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Post by privateatty on Aug 30, 2015 10:13:56 GMT -5
hi. most hotels are very open to you leaving your luggage at the hotel if you need to. so you could check out crazy early. leave your bags in the hotel bag room, pick them after the testing, and then move to next hotel. ive done this before and have yet to lose anything. some of these bag rooms are overseen by the porters, who understandably hope for a tip if you need to do this. at other hotels, front desk staff oversee the bags. Done this scores of times in my past life. I always tipped and while I did it out of pride its really about ensuring a seamless experience.
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Post by christina on Aug 30, 2015 10:18:52 GMT -5
hi. most hotels are very open to you leaving your luggage at the hotel if you need to. so you could check out crazy early. leave your bags in the hotel bag room, pick them after the testing, and then move to next hotel. ive done this before and have yet to lose anything. some of these bag rooms are overseen by the porters, who understandably hope for a tip if you need to do this. at other hotels, front desk staff oversee the bags. Done this scores of times in my past life. I always tipped and while I did it out of pride its really about ensuring a seamless experience. Agreed, i am very generous with these tips and the porters notice and appreciate it and are very helpful.
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Post by aljwantabe on Aug 30, 2015 10:56:29 GMT -5
Hadn't thought of that! Thanks all!
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Post by worrywart on Aug 31, 2015 7:05:42 GMT -5
Which hotels are closest to OPM and the past location for the SI? Walking distance?
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Post by tripper on Aug 31, 2015 10:09:57 GMT -5
Using Hotwire to look at hotels, is "White House/downtown" the proper neighborhood to search in? Thanks!
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Post by privateatty on Aug 31, 2015 11:14:31 GMT -5
When I looked its Foggy Bottom--the "cheaper" Marriott there.
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salvo
Full Member
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Post by salvo on Aug 31, 2015 13:24:48 GMT -5
So, the new emails do not contain any notice of where the SI is going to be held, only that after the WD we will receive notification as to the time (and I assume location...I hope location...that would be an interesting secondary test...) of the SI.
So, the question is, where should I arrange for a hotel? I've only been to DC once and stayed with friends, so I'm not sure as to where I should be staying. Also will be taking my wife and toddler and making a long weekend of it.
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 31, 2015 13:29:20 GMT -5
So, the new emails do not contain any notice of where the SI is going to be held, only that after the WD we will receive notification as to the time (and I assume location...I hope location...that would be an interesting secondary test...) of the SI. So, the question is, where should I arrange for a hotel? I've only been to DC once and stayed with friends, so I'm not sure as to where I should be staying. Also will be taking my wife and toddler and making a long weekend of it. Folks. I think no one will know where the SI is until the first group goes through and then it might change depending on how many people are going through at a given time. I would not be surprised if they conduct the SI at OPM or at a nearby hotel depending on the number of test takers. If they are only running one panel of interviews I can easily see them sticking it in a vacant conference room at OPM.
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Post by gary on Aug 31, 2015 13:42:17 GMT -5
Using Hotwire to look at hotels, is "White House/downtown" the proper neighborhood to search in? Thanks! If you book early maybe you can get the Lincoln Bedroom.
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Post by tripper on Aug 31, 2015 13:47:19 GMT -5
I would not be surprised if they conduct the SI at OPM or at a nearby hotel depending on the number of test takers. If they are only running one panel of interviews I can easily see them sticking it in a vacant conference room at OPM. So we should book a hotel convienent to OPM and hope for the best?
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 31, 2015 14:07:43 GMT -5
I would not be surprised if they conduct the SI at OPM or at a nearby hotel depending on the number of test takers. If they are only running one panel of interviews I can easily see them sticking it in a vacant conference room at OPM. So we should book a hotel convienent to OPM and hope for the best? Definitely, hope for the best.
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Post by gary on Aug 31, 2015 15:22:33 GMT -5
So we should book a hotel convienent to OPM and hope for the best? Definitely, hope for the best. The whole hiring process is built on hoping for the best.
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Post by gary on Aug 31, 2015 15:44:01 GMT -5
I would not be surprised if they conduct the SI at OPM or at a nearby hotel depending on the number of test takers. If they are only running one panel of interviews I can easily see them sticking it in a vacant conference room at OPM. So we should book a hotel convienent to OPM and hope for the best? Inasmuch as it appears the location of the SIs is not being shared with anyone but the Chinese, that would be a good strategy. Another might be (if you're not testing early) to see if the location is not covered by this year's version of the CA and so finds its way into posts here. Then, while it might be gambling on OPM using the same location for all SIs, you might have a choice to make, i.e., close to WD/LBMT site or close to SI site. I think I'd be inclined to go with a hotel close to OPM. It's a sure thing and can be booked now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 16:13:42 GMT -5
The SI is not necessarily secret location they just sent out separate emails on both days, so after you get your days all set up, you should get two different emails. It seemed like the talk online last time was that it was the same hotel as years before. My year it was the Embassy Suite at 1250 22nd street, but it's just an ordinary hotel, so I could see it changing if the PTB deem it so.
The OPM building is not changing, so if you are planning real far in advance, Courtyard Foggy Bottom is the closest to the front door of OPM, directly across the street. Funky stayed somewhere real close also, maybe he will post the name if he reads this, but anyway, that's what I remember from 3 years ago. Hope it helps.
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Post by nj4096 on Aug 31, 2015 16:14:39 GMT -5
If possible either do not rely on metro subway system or give yourself a lot of lead time heading to your test and interview. I must acknowledge that I telework a lot so do not take metro regularly. Lately there have been a lot of snafus/delays on metro. I have been stuck one stop away from my destination for 20 minutes due to track maintenance for example. Good luck.
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 31, 2015 16:33:58 GMT -5
I stayed at the state plaza (stateplaza.com).
It was the cheapest option I found, was very close to opm and was an easy walk to the Embassy Suites where our si was.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2015 16:45:05 GMT -5
Do not forget to bring/pack an umbrella, it will keep you dry if it starts raining while walking to the SI in a nice dress suit, so I have heard! I did not, but we had no rain my two days, others not so lucky!
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Post by gary on Aug 31, 2015 16:54:32 GMT -5
OPM is doing it differently this time. The testees will receive the SI Admission Notice at OPM's building on the day they take the WD/LBMT.
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Post by cafeta on Aug 31, 2015 16:59:00 GMT -5
I stayed at the state plaza (stateplaza.com). It was the cheapest option I found, was very close to opm and was an easy walk to the Embassy Suites where our si was. Bummer, it sounded good, but already sold out on my dates.
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Post by cafeta on Aug 31, 2015 17:03:15 GMT -5
OPM is doing it differently this time. The testees will receive the SI Admission Notice at OPM's building on the day they take the WD/LBMT. I wonder if we can read into this that the SI will also be at the OPM building. Is that a piece of intel that the first week testers can share once they find out? Or would that bring us in to the CA realm?
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