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Post by upperwolfjaw on Jun 15, 2016 13:55:52 GMT -5
I searched the board history and found several older discussions of practical training issues, such as dress code, location of the training, etc. Of course, there is also this excellent thread (above): aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/855/alj-hiring-faq-training-benefits However, I am starting this new thread because those who have been to training more recently might have updated helpful information. First questions: It sounds like they place the new ALJs in a hotel together, and bus us to and from training each day. Do they still do it that way? Do folks ever rent a car for the duration, to have a way to get to a grocery store, etc.? What about sharing and splitting the cost?
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Post by vudublu on Jun 15, 2016 17:35:27 GMT -5
Last session, Feb-Mar 2016, we were housed in the Pentagon City Residence Inn and bussed back and forth each day. There is a 24 hour grocery store (with beer and wine sold) about a 5 min walk away, or if you need more groceries you can ask for a pickup by the hotel shuttle (although you may wait a while for it). Hotel has buffet breakfast each day and several nights a week receptions with two free beers / wines and food that could serve as a light dinner. Plenty of restaurants also within 5 to 10 minutes walk. I didn't participate in any car rentals, and don't think anyone did but could be proven wrong.
If you live a short direct flight away and want to go home on the weekend, you are allowed by the contract to do so - if you check out of the hotel - and the agency must reimburse you for that travel up to the cost of staying in hotel (with per diem etc.). If you do this, be prepared for some pushback and ready to justify the numbers for your reimbursement, and tell them up front when you say you need the hotel that you only need it Sunday through Thursday nights.
Dress code is business casual, which our classmates chose to interpret on the full spectrum. But as my HOCALJ said before I left, look at the schedule as soon as you get it and wear something nicer when the high mucky mucks are there.
Most importantly, have fun! You'll learn a lot and meet some great people.
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Post by onepingonly on Jun 15, 2016 17:47:10 GMT -5
You're not limited to the hotel. You can spend the per diem however you want. I rented a condo with a full kitchen and brought my family. (My daughter was 8, my son was 18 months old, and my wife was 4 months pregnant. I wasn't planning to leave them behind for a month.) We drove up in the family car (not an option for all, I know) and it worked out great.
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Post by dcasea on Jun 15, 2016 17:48:09 GMT -5
www.fedtravel.com shows flight schedules and government fares, though not actual availability. With the DC lodging per diem rate as high as it is, even longer flights (eg. west coast) could be justified as cheaper, or at least the same cost, as staying in DC over the weekends. Particularly since you wouldn't get Saturday meal per diem, and only 3/4ths for Friday and for Sunday as travel days. Don't forget too that you have three DC area airports; the government contract fare can vary among the three to the same destination. If you live in a place with multiple airports, you may have a wide selection of fares and schedules to work with.
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Post by february on Jun 15, 2016 18:31:36 GMT -5
Interesting--I didn't realize that they would reimburse any of the cost for a weekend trip home. I'll be in the August training class, so the third weekend will be over Labor Day (I assume we won't have class on the holiday, right?). I was planning on coming home, especially since it's also my daughter's birthday, but was assuming it would all be on my own dime.
Can we book flights on our own at any point and seek reimbursement later, or do we need to wait? Also, it occurs to me that one drawback to this would be having to schlepp all of your stuff home for the weekend if you have to check out of the hotel. I don't suppose there's any way to store anything on site?
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Post by marathon on Jun 15, 2016 19:10:44 GMT -5
Interesting--I didn't realize that they would reimburse any of the cost for a weekend trip home. I'll be in the August training class, so the third weekend will be over Labor Day (I assume we won't have class on the holiday, right?). I was planning on coming home, especially since it's also my daughter's birthday, but was assuming it would all be on my own dime. Can we book flights on our own at any point and seek reimbursement later, or do we need to wait? Also, it occurs to me that one drawback to this would be having to schlepp all of your stuff home for the weekend if you have to check out of the hotel. I don't suppose there's any way to store anything on site? Might be worth checking with the front desk. Since you're going to be there a month, they might accommodate storage of a couple of bags for a few days.
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Post by christina on Jun 15, 2016 19:23:41 GMT -5
If it's the residence inn, they likely will
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Post by raylan on Jun 15, 2016 21:11:24 GMT -5
Interesting--I didn't realize that they would reimburse any of the cost for a weekend trip home. I'll be in the August training class, so the third weekend will be over Labor Day (I assume we won't have class on the holiday, right?). I was planning on coming home, especially since it's also my daughter's birthday, but was assuming it would all be on my own dime. Can we book flights on our own at any point and seek reimbursement later, or do we need to wait? Also, it occurs to me that one drawback to this would be having to schlepp all of your stuff home for the weekend if you have to check out of the hotel. I don't suppose there's any way to store anything on site? Or I'm sure a classmate sticking around would hold onto stuff for you (I'd be happy to do so). I did note that at least the first weekend, the rooms are very cheap. $85 I believe. My sister is coming down with my nephews and is getting a room.
