Our PIR experiences and tips

[Heidi W.]

Hi Folks.  We were at our first PIR on January 8, 2016 and would like to share our experiences in hopes it will help out new Navy families.

We flew into O'hare on Thursday night.  The airport is big, but not too intimidating.  The person at the information desk pointed us in the right direction, and we found ourselves on a bus heading to the car rental area.  The folks at Alamo were very friendly and helpful, and we were on our way in no time at all.  Note: we didn't have any checked bags, so from landing to driving out of the parking lot took a total of about 30 to 45 minutes.  Our arrival was at 6:30pm on a Thursday, and the airport was not too busy.

Our drive was to Waukegan, and was an easy drive.  At about 7:00pm there was very little traffic, and the drive took around 45 minutes.  The toll was $1.90.  We stayed at the Courtyard Mariott in Waukegan, which was very nice and very clean.  Desk staff was friendly and full of tips and suggestions.  While checking in we put our name on the shuttle list for the ride to the PIR.  That was the best thing we did, more on that later.

For dinner that night we ate and Anastasia's, which is next door to the Courtyard.  Great food and great service.  Four of us ate, with a drink or two, for $55.

The next day we had a quick breakfast in the lobby, and were on the shuttle at about 6:30.  Tip..go on the early shuttles for the best seats at PIR.  When we saw the line of cars waiting to get in the gate, and then the shuttle van drove around all of those cars to bring us directly to the gate, we knew we made the right choice.  Total cost for the van ride is $3.00 per person each way...money well spent.  The van can hold six passengers, so there is room for your entire family, and if one van is full, there will be another one soon.

After getting through security (tip, have license ready), it's a little walk to the ceremony hall.  Plan accordingly if the weather is bad, and don't put your ID away, you'll need it again.  We were sitting down by 7:15.  When you walk in the hall, look for your recruits division sign so you'll be sitting in the right place, get your seats, and settle in.  Tip, go to the bathroom before you sit.  There were 12 divisions graduating that day, so people who arrived later had difficulties finding seats near their recruits division.

The PIR is great, and I won't give away any of their surprises, but relax...you will really enjoy this ceremony.  And following the PIR....LIBERTY!!!  After 8 weeks, you can finally hug your Navy Sailor.

Our son had to check into A school, so we left him there and went back to the Courtyard, via the same Black and Red van.  The driver was sitting near the gate when we came out.  Another friendly man, and not a scary driver either.

Lunch was at Sweet Tomatoes, all soup and salad.  Fresh salad fixings, and all you can eat.

We picked up our son at about 3:00 pm and got caught up on the last 8 weeks.  Afterwards we went to dinner at a Sushi place...not very good, and very over priced.  Oh well, the only downside to the weekend.

The sailors need to be back on base at night, so we dropped him off at about 7:00 pm with plans for breakfast the next day.  Also, they can now have cell phones on base, so you can bring your sailors phone if you want to.

Saturday...we drove to Wisconsin and had breakfast at Franks Place in Kenosha.  It is not very far from the base (about 30 minutes), and it is definitely worth the trip.  WOW....what a breakfast.  Try the garbage plates, and a bloody mary.  Incredible. Guy Fieri filmed a show for diners, drive ins, and dives there.

On the way back to the Courtyard we found a Jelly Belly plant.  Couldn't tell you exactly where, but I'm sure Google could help.

Later that day we had lunch at Portillo's for Chicago style hot dogs.  REAL cool place, and the food sure was good.

Dinner brought us back to Anastasia's.  They have an incredible deep dish pizza.  Our left over food went back to the base.  We had to have our son back on base by 10:00pm, and you can drive them directly to their ship.  Make sure you all have your ID's handy, and also the rental slip for the car.

Our return trip was incredibly easy.  It snowed Saturday night, so I figured I'd get an early start.  Traffic was light and the roads were clear.  We pulled up at Alamo, there were two employees who met us at the car, and by the time the four of us were out of the car they already had our bags on the shuttle bus for us.  The bus ride to the terminal was about 15 minutes, and TSA check in was about 30 minutes.  Total time from hotel to gate was about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but I'd suggest you plan to get there early in case your travelling at a more busy time.

NOTE: Thank you Navyformoms for all of your information.  After reading the posts by others, we were very prepared for the PIR, making our trip much more relaxing and stress free.

