Planning PIR trip

[long linguine legs mom]

Hello this is my first post to this so please forgive me if I seem confused.  Our son is graduating on December 21st.  Not exactly the best timing!  We received the brochures but I wanted to know if there is any other information besides this.  It seems that you are pretty much on your own to figure things out. Since it is right at x-mas we really dont want to rent a car to save $$ but is that possible to get around without rental car?  Is there any packages available?  We woundn't miss this for the world, but really have to do on the cheap because of time of year. Does the Navy have anything for parents to do before the PIR or after?

 

If any of the moms could give advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Maria]

My son graduates also on December 21st and I am hoping to get some information about PIR as well.  I received the information on Monday and I was planning on making my hotel reservations now before they fill up.  I wanted to know if I will get to spend time with him after graduation.  His A school in Mississippi.

[Riverlady ship 13 div 181]

There are meet and greets at places the night before. The boot camp forums would have info on that. I can tell you that I flew in and was picked up at O'Hare by family who rented a car. But they took shuttles to the PIR from their hotels. We stayed at the Red Carpet inn and it was a great value. A nice and clean place, not far from the base and they offered a shuttle. On Sunday we took the metra link near the base to Chicago and walked a couple of blocks then took water taxi's to Navy Pier, hung out there for a while, then took another one to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. Great way to see the sights. Took the metra back and had time for dinner before having to get our sailor back to base. It was nice to have the rental car for store runs and such but you could probably get by without one.

[BarbG]

I'm going to be at the Red Carpet Inn for PIR 12/21/12.  Were you able to get to any of the Meet and Greets from there?  I won't have a car rental.  I love the value at this hotel as well, and the person who took my reservation was very nice and polite.

[marysuemcc]

i have pretty much the same questions
my son also has PIR 12/21/12

[marysuemcc]

my son will be at GL for A school also if anyone else in the same "boat" (no pun).........
son's PIR : 12/21/12
any info re; leave etc would be appreciated..........
i feel very confused and "ignorant" right now !!!
thank you for "listening"

[cscharmed4aeryk]

I have no real info only what I have been able to research.... My son is also Dec 21 I have found that in years past they were granted leave until Jan 2 or so if staying in GL. We r planing on bringing our son home if this is true we live in Michigan about 4 hrs away so easy for us

[TaylorsMOM]

My son is graduates on the 21st also and is staying for A school in GL. I called his recruiter a week ago Saturday and ask him about Chisitmas break and have not yet heard back from him. From what I've been reading on this site, I don't think there's been any decisions made yet as to when the break is. I do know that the recruiter said that everything is usually closed for at least a week during the holidays. Just wish I (we planners!) had some idea as to what was going on. :-)

[long linguine legs mom]

I called the Itt phone number that is on the top right inside corner of the brochure. Basically we are on our own. She did email me a price sheet of activities (tours, shuttles). Shuttle prices from airport are $44.00 one way per couple. I can't remember single prices. I'm sorry. Our sons A school is also in GL so I don't know if we will see him after graduation. I do remember the recruiter telling me that everything shuts down for ten days to a week so hoping hell be home for Christmas. Ladies we should set up our own meet and greet for the 12/21 class . It would be nice to know people that are going through the same thing. I hope this helps.

[Maria]

My son's PIR is also 12/21 and I have the same questions as everyone else does but would also like to know if my son's A school is in Mississippi, will he have time to spend with us after PIR or will he have to go straight to school.  I hope he does come home for the holidays.

Maria

[marysuemcc]

sounds wonderful !!!!

[A Proud Navy Mom]

Hi,

My son just graduated last week and would like to offer some advice.  We stayed at the Navy Lodge which is the closest to the base.  It costs $65 per night including tax plus they have a light continental breakfast each morning.  The location is great because when your son is on liberty and has to get back to the base, every minute is like gold.  The closer you are, the more time you have with him/her.  It is a basic, very clean hotel (they are currently remodeling all the rooms), and the staff is great.  About a mile from the Navy Lodge is a huge NEX.  Do not waste your time at the one on base.  Very small and crowded.  Wait for your sailor in the museum.  Also, sit up high (on the second floor) to view PIR.  We made the mistake of sitting directly in front of my son's division which was the last division to march in.  We could not see any of the performances that took place in the center of the hall and we could not see my son.  If we sat up high, like they recommend, and more towards the middle, we would have seen everything.  Now, I have to wait for the DVD to some in.  They do have a consession stand at PIR offereing, coffee, soda, water and some snacks.  It is taken down just before PIR starts.  December will be very cold.  We froze waiting for the doors to open.  Dress warmly!!