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Post by pumpkin on Jun 15, 2016 21:22:55 GMT -5
Interesting--I didn't realize that they would reimburse any of the cost for a weekend trip home. I'll be in the August training class, so the third weekend will be over Labor Day (I assume we won't have class on the holiday, right?). I was planning on coming home, especially since it's also my daughter's birthday, but was assuming it would all be on my own dime. Can we book flights on our own at any point and seek reimbursement later, or do we need to wait? Also, it occurs to me that one drawback to this would be having to schlepp all of your stuff home for the weekend if you have to check out of the hotel. I don't suppose there's any way to store anything on site? Might be worth checking with the front desk. Since you're going to be there a month, they might accommodate storage of a couple of bags for a few days. That's exactly what we did - whomever was leaving for the weekend just stashed their stuff in a classmate's room.
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Post by february on Jun 15, 2016 21:30:26 GMT -5
Interesting--I didn't realize that they would reimburse any of the cost for a weekend trip home. I'll be in the August training class, so the third weekend will be over Labor Day (I assume we won't have class on the holiday, right?). I was planning on coming home, especially since it's also my daughter's birthday, but was assuming it would all be on my own dime. Can we book flights on our own at any point and seek reimbursement later, or do we need to wait? Also, it occurs to me that one drawback to this would be having to schlepp all of your stuff home for the weekend if you have to check out of the hotel. I don't suppose there's any way to store anything on site? Or I'm sure a classmate sticking around would hold onto stuff for you (I'd be happy to do so). I did note that at least the first weekend, the rooms are very cheap. $85 I believe. My sister is coming down with my nephews and is getting a room. I may well take you up on that offer, Raylan! My husband and daughter are also planning on coming out the first weekend, but will just be crashing with me, so that shouldn't add to any costs.
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Post by Baymax on Jun 16, 2016 12:58:26 GMT -5
So does that mean that one cannot simply drive home for the weekend (without checking out) if one does not ask for reimbursement? Let's say I drive down in my own car, and get reimbursed for that. But then I leave for the weekend and come back without checking out and I don't seek reimbursement for my travel home over the weekend. Will anyone care? Will it be an issue?
Note, I'm not one of the lucky ones to get the call yet, but no harm in asking, right?
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Post by onepingonly on Jun 16, 2016 13:08:31 GMT -5
So does that mean that one cannot simply drive home for the weekend (without checking out) if one does not ask for reimbursement? Let's say I drive down in my own car, and get reimbursed for that. But then I leave for the weekend and come back without checking out and I don't seek reimbursement for my travel home over the weekend. Will anyone care? Will it be an issue? Note, I'm not one of the lucky ones to get the call yet, but no harm in asking, right? When you get the call, you can check with the admin assistant, but I can't see any objection. If you decide to drive to the Udvar Hazi on a day off (a great idea, by the way), and you don't seek any gov reimbursement, who could stop you? Makes no difference where you go on your own time and your own dime. Good luck, and safe travels.
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Post by upperwolfjaw on Jun 16, 2016 13:32:44 GMT -5
For flights to and from training, do they put you in touch with that travel office, or do you purchase a ticket and request reimbursement?
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Post by tinkerbell725 on Jun 16, 2016 15:03:13 GMT -5
Do not purchase your own ticket! You will be issued a government credit card and will put your flight on it through the government contractor. For those of you new to government work, be very cautious about what you charge to the govt credit card. Flight, hotel, necessary transportation, meals, all OK. Do not do what a former colleague tried to do - go to a winery and charge 3 bottles of wine. That's a sure fire way to get in some serious trouble!
On Mondays through Wednesdays the hotel has an evening happy hour where you can get free food and beverages. It's not always great stuff, but I'd recommend going down to socialize with your classmates and the instructor judges. The instructor judges are a great resource, so take any opportunity to chat with them.
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Post by Baymax on Jun 16, 2016 15:30:53 GMT -5
Are any of the board members planning to be instructor judges? Pixie said she used to be one. I think it would be awesome if those board members coming to FC as instructors could get together with newbies from the board too.
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Post by cheesy on Jun 16, 2016 16:33:45 GMT -5
Happy to answer any questions about the area around the Residence Inn... I used to live right down the block! ?
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Post by shoocat on Jun 16, 2016 18:56:11 GMT -5
I didn't learn this until I got to FC for training--make sure have cases assigned to you as you have some time to work on them as part of class.
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Post by vudublu on Jun 16, 2016 20:54:03 GMT -5
So does that mean that one cannot simply drive home for the weekend (without checking out) if one does not ask for reimbursement? Let's say I drive down in my own car, and get reimbursed for that. But then I leave for the weekend and come back without checking out and I don't seek reimbursement for my travel home over the weekend. Will anyone care? Will it be an issue? Note, I'm not one of the lucky ones to get the call yet, but no harm in asking, right? You're on your own and can do whatever you want if not seeking reimbursement.
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Post by vudublu on Jun 16, 2016 20:57:30 GMT -5
For flights to and from training, do they put you in touch with that travel office, or do you purchase a ticket and request reimbursement? The government has negotiated fares for "city pairs." They are usually lower than anything you find yourself, and are two-tiered: one is the discount fare and one the last seat fare. Reimbursement is capped at that rate, so best to use it to book your flight.
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Post by rusty on Jun 30, 2016 6:27:00 GMT -5
Does anyone know the "we will fly you/drive yourself" mileage radius for travel to DC for the training?
I have a feeling that my new location will be near the threshold mark.
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