Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Mine was told that the he'd have either Christmas or New Years week off but won't know until closer to the holidays...unless they go out on assignment..:)) Does Southwest fly out of Norfolk? SW doesn't charge for changing dates or flights and it can be done easily on the computer in minutes...just a thought....:))

Beware: know your flight prices before you call...several carriers charge more....Yip...found that out last week booking a ticket for my sailor to come home on leave.., government and military rate was $300 more....just double check varies from airline to airline...before you book.

Well Kellie you made me cry with the tears.

I saw on news channel for Capital news. they were debating airline transparency for prices. and airline fees. wanted to put in my two cents on over charging out military. 

Hooray to a Mom getting a hug from her Sailor!! Mine will home next Monday!!! It's exciting isn't it...:)))

Hope you don't mind Kellie but I copied and pasted your airline post and sent it with a note of my own to my senator. That is outrageous. 

Hello all....our sailor had leave last month....cost him $461.00 to fly from Norfolk to Binghamton ny.....ridiculous price!  He was so happy to be home he said it was worth it but cost for military to fly is out  rageous!!!!     Praying for all our sailors!

You don't have to use the military fare, you can buy the cheapest ticket you can find just like we all do. The advantage to the military fare is it often allows you to make changes to the ticket without fees where the cheap tickets don't allow changes or they have heavy fees to make changes.

Southwest Airlines is great - flies into Norfolk, has great rates, doesn't charge for two checked bags, doesn't charge a change fee (though you may have to pay extra if the fare has increased), and 'banks' your money if you have to cancel.  It doesn't show on sites like Orbitz so you have to search their site directly - Southwest.com.  Love them.

But you would think that military would get a "Grateful nation" discount.

Here's my notes: United, Delta, American offer military fares but they are not always at a discount from what anyone else can purchase on their own..active military with orders may have 4-5 bags that are up to 70lbs, 80" for free, for personal travel with military ID  2-3  bags free, depends on the flight and airport(after booking you can call customer service)...also two carry-ons, one 14x9x22 and personal bag(computer, purse, satchel bag or backpack) personal bag has to fit under the seats and watch out for ones with wheel, they maybe checked on a full flight(happened to me many of times even it was small enough).

Southwest love them! I was rated as one of their top 100 flyers for a couple of years (kind a cool my family could fly free with me) just means I flew a lot them. Changes can be made easy online for free..they offer 2 free bags up to 50lbs and 60"(golf clubs go free), not sure but military may get more bags free, haven't checked myself but heard they do. Also the same two carry-on bag policy...

As with any "big" purchase shop around check travel websites, airport sites for specials and check airlines directly.Tuesday seem to be the best day to book, discount day....I booked my sailors flight for coming home, next week, myself online instead of using the "too high" military rate. Added the travel insurance on the ticket for $20 just encase any changes had to be made due to the Navy...:))....saved over $300......:)

Lizb and BeachBunny,

That's right about Christmas leave.  The Sailors, Marines, and Soldiers who have regularly come to our house haven't known which week they get until December, so it's been hard sometimes to arrange a flight ahead of time.  Hopefully, they will give them enough time this year to be able to. :)

More info on airlines, military and checked bags:  http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103882  

BeachBunny, you must have been flying more than time on the ground! LOL  I too added insurance to my son's last trip from overseas, as we're talking real $$ now ;)  Did it through USAA's travel services.

Marcy---pretty nice chart and handy to have....but sailors or mom call the airline, out of Pcola Delta and United allow up to 5 bags for military....these are good guidelines...thanks for sharing....

Oh...I flew out  at least three flights a week...short flights flew over over the west coast, first flight out then last flight back home....racked up tons of miles for free vacation....I love flying...:)) My sailor flew a ton with me too...when he left for BC he was the only one of the 18 going that had flown before, they gave him the orders and told him to get everyone there...:)))

I just checked Southwest out of curiosity and found a flight round trip from Denver to Norfolk no stops, $148.00!! Of course when I want to go in January I don't know the date till it is closer to Steve's ship coming home. 

Just ordered this for my son who just became a shellback!! It is a shellback print

No my my dad didn't influence I don't think, however both boys love looking at his journal from WWII. He sketched where ever his Ship went and some of the bog battles. He was also on a destroyer like Steve.  His was the USS Wilson. He is 87 and sharp as a tack.

But a lot of Military people did come into my shop their Senior year and talked to Steve about the benefits. God sends what is needed always. 

Hi Everyone. I just wanted to let you know what happened with the lease and my son's apartment.  He ended up talking with JAG that emailed his landlord. Due to his orders he got out of the lease with no penalties for breaking the lease or liquidated damages.  His security deposit will also be returned so long as there is no damage to the place.  Federal law allows the breaking of the contract with no penalites due to his military order.  Just though someone might want to know for their son/daughter.  Thanks for all the help!!   

CO-Twin,

The shellback print looks really colorful and detailed!  I was trying to make it bigger by clicking on it, but it wouldn't.

the shellback print has Neptune on it and mermaids and the banner says shellback.

Hello!

