How many nights are you there for PIR?

[Mary n Jesse]

Hi, I'm getting used to this site, and did some looking around, but didn't really see this topic.

 

With liberty weekend, what are the details as far as Sunday goes? Do families drop off their recruit on Sunday evening back at base, and that is the last they see them? (meaning, you don't see them again Monday morning, right?). Also assuming the recruit is not grad-n-go.

 

Do you think a lot of people then, arrive in Chicago beginning Thursday (if Friday graduation) and then stay for 4 nights, going home on Monday?

 

Just wanted opinions on what others are doing.  I'm asking because I'd kind of like to come home on Sunday night so I don't have to take Monday off from work, but on the other hand, I don't want to miss one moment with my son.

 

thanks,

mary

[Brenda Sue]

I made arrangements to come home on Sunday evening. No, you don't get to see him on Monday morning usually. BUT. . . when I picked him up Sunday morning for our good-byes - he told me that he had Monday off because it was President's Day. I extended the rental car, rechecked into the hotel, changed my airline flight and spent all day Sunday with him. It has been two years and it still tears me up to think about our conversation that day! "Mom, I'll pay if you will only stay."

[Mary n Jesse]

aww! that is a sweet story! (you made me tear up!). What is the timing like then for Sunday? Check out of hotel in the morning, then pick him up for the day and drop him off around 4-5pm, and make the flight home for around 7-8PM? Luckly, there are a lot of flights to Cleveland airport, so I should have some pretty good options.

(I hate thinking about the return home when I haven't even gone to see him yet!).

thanks for your help!
mary

[ShortBecky]

We stayed until our recruit had to be back at the base Sunday evening. By the time Sunday was over we had our son and two other boys whose families had left earlier. They wanted to stay with us until it was time to go back. We stayed until about 8 pm Sunday night then drove 6 hours to get back home. Long night but I would not change a thing. It was worth it to spend the time with our son.

[Mary n Jesse]

Yep, It would be about 6-7 hours for us to get home to Cleveland if we drove...hmmm. decisions decisions!! thank you...

[Michimom (MM Nuke Mom)]

I'm jealous. We found out our son is Grad & Go and will be leaving Great Lakes for O'Hare around 2 a.m. Saturday. So, we have all day Friday with him, plus we can meet him and hang out at the airport before he flies out. We've been trying to decide whether to drive home (about 5 hours) Saturday or Sunday, but so far Sunday is winning out (for me, anyway)--mostly because I think we'll be a bit too tired to drive.

We're hoping for a change and for him to fly out later, but that's doubtful. Oh, well.

[Suzanne]

We flew up on Thursday and had Friday and Saturday with our son. (Except in the evenings when he had to report back to GL). We made arrangements to leave on Sunday morning, BUT would have been willing to do just what Brenda Sue did - change our airline/hotel reservations if our son would have been able to stay longer in GL. As luck would have it, he actually had to be at the airport earlier than we did on Sunday. We were able to meet up with him and had enough time to give him his cell phone and laptop before his flight left.

[Amanda's Mom 2010]

That's what I was wondering...there are things she will want to take to A school (laptop, cell phone) but what else did you take? Any clothes or are the only in Navy uniforms at A school 24-7? what about other personal items (purse, jammies, etc)? Just curious...
I think we are planning to stay until Mon or Tues just in case...hopefully, she won't be a Grad N Go! yikes!

[Mary n Jesse]

Lisa, good questions. I heard that recruits going to A school that are staying at Great Lakes can't have phone, laptops or anything come back with them for A school and they have to be mailed to them later (?) - but those who are flying out of Great Lakes, read they can have some of their things. Hopefully, we'll learn more soon!
mary

[ilovelucy]

If anyone knows the answer to what our new sailors can have at the airport prior to leaving out to A-School.....let us know. I had plans to give him these items listed above!!!

Thanks for the input.

[michelle Ship 10/Div 338 PIR10/8]

New to this and want to know all the basics of what to expect - our son will be leaving for bc August 17th. When do you find out what day graduation is so we can make arrangements as far as our work goes. And what hotels are close by and do they offer any specials? Where does everyone stay?

[Nicolynn]

Michelle, I received the "box" with all my recruits belongings in it 3 days after he arrived... and then got his form letter (the letter with his ship/div/ and expected graduation date) the following week. We're booked to stay at the Ramada 4 miles from base, they offer discounts if you're up there for graduation, continental breakfast, meet & greet, and a shuttle to graduation and back. Enjoy your time you have left with your recruit!

[michelle Ship 10/Div 338 PIR10/8]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like he should take his phone with him, just to keep in touch on the way to GL, but have him prepared with a calling card already activated so he can call when he has the opportunity - right? Have you gone through this before? Sounds like a shuttle is a good idea is that offered at all hotels?