 

We used Sarge's Shuttle Service.  He also does the Meet & Greet on Thursday night prior to PIR.  He is FABULOUS and the cheapest around.  We flew into Midway because that was the cheapest flight we could get.  His driver was right there waiting for us.  The cost of $150 included round trip transportation to and from the airport, transportation to and from the Meet and Greet, and transportation to and from PIR (also took our sailor).  We did not have the hassles of waiting in very long lines waiting to get through the gates with a car.  We were always dropped off right at the gate and picked up at the closest exit.  I would not do it any other way.  Sarge not only checked in with me but also followed up to make sure everything was ok.  We did rent a car to get to restaurants, the NEX, and train station.  We got an excellent deal through Enterprise which was less than 2 miles from the Navy Lodge.  They came and picked us up at the lodge to get our car for free.  We arrived on Thursday and left on Monday . . .made a mini vacation out of it plus we did not know when our son would be shipped out.  Thank God we did because he ended up leaving 6:30 am on Sunday morning.  The car came in very handy because we drove at 3 am back to Midway to give him his cell phone.  While on liberty, we utilized the Metra train station which is next to the entrance gate for the base.  An all you can ride weekend ticket can be purchased on the train for $7.  It was wonderful and many sailors use it.  It's pretty cool too as it is a double decker train.  It took 1 hour to get to downtown Chicago . . last stop Olgilvie station.  We made the mistake of wasting precious time waiting for the bus to take us to Navy Pier.  Take a cab!  It was even cheaper than the bus and got us back in half the time it took waiting for the bus.  Navy Pier is great . . .many restaurants, shops, a stained glass museum, etc. and there is a USO room for you to go to to grab a snack/drink and relax.  After my son left on Sunday, we returned our car at Midway and took the train to downtown Chicago ($2.25).  At our train stop, we had a bus tour pick us up for a 5-1/2 hour tour of Chicago.  It was the best thing we could have done.  Had a crash course on Chicago.  It is a very clean and beautiful city!   Can't wait to go back and spend more time there.  After eating at Giordano's for their famous deep dish pizza, we took a cab back to Oligilvie train station and took the train back to Great Lakes.   In the morning, Sarge was there at the lodge to take us back to Midway for our flight home. 

In a nutshell, stay at the Navy Lodge, use Sarge for shuttle service, and if time allows, visit Chicago via train.  If your sailor just wants to crash in your room, bring him/her their favorite pair of sweats to change into.  When they are in the room, they don't have to be in uniform . .  only when they are out in public.  Navy Lodge has many menus from restaurants that deliver right to the lodge.  There are some restaurants that will give your sailor a free meal if you eat there.  There is a diner called the Full Moon Diner approx. 2 miles from lodge.  Open 24/7.  Had the best bacon/egg/cheese croissant there.  Reasonable and fast.   

 

When it comes time to return your sailor to base, give yourself enough time!!!!!   If he/she has to be back at 8 pm, better leave at 7 pm.  There was a long line of cars waiting to get to the gate to drop their sailor off.  We never expected this.  We left at 7:15 pm and waited in line for 10 minutes before my son jumped out of the car and ran the two blocks to the gate.  From the gate, it took him another 20 minutes to get to his ship.  THEY CANNOT BE LATE!  He made it but boy was it nerve wracking.  The lines are worse on Friday night.  Saturday night was not as bad.

 

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to make sure you didn't make the same mistakes I did.  You will have an amazing time.  PIR is awesome!   You will not believe the change in your sailor . . .mine went in as a boy and came out a young man.  Have a wonderful time :)

 

[NavyMomMary]

Thank you so much for this info!    I have a question though.  We are driving so will have our car.  Is it best to take the shuttle in to the base for graduation to save time?   I mean, does it take him less time to get in than it would us in our vehicle?   Thank you for any help!