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Post by judicature on May 7, 2008 21:57:27 GMT -5
Just curious about how it is going in Baltimore.  Anything to report? |
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Post by southerner on May 8, 2008 7:33:04 GMT -5
30-minute bus rides to and from Rockville. No laptops allowed in training sessions.
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Post by aljhunter on May 8, 2008 8:23:57 GMT -5
Why bus rides from Rockville? Did you mean downtown Baltimore? No laptops in training? That's why folks aren't posting--they have to pay attention!
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Post by southerner on May 8, 2008 11:19:51 GMT -5
No, I meant Rockville.
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Post by odarite on May 8, 2008 11:32:09 GMT -5
Where are they putting the class up? What hotel? I agree with aljhunter, I thought they were going to put people up near Inner Harbor.
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Post by morgullord on May 8, 2008 11:41:27 GMT -5
Actually they are being housed at Fort Detrick where US Army Medical Command stores its Ebola samples.
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Post by workdrone on May 8, 2008 11:52:05 GMT -5
Actually they are being housed at Fort Detrick where US Army Medical Command stores its Ebola samples. Are we talking about this Fort Detrick? Nice.  Drone |
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Post by lostagain on May 8, 2008 12:03:00 GMT -5
Actually they are being housed at Fort Detrick where US Army Medical Command stores its Ebola samples. Lured them in by say that they would be housed "at Camp David" and then changed it to "near Camp David." Shout out to the cable dogs of the 301st Sig. Co., Det. 1. |
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Post by doctorwho on May 8, 2008 13:40:56 GMT -5
It is interesting, though, people aren't posting, are they?
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Post by morgullord on May 8, 2008 13:42:19 GMT -5
None of them will post until their cerebral implants are fully operational
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Post by jagghagg on May 8, 2008 13:54:23 GMT -5
It is interesting, though, people aren't posting, are they? Well, you know, they're gone now. They have the job, they have joined a different circle of colleagues.....( like you will, soon, Doc!  ) It's like they are off to college and we are the parents back at home. We are in the same routine: shopping, cleaning, dinner on TV trays while watching the nightly news, while they are meeting new people, learning new things, spreading their wings. And we sit at home and sigh and say, "They don't write; they don't call......" [  ] Of COURSE they are not going to be posting here! Heck, very few of them probably have the TIME to be looking here. They are BUSY being students....and more power to them, say wot ? |
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Post by southerner on May 8, 2008 14:09:37 GMT -5
One of my colleagues informed me that they are indeed staying at the Inner Harbor Residence Inn, but the training is in Rockville. I suspect that is due to new ALJs' need to use computer to view electronic folders. The bus ride, I hear, is pleasant enough.
I will find out for myself in July as I am in the third class.
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Post by nonamouse on May 8, 2008 14:11:05 GMT -5
I have heard from someone in Baltimore in the 1st class, but I didn't think that anyone wanted to hear about how much fun he is having with his new ALJ buddies. He is at an office that got multiple new hires.
They were excited to get badges. A number of people are checking out the local eating establishments for seafood not readily available in other parts of the US at those prices. Some folks were planning to check out the baseball, but I have not heard if they actually went to a game. You know, nothing to do with the training at all.
Especially for people who have worked for ODAR already, I suspect that a lot of the training is just a review of things that they are familiar with from their past work. Efiles, commonly used computer programs, SSA mainframe, quirky ODAR software, just a rehash. We will probably hear more from the 1st class once they return to their offices and get settle in a bit.
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Post by privateatty on May 8, 2008 14:52:44 GMT -5
It is interesting, though, people aren't posting, are they? Well, you know, they're gone now. They have the job, they have joined a different circle of colleagues.....( like you will, soon, Doc! ) It's like they are off to college and we are the parents back at home. We are in the same routine: shopping, cleaning, dinner on TV trys while watching the nightly news, while they are meeting new people, learning new things, spreading their wings. And we sit at home and sigh and say, "They don't write; they don't call......" [ ] Of COURSE they are not going to be posting here! Heck, very few of them probably have the TIME to be looking here. They are BUSY being students....and more power to them, say wot ? Couldn't have put it better, 'hagg. God bless 'em. |
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Post by doctorwho on May 8, 2008 15:51:39 GMT -5
What's with the no-laptop edict? Anybody know?
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Post by globalpanda on May 8, 2008 19:26:34 GMT -5
It is a security issue. You are not allowed to bring any hardware from home, including laptops and flashdrives, that could be connected to SSA's computers. The administration is extraordinarily sensitive to securing what they call PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and to general computer security issues.
They are serious enough about this that failure to comply with directives, or willful violation of directives can result in progressive disciplinary actions.
This issue has really hit the front burner after those fools over at VA lost a laptop. The administration even went so far as to "secure" SSA owned laptops in many FO's.
Of course, things may be slightly more relaxed when you get to your home office. But not much.
And god help the fool who loses PII and it makes it into the press.
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Post by morgullord on May 8, 2008 20:23:15 GMT -5
I was among those whose information was compromised by the VA idiot.
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Post by justfoundthisboard on May 8, 2008 21:08:24 GMT -5
Are you all really serious about the training being in Rockville? This is huge for me - I live very near Rockville, and it will affect my family situation and the sale of my home if that's where the classes are being held. I'm in the July class. Thanks for any info you can provide.
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Post by okeydokey on May 8, 2008 22:03:16 GMT -5
Inquiring minds want to know:
Do they sing "100 bottles of beer on the wall" to/from Rockville? Or my favorite, "Jon Jangle Jingle Heimer Schmitt"?
If note, where is the esprit de corps. One would think "Everywhere we go" would be a top 10 for the ALJs.
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Post by odarite on May 8, 2008 22:34:53 GMT -5
Are you all really serious about the training being in Rockville? This is huge for me - I live very near Rockville, and it will affect my family situation and the sale of my home if that's where the classes are being held. I'm in the July class. Thanks for any info you can provide. Don't know the facts, but the issue for you is, is the agency planning to put you up at the hotel in Baltimore yes or no. That is the real issue. I assume you are being sent to an office that is absolutely elsewhere. If you don't know re: the hotel you need to call and ask. Now would be an appropriate time. |
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) It's like they are off to college and we are the parents back at home. We are in the same routine: shopping, cleaning, dinner on TV trays while watching the nightly news, while they are meeting new people, learning new things, spreading their wings. And we sit at home and sigh and say, "They don't write; they don't call......" [ 
] Of COURSE they are not going to be posting here! Heck, very few of them probably have the TIME to be looking here. They are BUSY being students....and more power to them, say wot ?
