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Comment by diannep on February 17, 2014 at 5:15pm

Natalia:  The gates open at 6:30 a.m.   The PIR Hall opens at 7 a.m.---but remember, you have to allow time to get through security so you probably wouldn't be at PIR Hall before 7 a.m.  You have to start out early when driving.  There will be a long car line headed to RTC starting around 6 a.m. or so.  However, there is a hint to avoid this.  Here it is:

Again, leave around 6:20 a.m. or so.....stay to the left on Buckley Rd (main road that takes you to RTC).  You will see the car line on your right.  Go past RTC...right past RTC, you will be able to turn around and go back towards RTC from the opposite direction.  It is then an easy left turn into RTC....no line.  The PIR 02/07 group had a post from a lady who said that was one of the best pieces of advice she got and it worked great! 

Comment by CatMom509 on February 17, 2014 at 4:26pm

Natalia,

You should leave your hotel about 6:15 am and a shortcut is to drive to the left of the line of cars on Buckley Rd waiting to turn right into the gate, go past the gate entrance, go to the train station just beyond, turn around to come back then signal to turn left to go into the RTC gate!  Just wait there if the gate is not open yet until they are taking the cars in.

Comment by CatMom509 on February 17, 2014 at 4:20pm

Good Morning!

     "Be happy with those who are happy,

      and weep with those who weep."

                                       Romans 12:15

Comment by CatMom509 on February 17, 2014 at 4:18pm

aznavymom44,

I definitely agree with ellen0502, rent a car is the best way to go, especially when your consider driving to either O'Hare or Midway to see your SR off and if your SR will be training at the Great Lakes A school, you will want your own wheels to get around~~  I did leave my rental car at the hotel and took Sarge's shuttle to PIR for $3 each person each way.  It was easier for us to be dropped off at the gate and walk 50 yards to the graduation hall entrance~~

You might want to email JohnSpadaro@att.net to see what his prices are now with the different roundtrips involved.

Comment by ellen0502 on February 17, 2014 at 3:17pm

The shuttle/taxi to the Navy Lodge will cost you approx $90, so yes cheaper to get a car at the airport. :)

We rented at the airport and had no problem driving anywhere. I do recommend you use the epass that comes with most rentals it is great for the toll roads. You do have to pay for it, and toll roads can be avoided, but we found the toll road to GL to be the best. m

Comment by aznavymom44 on February 17, 2014 at 2:43pm

To the veteran moms out there, or anyone from Chicago area: we can rent a car from Enterprise at O'Hare for about $140.00  for 3 days.  That seems cheaper to me than taking a shuttle to Navy Lodge, then getting a car there?  Does anyone have any idea if it a good idea or not to rent the car from Airport area?  Is the drive fairly easy to Great Lakes.  We are going on Apr 3rd, so I am assuming the snow will be melted by then.  Just trying to go the cheapest, and easiest route. thanks!

Comment by Natalia on February 17, 2014 at 12:01pm

Thank you. I have thought about Navy Lodge. And if we will rent a car what time we should be at base gate? It will be huge line?

Comment by caolila on February 17, 2014 at 12:00pm

diannep - I will do that in future - just send a few at a time.  She complained she had a really deep blister on her right foot, and that whatever she can get there keeps coming off.  She said she can't wear two pairs of socks either as her boots don't fit that way.   It's OK, it will toughen her, and she's had plenty of blisters before...

Comment by diannep on February 17, 2014 at 11:56am

caolila:  If she had taken bandaids with her to RTC, unless she had some tucked into her wallet which she is allowed to keep, they probably would have taken them from her.  But she can buy them at the NEX with her Recruit Debit Card anyway.  No worries that you sent them....I'm sure she appreciated it.  Some ladies just tuck 3 or 4 in each letter they send...so as not to make the letters thick, which would necessitate them to be opened in front of the RDCs.They are allowed bandaids, but may take some ribbing for them being sent so they want to go under the radar!

Comment by diannep on February 17, 2014 at 11:54am

Natalia:  I thought maybe Navy Lodge would be for you, but don't know about a restaurant there?  If you book Springhill Suites or Courtyard Inn, there are restaurants in them and in the area since they are in a large shopping center (Walmart).  You can book the shuttle to PIR through Sarge, who goes to most of the hotels in the area....he also have shuttle service to/from the airports.  Be sure and ask for the Navy Grad rate at the hotels...call the hotel directly to ask for this. 

Sarge:  847 212 0246   or email:  johnspadaro@att.net

He has a MeetandGreet that night before PIR also for the families of the sailors....free to you (he accepts donations though), dinner, lots of info.....you can sign up for his shuttle to PIR at the MeetandGreet if you like.

I wouldn't worry about it, caolila.  I agree with what ellen said below. 

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