Question regarding Hotel stay for PIR for SR who is leaving to San Antonio next day

[Momof3]

Hi There

I have a General question regarding Hotel stay.  I booked a Hotel near GL base for graduation.  If my daughter is leaving the next day for San Antonio, should we change our hotel to be near the airport so that we can try and meet her the morning that she leaves?  Is that what most people do?  What are the chances for us to be with her at the airport in the am?  I know it may be very early from what I have read.. Any advice would be appreciated 

Thank you

[Marisa]

Congratulations! I hope so too. Thanks

[Catherine]

Wendy M and Shannon's Mom, I ended up booking near O'Hare for the 18th so we can see our Sailor off to San Antonio on the 19th.  I think it will be easier, especially in winter traffic and well...being Chicago.  

[sdkim4life]

So my question...because I'm in the same boat...where will u be all day Friday? Near the airport? I was thinking hang out at hotel near RTC Friday...but will the hotel let us? and when they go back that night I would go to a place near the airport. I'm probably overthinking. Sigh

[Shannon's Mom]

I thought they flew out the next morning?! I booked my return flight for late afternoon on the 26th....

[lemonelephant]

Shannon's Mom, most Sailors who fly out will fly out the day after PIR. Some early in the morning and some not until Saturday evening, but they all arrive at the airport sometime before 6 am, so you will be able to spend time with your Sailor at the airport before you both fly out even if he ends up flying out after your flight.

There are times that there are flight availability issues that cause some Sailors will fly out on Sunday instead, most often for some who fly to Pensacola due to the large number of Sailors who fly there, but occasionally for a few who are flying to another location. That is such a rare event that you should be fine with flying out late in the afternoon on the 26th.

See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend. 

[Shannon's Mom]

Thank you. Will my SR have any flight info/itinerary before PIR?  She called yesterday but I forgot to ask.  She said she may be able to call 1 more time the week before PIR. Also can they receive anything yet? I saw moms in my PIR group  who are mailing packages with makeup...?

[lemonelephant]

Shannon's Mom, she will receive that info sometime in the week before PIR. Some know when making the "I'm a Sailor!" call, but most do not and some do not receive that info until the morning of PIR. Send her an index card to write down the info to give you after PIR. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

Send makeup for pics and PIR to arrive  around week 4 DOT. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

What division is she in?

[lemonelephant]

sdkim4life, yes, hanging out at a hotel near the RTC will allow you to spend time with your new Sailor and reduce the chances of returning him late. Your Sailor will know when he must muster at the end of Liberty and you need to return him about 30 minutes before that so that he has plenty of time to get back to his compartment. You can then get a little rest and then leave (check out if you are leaving Saturday and have your own vehicle or will be flying from the same airport as your Sailor on Saturday) and head to the airport in time to meet your Sailor at the time he says to meet him.

There are some who do check out and take their Sailor out to lunch and then go together and check into a hotel near O'Hare and then take the Sailor back to RTC to muster that evening and then go back to the new hotel. That would be stressful to me, but some have done it and some have had their Sailor fly out of Midway instead of O'Hare and changed the hotel after getting that info.

If you are leaving or flying out on Sunday, then you can book a hotel for Saturday night that is closer to the airport you will be flying from and you can leave your luggage there on your way to the airport to see your Sailor off and give him a few things. Hotels have a room where you can leave luggage until you check in.

Most hotels will not allow you to stay Friday afternoon/evening without paying for the night.

[LSU~Navy~Mom]

I was wondering how to use Sarge's shuttle service to the airport on Sat. 2/8/19 after graduation.  I'm scheduling our flights home for late Sat. afternoon from Midway, so that we can meet our son at whatever airport he will be leaving from.  If he flies out of O'Hare to Pensacola in the morning, I'm guessing we just schedule our Sarge's shuttle for that trip.  What arrangements can be made to go from O'Hare to Midway - if we have to deal with two airports that day?  Is there a train that connects both airports (wishful thinking)? Or will we have to take an Uber or several trains?  Trying to figure out the most cost effective travel arrangements for whatever scenario we will face on that Saturday.  Any suggestions? Thanks!