40 GMT -5
haha, Pixie made me laugh. The brooklyn office, now in a fabulous location in downtown Brooklyn, is allegedly moving to the Federal Building on Varick Street in Manhattan (Houston St station on the 7th Avenue local -- kindly learn how we pronounce "houston St" before you put Brooklyn on your list.  At various times, we have heard August, September and October. The most recent ETA is the week after Labor Day. Last week, 3 members of Congress had a press conference outside the office to protest the diminished service to Brooklyn residents. I prefer the Brooklyn location to Varick Street but my commute will be better. |
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Post by christina on Apr 17, 2016 16:36:12 GMT -5
haha, Pixie made me laugh. The brooklyn office, now in a fabulous location in downtown Brooklyn, is allegedly moving to the Federal Building on Varick Street in Manhattan (Houston St station on the 7th Avenue local -- kindly learn how we pronounce "houston St" before you put Brooklyn on your list. At various times, we have heard August, September and October. The most recent ETA is the week after Labor Day. Last week, 3 members of Congress had a press conference outside the office to protest the diminished service to Brooklyn residents. I prefer the Brooklyn location to Varick Street but my commute will be better. i got into a huge argument with my WestChester County buddy once that howston is fine, I guess, for new York city, but d.... it, is should be Uston for Houston, Texas, i explained that ##%%&& it, surely Sam Uston knew how he pronounced his last name and Uston, Texas was NAMED after Sam after all. my i thought great arguments fell on deaf ears!!! BTW, i believe my bud still works pretty near the old Varick street fed building. ugh, what an ugly building to put an office in.... unless they;ve changed its looks. wait, 7th Ave local goes that far south??? on its way to Brooklyn? What line is that again? R? |
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Post by numbersix on Apr 17, 2016 16:43:53 GMT -5
I still don't have my authorization number. Should I be concerned?
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Post by lizdarcy on Apr 17, 2016 16:44:51 GMT -5
It's called the 1 train these days, by people who can't pronounce Houston, Dey and Vesey Streets correctly. That train runs from the Bronx to South Ferry.
Yes, it's not the greatest of buildings.
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