Of all the luck-I HAVE to go to training

[Belle1962]

By a fluke of magic I am required to take a training class for work. It is a computer class and the GSA approved vendor we use does not offer training on the version we use in my area (Atlanta).

SO, I go to their website, pull about a dozen cities they do offer the class in, create a spreadsheet and list only the airfare and perdiem/hotel costs and sort by cheapest. I knock off anything over $1,000. leaves about 6 cities on the list. Guess where the cheapest is?

ORLANDO Not sure how that worked out---

My Team lead thinks there's something suspicious going on She has been giving me nothing but grief since then even though our Director (her boss) has approved me going--cheapest is cheapest regardless of the fact that I am a Disney fan. If I don't attend the class and try to skip to go to the parks: 1--I won't get the certificate and 2--it will be very obvious, very fast when I begin working in this system 3--I have NEVER in over 20 years with the Govt ever "skipped out" on a training class! and I am slighly offended that she thinks I would--like I'm a Disney "crack" addict!!!!! I have offerred to go to a different city if that will "keep the peace" in the office but the Director says NO, if the figures justify Orlando then that's it. My Team lead has been a witch for over a week about this and I even took the whole day today off to just be out of the office (I only work 1/2 days on Wed because that is my DGS therapy day). My Team lead doesn't know yet, but because of my back and neck problems and other issues I have a medical approval on file with the travel office to fly business class (which I have rarely used but it is on file in case I need to. As long as I have an aisle seat and am close to the front of the plane I am usually ok on shorter flights). I actually prefer to drive but it is cheaper for the govt for me to fly so I won't even ask for approval to drive.

And there's a part 2/Level 2 to this class. I have to take that class in September (during free dining) Now, the free dining deal actually SAVES money because the room & meal price at Disney is actually cheaper than a hotel and per diem charge offsite. I can't wait to see how that travel order works it way through the approval process. I am sure I will be told to stay offsite and charge the govt more $$$$ for my trip to avoid the perception that the govt is paying for a "vacation". Which I understand.

But who cares---I'm going to spend a few evenings at Disney World, by myself,for some nice quiet "me" time. I want to tape Fantasmic while there because it is my DGS favorite and now that he's starting school in the fall we will have longer time between trips, but that is my only personal "goal" while I am there.

I can't wait!!!!!!!!

 

[Michigan]

You can stay at Swan or Dolphin because they offer Government rates. I too work for the Government and the new way is cheapest wins so you manager really can't say anything.

I don't know which agency you work for but you do know that the new standard is the day before training is a travel day and so is the day after. So that gives you a whole day there before if you get an early flight out.

Have fun.

 

[Belle1962]

Thanks, Michigan: The GSA hotel rate for Orlando/Orange County is $83.00 M&IE is $49. The S & D rate is your all inclusive rate...you are basically using all of your PD for the room only. Meals would be OOP.

Yes--I love that the day before and day after are travel days---and they now have to give credit/comp time for any time outside your normal TOD--which Sunday is. (When I think of all of the years I have traveled on Sundays, holiday, at night after work, etc that I could have been earning time for if this rule was in place then..yikes!!!) If I couldn't exchange my ticket (which my agency allows) so that I fly out Friday, I would be on the first flight Sunday morning! For the day after--our reg is you have to take the earliest flight back the following day WITHIN your TOD time. If it allows you to get to work, you are supposed to go in. Also--she is panting over the rental car. My agency is very strict on rental cars and would prefer you take taxis--I had to do the cost analysis to show them a rental car is cheaper----I think orlando worked out cheaper because it is a tourist destination and more companies are vying for your business.

The training is in an area 'Maitland" that I don't think is really all that close to WDW but I'll see when I get there. They told me I would be better off getting a hotel in Altamonte trafficwise. But I'll deal with traffic to stay close to WDW for my evening jaunts.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Maitland is Exit 90. Altamonte Springs is Exit 92. Epcot Center Drive is Exit 67. Note that to get between WDW and your training location you will have to be on I-4 going through the Downtown Olrlando area, which can be very crowded, especially during rush hours.

 

[Belle1962]

Thank you very much Cheshire Figment. Those exit numbers really help. I hate rush hour traffic!!!! And it sounds like I'd be in the worse of it!! DOWNTOWN? (shudder) I could take some traffic but it sounds like it would probably take an hour (if it's about 20+4 exits away). I guess I will stay local Fri - Sun evening and then move up I4 for my training. If I try to make it back to WDW in the evenings (after 7:00) would traffic be ok? Although they told me they are close to "the mall"--but I didn't stop to ask which mall. LOL.