Comment

Comment by Sailor's Sweetheart on July 18, 2010 at 3:51pm

Also, does anyone know anything about the Metra from O'Hare? I am from a small town and have never used any type of public train/bussing system. I have not idea what "metra" even is. Is it a buss or a train... or a trolly??? I probably sound rediculous but I am seriously clueless when it comes to this, haha! I have been reading that it is cheeper to rent a car when you do not rent it at the actual airport so I was thinking that if I take the metra from the airport to the rental car location I could then drive the car to Great Lakes and then return the car to the non airport location and then take the metra back to the airport (also, then I wont have ot worry about trying to find my way around the airport driving system). I just have no idea how to even find out how much the metra is or where it stops near the airport (does the metra have a phone number or do I call the O'Hare Airport to get ahold of the metra?) or how to find out if there will be a car rental company where the metra will take me outside the airport.
I know this is all very "lost and confused" but any help or guidance would be appreciated, thanks!

Comment by Sailor's Sweetheart on July 18, 2010 at 3:39pm

I made my reservation at the Navy Lodge - does anyone have any good or bad feedback on them? I chose it because it is supposedly about 1.5 miles from RTC and I plan to drive to PIR but other than that I just really like the $65 a night/no tax price. Thoughts?

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 18, 2010 at 12:48pm

Here's some motel suggestions from a seasoned mom who has been to PIR twice!

The Candlewood Suites is about three miles from RTC and across the street from SuperWalmart. Full size kitchen stocked with all the plates cookware frig, micro, etc. for $74.00 a night.
The La Quinta Inn & Suites is down the street from the Gurnee Mall. (They all want to go there and walk around after lunch and PIR) It is about 15 minutes from RTC and you can walk to Outback, Olive Garden and Joe's Crab Shack from the hotel. Room there are $78.00. Both hotels are very nice for the $$$.

Here's my own experience: My husband, my son's GF and I stayed at the Ramada Inn. It's closer to RTC but not far from the Gurnee Mills Mall either. I booked the business class room - it's slightly larger, which was good - but their bathrooms are small and no counter space (typical in older motels). Staff was wonderful, they cater to Navy families. Free shuttle to PIR (but we drove), free internet, free b-fast and they have an indoor pool too.

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 17, 2010 at 11:39pm

JD's Angel - If he is not a G&G, I believe his liberty is over on Sunday night, so you wouldn't be able to see him on Monday. DIANNEP, do you know? If you fly out Monday morning, you'd have more time with him on Sunday, and flights are often cheaper on a Monday than a Sunday.

Naveemom2: Come join our Grad & Go Info group, lots of info on the perks of this often gloomy news! You'll probably want to stay in GL area until Sunday, because you will be exhausted - and the Navy changes it mind often, you would kick yourself if you booked a flight home on Saturday and then learned he doesn't leave til Sunday or later! Click on the link (blue underlined words) to get to that group.

Comment by JDs~Angel~ (RCU) on July 17, 2010 at 10:30pm

Ok, going to work on my reservations for lodging tomorrow. Since I'm fairly sure his brother is coming up, i'm going with homewood or residence in since they have a "suite" with a closing bedroom door for about the same as others. Thing is, do I check out the 22nd or the 23rd. Does anyone know, if my Sailor is not G&G, will he have liberty on that Monday or will he pretty much be going to A-School (Mississippi) that morning? Or will this be something he'll find out as we get closer to graduation?

Comment by diannep on July 17, 2010 at 10:03pm

jkelley: Yes, I bet you are right...he will get a bunch of letters from you at once, which they really love! Makes them feel VERY LOVED!

Ok, so SOBE had a great experience driving to PIR. And we had a great experience taking the shuttle from Residence Inn. So I say...do whatever you like! But whatever you choose, LEAVE EARLY! That I cannot stress enough...take your breakfast with you if you like. Eat it in the bleachers....but just get there by 7 if at all possible.

Comment by diannep on July 17, 2010 at 9:59pm

Hi, Naveemom2: Looks like you found the right wall! Yeah! RPOC (they pronounce is R-pock) .. is the leader of the recruits...in charge of them when the RDC's go home or are not right there with them, so they have some POWER. I could see why he wanted that one! Wow, fun on the restricted liberty...maybe he means that they go first on BattleStations (Thurs night a week before PIR) and therefore are sailors a week before PIR. That is what my son did. They couldn't leave base, but had more "free time" during that last week. Sounds like he is doing great! That is so good.

Comment by Naveemom2AlexShip7Div281 on July 17, 2010 at 8:22pm

Hi everyone! I'm lost about posting on which wall. So, I'm not sure where I keep posting - LOL! We received the 3 week call yesterday afternoon and I was sooo happy! We had already received 3 letters from my son prior. He sounded so different, a good different. He said the food is still good. He was tired after the swim test, he almost didn't make it he said because he was tired, but he finished it. He has a job, a dental yeoman. He said that he tried to get RCPO, or something like that. I think it is division petty officer, but said it had to be a female. Oh well. He said they will finish a week early and will have restricted liberty until graduation. He said he will write again on Sunday. Oh, he said he started going to church and was nice. I'm glad he is doing well. My mind is at ease. My son is a Grad and Go and has to leave early Sat morning heading to Pensacola. I'll be writing some letters to him over the weekend. I love this board. Looking forward to sharing info with you all!

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 17, 2010 at 4:46pm

Driving to PIR was a snap for us, we got there just after 6:30 am, only 10 cars ahead of us. The car inspections are random, we were waved through - but others I talked to said it only took them 10 mins to inspect their car. If you are driving your own car, clean it out before you leave motel - less for them to go to. And bring a towel from motel for your recruit to sit on when you drive off with them - everything attaches to those Navy Dress Whites! That goes for rental cars too, you never know how clean they really are. Sailor'sSweetheart is correct, with only 5 divisions, driving will be even easier for this group. Print and take 3 copies of the parking/gate pass with you - regardless if you drive or not, because you'll need it to return your sailor to RTC that evening, then to pick them up and drop off on Sat & Sun.

Navy Lodge does not provide shuttle service. Any lodge located on a base is usually not available for families of recruits graduating - it's for the families of those who are stationed or in school at Great Lakes (the big base across the street), but please double check - this is second hand info!

Ramada has a shuttle, that's where we stayed. But the shuttle leaves at 7am, and then doesn't pick you up until 11:30am. Liberty Call starts at 10:35 am - most new sailors walk back to their barracks to retreive their portraits and Navy swimwear, that takes them about 20-30 minutes. I liked driving because I had control of my time - especially since my son was a Grad & Go and I didn't want to waste one minute waiting for a shuttle!

Comment by jkelley/Ship06 Div940 on July 17, 2010 at 4:25pm

Diannep: Thanks for all the great info on Battlestations at least we KNOW we will get a call then. Have gotten 2 letters, says he got letters from his GrandParents and our next door neighbor, but none from me. I have sent 10-12 of them, I am sure it is just timing and he will get a bunch all at one time.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 51
• 52
• 53
• 54
• 55
• …
• 74
• Next ›
• Page