Preparing for PIR

[Dawn Russell]

Hi everyone,
I posted this in the forum for my daughter's PIR, but someone suggested posting it where others can see as well.
I attended PIR a month ago for my son and am about to go again for my daughter. These are some helpful hints for anyone going to PIR. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, or add your own suggestions! I hope these help you as you prepare to visit your new sailor!

Helpful Hints for PIR

1. Take your camera!
2. Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk ¼ to ½ mile to the ceremonial hall.
3. Take a Tide stick
4. Take cash to the PIR. If you want a drink or a shirt, cash only
5. Get to the base early. I recommend being there when the gates open or soon after.
6. Be sure if you take your own car, that there is nothing in it that could be confiscated. Alcohol, knitting needles, scissors, etc.
7. Take a change of clothes for your sailor to wear if they lounge in the room. Outside the room, they must wear their uniform, but they will want to be comfortable if they are relaxing.
8. Remember, they cannot take laptops or cell phones back to the barracks. If they are grad n go, you can give to them at the airport.
9. If you plan to sight see, work your way toward the base. The traffic in Chicago can be horrible. Plan to have your sailor back to base with plenty of time to say good bye and for him/her to walk back to their ship.
10. If you plan to shop, Gurnee Mill Mall is great! Not too far from base.
11. Take them some goodies! Remember, they haven’t had sweets in 8 weeks! I took my son peanut M&Ms
12. Look online at what all there is to do before you go. You may be able to get discount tickets. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (they have the only U-Boat in the US). If you want to go on any of the tours for the museum, you really need to reserve a spot beforehand.
13. As you are getting close to the base, there are three lanes. Stay in the middle lane. The right lane will end before you get to the base and it is hard to move over. The only time I had a problem with traffic to base was going to PIR. All other times, there was no problem.
14. Be sure to take change with you if you will drive in the area. There are toll roads. The tolls I paid varied from .50 to 1.00. If you get in the wrong lane and can't pay, or don't have any cash, don't worry. You can actually not pay twice without getting a ticket. Also, you can go online and pay the tolls you missed within a week.

[Tina]

Also...I would recommend that if you are going into Chicago...use the Metra..its $5.00 and that covers both Sat. & Sunday all day no matter how much you ride. There is also once you get into the city a free trolley...this saves a bundle on parking and nerves when driving in that city.

[Dawn Russell]

Is the Metra the train that will take you from GL to Chicago or is that the subway? I really want to ride that, too! Fun!

[One,Two,Three]

Dawn hi I live in chicago. The metra is just a regular train. It will take you into Olgilvie Station down town. Ask for the WEEKEND pass when traveling downtown on Sat or Sun. It cost $5.00 per person thats is unlimited riding all weekend. You will get on the train in Waukegan IL.Here's the link for train schedules
http://www.metrarail.com/

[NavyMom/Wife * Bretton's Mom*]

Hi, I was going to print out some maps but am having a hard time finding any... where is the best place to look? also, I wanted to print out the metro schedule. Do you know which station is by the base?

Thanks, Michele

[shan]

Hi, I've tried several map sites, but found that this one is best.I like it because of the easy mobility of the map and zoom in tab for all the streets.I read that there was a
Metra train nearby also.Go to http://www.yellowpages.com/maps .

[Marianne Green]

I have the address for Navy Lodge as 2500 Meridian Drive, Great Lakes, IL

[Stephanie Pearce]

Dawn,

Thanks so much for the information! My sons PIR is 9/19 so I can really use this to help get around and be better prepared!

[RhinoNucsMom(Sally)]

Thank you to Dawn, Debbi1 and Tina, PIR is coming up and it is nice to know what to expect and any helpful hints. Appreciate all the advice Sally

[Christie U]

Hi all,
My son PIR'd 8/29. We had an inexpensive GPS and it was a lifesaver! He wanted Chinese food as soon as we left the base and it found it for us. That and everything else we wanted to do. We never got lost and it pretty accurately estimated how long it would take to get back to base. I purchased 6 flags tickets, but he would have been happy doing something quieter I think. It may have been alot after BC! Do, do, do, do take the Tide Pen!!!! I read that here and we used it before we even left the PIR hall. Most of all-enjoy the time with your Sailor-it is unbeliveable, a true blessing.

[Michelle-Trent's mom]

I'm curious why you need a tide pen? Are we expected to be extra clumsy and spill something on our clothing? I don't get it.

[Lonna]

The sailors will be in their whites, you know how white gets dirty, just by looking at it will get it dirty.LOL

[dyeshome]

do they have to wear their whites the whole time