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Comment by tatmom4rc(Ship12, Div. 204) on July 4, 2012 at 7:00pm

diannep - you are correct about the concern of missing a flight we specifically did not go into Chicago or did anything "touristy" once we picked him up from the airport to ensure that he would not miss his plane.  It just didn't seem right that he couldn't go into the USO, or check his luggage in because they didn't want to be responsible for it for 13 hours before his flight.  So then he wasn't allowed to go past security since he still had all his luggage.  I also wanted him to get some sleep.  We had all planned to stay with him at the airport so that he wasn't alone - but once it came time it seemed a little ridiculous to me that he we couldn't bring him to the hotel at the Marriott at the Courtyard not far from GL.  In fact after he slept, he gave us the Navy shirts he had pre-purchased and he took the civies we brought for him - so he repacked part of his bag.  We went to lunch/dinner and then to the airport to see him off.  Thanks for you concern.  I know the Navy frowns on them leaving again - once they are at the airport.  But we were as cautious as we could be.  Hope this helps clear it up.  

Comment by diannep on July 4, 2012 at 6:54pm

Glad they didn't hit your house, smokie.  So sad -- all of the damage from all of the bad weather....

Comment by smokie (ship12 Div 203) on July 4, 2012 at 3:50pm

FTLW, so creative. Enjoy the 4th of July. We woke up to 2 trees down in our yard bad storm last night. Everyone out with chain saws this holiday.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on July 4, 2012 at 1:14pm

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on July 4, 2012 at 1:14pm

Happy Fourth of July!

Comment by Dan on July 4, 2012 at 11:03am

We had a long Saturday with sailor, he was tired due to 4a-6a watch before liberty.  And he had to be back by 8pm for watch again.  We went to Chicago during the day.

Sunday morning we went to the airport and ate breakfast with him and then saw him off. 

Also gave him his electronics.  He called Monday and said that all electronics, such as his kindle fire, had to be turned in until phase 2 liberty is achieved.  Apparently earned with good behavior, and no hits on inspections. They did not get in trouble for already having them, they only had to turn them in.

We parked in the small metra station at PIR, but saw many people being dropped off at the walk in gate there.  The car line looked long, and then they had to walk quite a ways to get in line behind the walk-ins that had lined up while they were driving and walking back.  I think this was gate 8. 

When you return your sailor you do so on Buckley, I believe that it is gate 6, you drive through the gate, after getting permission, and then turn right, after the NEX, into the chapel parking lot.  You can then drive to the chapel and drop your sailor off their.  It shortens their walk back to their ship to check in. 

Both days we dropped off our sailor between 30 and 45 minutes early to allow for the walk back.  He joked that as close as our hotel and the mall was, that he could have run back, after running so much in boot camp... ;)

Congratulations to all graduates.  It is an experience to be remembered.

Comment by diannep on July 4, 2012 at 8:04am

tatmom:  Was a bit confused on your post.  Did you say that once your sailor was dropped off at OHare, Sarge picked him up there and brought him to you in GL?  If that was the case, yikes.  Glad it worked out but if anything had happened and he had missed that flight, it would have been BIG TROUBLE for him.  I know he didn't leave until later that day, but may have been better to stay around Chicago in that case.  I know RTC tells them not to go anywhere, but the USO has told others just to have them back 3 hours before flight time.  I know of one sailor who missed his flight (was alone in barracks and RDCs forgot about him).  Even though he had no alarm clock and it really wasn't totally his fault, he was in big trouble when he finally arrived at his A School.  Scared to death.

But regardless, so glad you had a good time and Sarge was so helpful!

Smokie:  Wow, smokie.  So glad that he finally got there!

Comment by tatmom4rc(Ship12, Div. 204) on July 3, 2012 at 10:47pm

We are finally home.  Stayed some extra time in Chicago.  First of all congratulations to all the new Sailors and their families.  Great accomplishments.  PIR was great and a wonderful experience and so proud of all the the new Sailors. 

Sarge was a wonderful resource.  We went to the meet and greet and got a lot of useful info.  We came with specific questions for our SR and got all good valid answers.  I took Sarge to his word and we called him every time we needed advice.  We took Sarge's offer and took our son for his free steak in Libertyville- and it was awesome.  I don't think I ever saw him so happy- then we hit a wonderful bakery called Lovin Oven Cakery and the Chocolate Factory while we were there.  Called Sarge and got directions to Gurnee Mall and stopped there for a bit of shopping (sole supporters and various odds and ends).  By the end of the day we realized that getting our sailor was going to be tough as we already had a long day and although we were not as tired as the sailors, we were not sure if it would be a good idea to drive to O'Hare at 4 or 5 in the morning and pick him up.  We didn't know our way around or even where to try and meet at.  Sarge took care of it all.  When he picked our son up and drove him back to our hotel early morning.  Calling us to let us know he was on his way.  So we were able to sleep some and then let him sleep in a hotel bed for several hours.  We headed out for lunch the next day and had a great time with him until taking him back to O'Hare at 6PM.  Sarge helped us pull it all together.  I ran into to sailors staying at our hotel that night that had just graduated A school from GL.  I mentioned Sarge's name and then couldn't stop talking about him.  They said they still use his services and advice - and that they would not trust any other cab service in the area!!  What a great recommendation.

Comment by smokie (ship12 Div 203) on July 3, 2012 at 7:33pm

Diannep, My son had to be at midway airport at 345 in am on Sunday then did not get to Pensacola until the next day, Monday at 700 am due to delay. He said he slept across 3 chairs in the airport. We extended our stay due to him leaving Sunday. It was great to have an extra day.

Comment by mareluc(Ship11/Div196/PIR 6/29) on July 3, 2012 at 7:31pm

Had an awesome weekend with my Sailor!  We got to spend the weekend together - he hasn't been sent to Pensacola yet...some medical paperwork that fell through the cracks.  Hopefully they will get in straightened out soon - if he isn't to A school by this weekend he will have to wait a few months before he can go :(  so keep your fingers crossed!

PIR was great.  Very proud of all 876 Sailors who graduated on 6/29!  

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