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Comment by Arwen on January 2, 2011 at 4:04pm

Chrmom, I just looked up Amtrak fares for you. You can do the train for $720 for your entire group (less if you have AAA). That way your mom can get up, move around. It's really comfortable. You would have to leave Tuesday to get there Thursday morning, but that's about the same as driving.

 

I've seen those refundable fares, they're totally rediculous. It is cheaper to simply reschedule a flight and take the penalty.

Comment by diannep on January 2, 2011 at 3:49pm

Tchrmom:  I'm in S. Florida also. My son PIRed last Feb. 

I wouldn't get refundable tickets.  Too expensive...cheaper usually to pay the "change" fee if you need to.  That is what happened to me.  My son got set back in bootcampe...already had my tickets.  He gave me a new PIR date right away, which was actually 2 weeks later than the original.  I did nothing with my tickets then...thank goodness...because he called a week later and said he was now in a new division and gave me yet another PIR date, a week earlier than the last one.  I even waited another week or so before changing.  Then...a nice surprise...the same flights were actually now CHEAPER than what I originally paid, so although each ticket had a $150 change fee, it turned out to only be $89 more per ticket.  We thought about driving too...but just too far, and my other son couldn't take the time off from work...and with inclement weather...flying was the way for us. 

 

Comment by Tchrmom Lisa on January 2, 2011 at 3:39pm

I have a question about airline tickets, if anyone knows. I am coming from South Florida, and fares seemed to be in the $300. range UNTIL I asked for "refundable" tickests, then the prices almost TRIPLED!! There may be as many as 5 of us going up and $4500. is absolutely ridiculous. How does travel insurance work? Is that the way to go to avoid the high price of refundable tickets? The thought has crossed our minds to drive, (we do a straight one day shot to NY, but not to only stay 2 days) but my 81 year old mom can't really sit in the car like that.

   Boy, I am getting an education in many of lifes arenas, simply by having my son enlist in the Navy! One thing I've learned is that the world is full of people who ARE willing to help total strangers and reach out to support. N4M is the BEST!!  

Comment by kandio(ship 3 Div 081) on January 2, 2011 at 3:23pm

Lala...id also like to know prices and such, missed a few days of chatting so if you could fill me in.  thanks

Comment by diannep on January 2, 2011 at 2:36pm

NavyMomX's: As you can tell from Arwen's post, it is doable to not have a car. In our case, we stayed out all day with our son on PIR day...in the area...and really needed a car to do that.  I too was scared of driving in the snow (South Florida girl)...but the roads were clear when we went in Feb. You can always rent a car for a day in GL if you decide you need one just for the day.

Comment by KimberelyF on January 2, 2011 at 1:45pm

Kimberelyf (Jason's Mom Ship09 Div077) We received an 8 page letter from our son giving us a daily feel of what he does.  Yes the "in your face stuff" started from landing in Chicago and hasn't stopped  but again he was expecting that too.  All done with shots and the health checks.  He says not many are getting letters.  I have folks at work that are writing so those that dont get any will at least get a letter of thanks from someone.  Our son's girlfriend was driving over to our house when she got a phone call from him, so we too got a couple mins to chat.  It was good to hear his voice.   He said it was cold up there but the clothes are very warm.

Comment by Cathy22 on January 2, 2011 at 1:11pm

Lala..can you email me  prices and what are the numbers?  The DIV?

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on January 2, 2011 at 12:40pm

I guess the info about the PIR ribbons gets lost in the pages pretty quickly because I keep getting requests to post the pics and the info. I hand make every ribbon. They ribbons are to wear to PIR and/or the meet and greet. They are a great way to show your pride, to recognize other N4m members and they make a great keepsake that can be put in a frame with your sailors picture or in a Navy Scrapbook. They are about 5 inches tall depending on the length of the name and look much better in person. If you would like more info or to order click on my name and send me a friend request. Thanks, LaLa

Comment by Purplemom (Ship 3 Div 084) on January 2, 2011 at 5:38am

Navywife31- From my understanding 084 started 1-1 last Wednesday. Another mom said her son called last Thursday about some security stuff and they had started 1-1 the day before.

Comment by Arwen on January 2, 2011 at 4:43am

There is a Metra train station one block from the RTC front gates. It goes directly to Chicago, and runs every hour to two hours. You can buy a 3-day weekend Metra pass for $7.

 

Within Chicago, there are buses, or you can walk. It's an easy walk from the Chicago train station to downtown locations such as the Sears Tower. Buses go to the Navy Pier.

 

We took a taxi from our hotel room to the front gate each morning ($6), then walked to the Metra. Then we took the train back to Great Lakes, spent some time with my son in Ricky Heaven (you have to get back early to be on time, we had an hour to spare), then took another taxi back to our hotel. It was a really fun trip, especially because I didn't have to drive an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar city. I HATE driving in cities.

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