Driving to PIR 11/01

[NavyMom9519]

Anyone else going to be driving to PIR? We are coming from OH and it’s really not that far of a drive. We plan to leave here Thurs morning early so we will have plenty of time that afternoon and evening to figure out where we are. My mother has bad knees so we will need to limit her amount of walking if possible. Is it difficult to drive into GL for PIR and is there handicap parking close? I sat down to book a hotel and now I’m feeling overwhelmed with the thought of the whole process and seeing him and still taking care of my mom. She’s healthy otherwise but slow moving.

[Phoenixmom]

Hi NavyMom9519 here is some info for you.

If you want traffic updates tune your radio to WLS am 890 or WGN am 720.

You can avoid most tolls by using Route 41, it goes all the way to Chicago and will get you from Chicago to RTC and nearby lodging. If you are traveling through Chicago on the way to and from Great Lakes, follow 94 East which merges into Route 41 to avoid toll roads. Your hotel may be able to give you directions to RTC that will avoid toll roads. https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/maps may help you to plan for the toll costs. Some car rental agencies will try to convince you to purchase an I-PASS for about $10 a day. Don't do that! You can avoid toll roads most of the time and if you have to travel on a toll road, the tolls will be much less than the cost of the I-PASS. 

If you or someone in your party has difficulty walking, make sure that you have a handicapped/disabled placard displayed upon entering RTC so that your vehicle will be directed to the correct parking area. (If your vehicle has permanent disabled license plates and you will not be using your own vehicle, check with your local license bureau about getting a handicapped/disabled placard for use during PIR weekend. It may require a form from your physician or proof of the license plate depending on your state.) Use of wheelchairs and manually-powered mobility aids are authorized on board RTC. They also have wheelchairs available and Sailors/Recruits will help to seat you in one of the handicapped areas. They will help you to find the area closest to your Sailor's division. If you have your own wheelchair, do bring that because you will be able to sit in it and won't have to wait your turn for transport after the ceremony. If you use one from RTC, then you will be transferred to a chair and will have to wait for one of the wheelchairs to be brought back for you after the ceremony. One other person will be able to sit with you in the handicapped area and any others with you will sit in the bleachers. If others in your party choose to sit in the section behind the handicapped area, have them sit in the third or fourth row and not in the first row so that they will be able to see. If you have trouble walking and you don’t have your own wheelchair, you may want to consider renting one in your hometown for use PIR weekend—ask your doctor about writing a prescription for use of a wheelchair for a week. Even if you don't have a handicapped placard, you will be able to utilize one of the wheelchairs at RTC if it is needed, so don't hesitate to ask if you have a need for one. (See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#grad_ceremony.)

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

If you get into town early enough on Thursday try to make it to Sarge's Meet & Greet.  Here's the info (you will need to RSVP):

SARGE - MEET & GREET

Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information and has a meet and greet at the Lakehurst Event Center in Waukegan the night before PIR (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). His cell number is 847-212-0246. His M&G and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

[NavyMom9519]

Thank you so much!!! I’m sure we will be fine but sitting and thinking about it gives me hives haha!

[Tricia]

I am driving as well, graduation date is 11/8.  It can't come fast enough.  Thanks for the driving tips!