And...welcome to the Navy family!

[Navajosunshine39]

Hi, sounds like a successful PIR trip!  Congratulations to your son!

I attended my son's PIR on 6/6/14. The info I received here on N4M was also helpful to me, so I was thankful for that as well. The place we stayed at while we were there wasn't a good hotel like you stayed at, and that was our only down fall of our trip. I wish I had spent a little more $ on a nicer, more comfortable hotel.  

It was a memorable experience. My son will be going on his second deployment later this year. He's doing great, and is taking in the Navy life in a positive way.

Thank you for sharing, and good luck to your son on his Navy adventure.

[HFlo]

Don't forget there is a Meet and Greet on Thursday night for families who get in earlier I think it is at 6:30? Portillo's is one of our favorites and if you aren't from ChicagoLand you really should try it. Also, don't forget they can't travel too far away when on Liberty (50 mile radius, I think)

Learning lots having my son join the Navy, since my husband is a Marine <3

 

[lemonelephant]

There is info on Sarge's Meet and Greet (more info there) and the other Meet and Greets and more within PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

[NavyFamily]

This is so helpful! Especially the shuttle. Thank you for sharing!!

[NavyFiance0526]

His recruiter called it rates once and mos the other billion times we went in there

[lemonelephant]

It does not surprise me that the recruiter said "rates" instead of "ratings" since that is a common thing, although wrong.

Rate is paygrade and is the same as rank for other branches (E-1 or SR, E-2 or SA, E-3 or SN). Rating is job or occupational specialty that one has a contract for, STG for your recruit. After the Sailor completes "A" School, rate and rating go together to make the rate badge and then many simply refer to that as the rate, STGSR, STGSA, STGSN and so on, for example.

[gocougs]

This is great information!  I want to plan - and this will help me do that!  We are flying in to Milwaukee - wasn't my first choice, but the fares from WA state were much more reasonable. Worth the extra 35 minute drive.  We also got the Courtyard as a hotel.   I love seeing your review of dining as well. We are planning on coming in on Wednesday so we can play tourist for a day before the big event on 3/4.  It sounds like you were able to spend quality time with your sailor. 

Is your son in A school in Great Lakes?  Our son will be flying to Pensacola the next morning for his A School, so I'm wondering if his liberty is a little different because of that.  Again, it's me trying to plan and maximize every minute possible :).

I've been Googling Chicago Deep Dish pizza places, so it's good to know that Anastasia's is delicious.  I'm all about following where Guy Fieri stops, so that's a definite plus!!

Again, thanks for this post - it truly is helpful!

[lemonelephant]

gocougs, your Sailor will most likely fly out the day after PIR, but some (not all) going to Pensacola MAY not fly out until Sunday due to flight availability issues and you wouldn't know that until PIR.

Check your My Page.

[Navy#momSharon]

My son flew next morning to Pensacola for his A School. He was able to go with us right after graduation. We  went to Chicago -Soldier Field, Dittka's for Dinner and Navy Pier. We had to get back by 7pm. He was back by 6:40. We met him at the airport early the next morning 3:30 am to give him his cell phone and some clothes 

[F4YS]

Hi Navy#momsharon, my son has PIR on 3/4, and is also going to Pensacola for A school.  I know you mentioned that your son was able to leave with you right from graduation until about 6:30 pm.  Did your son fly out of O'Hare to go to Pensacola?  If so, do you know what airline is was with?  I am hesitant to make a return flight because I want to be with my son at the airport and have no idea which airport or time of flight it would be.  Any insight?  Thanks!  Kristin

[Navy#momSharon]

Hi Kristin,

My son flew out of O"Hare -Delta Airlines. We met him at 3:30 AM the next morning. They change times quite a bit. We flew out Sunday instead of Saturday just to make sure. 

[CryptoDad]

General Observation: Everyone's boot camp experience is different. Make a decision based upon the experience of a limited sampling of moms at your own peril. The number of Sailors flying to Pensacola is going to vary from week to week, so you may be comparing apples to oranges. A TG with lots of Airmen and CTs will find the Sailors spread out over multiple airports, airlines and flight times/days. A smaller group may find everyone flying out of the same airport before noon on Saturday.

You just won't know your Sailor's travel itinerary before PIR. Too many variables.