Does anyone else here have a Sailor on shore duty?  My daughter told me there are no mailboxes on base.  If a Sailor wants to receive mail or packages, they have to rent a P.O. box and check it regularly.  Does anyone know where those are or if there is an alternative for them to receive mail here?  I can't believe that the largest base in the Navy doesn't have a way for the Sailors to receive mail there without having to drive somewhere to pick it up.

CatMom,

That isn't good information, there has to be a place for your Sailor to receive mail if she is living in Navy provided housing. She just hasn't asked the right person yet. Let me see what I can find out...

Way to go Dad  Knew you would help Cat Mom Yes!!

Oh and when your son is in port do you still mail the ship?

CatMom,

The numbers I'm calling all are busy signals. Most Sailors have mail sent to their command address where they work every day. Is that an option? If there isn't mail delivery to the BEQ she should be able to have it sent to her at work.

I'll keep trying the BEQ and mail room on base and see if I can get through.

I do agree, for Norfolk being the largest Navy Base IN THE WORLD they sure don't seem to be setup to accommodate Sailors very well.

Yes CO-Twin, address will always be the ships address in port and underway if the Sailor lives on the ship. If they live in an apartment out in town that can be there address as long as there is someone there to receive it while they are underway.

CatMom,

Just got through to the mail room and he said single Sailors use their command address for mail. Tell her to ask at work for the mailing address of the command so she can get her mail sent there. Seems like with that many Sailors attached to that base they would have mail delivery to the BEQ.

Thanks Dad of Sailor, you are the best!! 

What is BEQ?  So my daughter should ask her higher ups at work on base if she can receive personal mail and packages there?

Hmm, I put BEQ in the Navy Speak box and it said "Sorry!"  That thing really needs to be updated~~ 

BEQ = Bachelor Enlisted Quarters...otherwise where single sailors live aka Barracks.

Yes, tell her to start with her LPO and ask for the address to the command she works for. There are many (hundreds?) of commands on Norfolk Naval Station so she needs the mailing address to her command.

Married Sailors probably won't have the address because they get their mail sent to their homes so she needs to ask someone who can point her to the person that handles the incoming mail for her command to make sure she gets the right address.

CatMom,

One disadvantage is that she probably won't be able to get mail on Saturday at work because most commands are not staffed on the weekends to handle these functions and just have a duty section.

Dad of Sailor, thanks again for coming through with much needed info!!  It's okay about no Saturday delivery as it looks like the service is heading in that direction anyway for the rest of us...

Hello All....in response to the question about single sailors getting mail on base...our son has been in Norfolk living on base ...He cannot receive mail there.  He had to rent a post office box in town and pay for it $70 for three months or it might be six months at a time!!!!!   It is the only way I can send him mail and packages.   We tried mailing stuff to his command address he never receives anything we send there so stopped doing that.  It is absolutley ridiculous he has to drive four miles to a post office  in town to get his mail.  I don't understand this policy at all!!!  and the fact that he has to pay out of his own pocket for me to send him mail. 

If I am mailing a box to the ship and it is in Norfolk can One still use the APO/FPO boxes? They are a flat rate that is lower than the if it fits boxes. 

Yes CO-Twin, can use those boxes anytime you're sending to a FPO address, doesn't matter where the ship is.

allie1928,

That makes it hard to us to send care packages of local goodies or her own stuff if she has to pay receive anything at all.  I believe the post boxes should be for 6 mos at a time.

When you sent mail to the command address, did it ever eventually make it to him or did it get returned to you?

If in fact there is a problem with your Sailors getting mail this should be brought to the attention of their Commanding Officer through the Command Master Chief. Every Sailor must have the opportunity to receive mail without having to pay for it and if this isn't being provided it needs to be addressed.

Heck, I'll even be the one to call and rattle someones cage if you'd like but I'd need to know what command the Sailor is attached to so I can call the right people.

mail seems to be a basic need, kinda like telling them they have to pay to take a shower. Seems rather not family supportive. 

Hi..Catmom...he never received the mail. And it was never returned to me.it was my test to see if he could get mail at work...it failed....he tried to rent post office box on base ...none available. And I wanted to send him stuff. So he went to post off on Grandby street. And rents one. D a d of sailor. I will talk to my son on weekend I hope tell him what you said...thanks

Oh...I'm concerned now...my sailor will be there for a couple of months for C school and I have to mail him the new registration tags for his truck....don't want him pulled over when driving back to the west coast....this just doesn't sound right....

Oh..I believe you moms in what your saying but this just isn't right for the sailors...

I am thankful he has a car and can get to town to pick up his mail....I send a big package once a month...and other small things nothing perishable of course..He loves it when he gets my packages ....when he was in Pensacola FL for A school they had a mail room in his barracks and he just had to stop by the window and get his mail...I would think that is how it would be everybase but it is not the case.  Have a nice day everyone!  Cool here this morning...38 degrees..chilly

Back to mailings :)   Here are the 2013 Holiday Mailing Deadlines for pre-December 25 delivery to FPO/....

Not a problem; deleted :)