family at airport

[Steven'smom]

I thought that parents/immediate family could go to the gate to see their son/daughter off to GL.  While talking to recruiter last week, I was told no.  The recruiter I saw a month ago said there shouldn't be a problem with going to the gate.  Does anyone have clarification of this one way or the other?  I don't think my son really wants the mommy scene at the gate but I'd like to know if we are allowed.

[Jana]

I think it kind of depends on the airport and who you ask. When my son left Shreveport, LA to go to boot camp I was not allowed to go with him to the gate, but I didn't know to ask at the ticket counter for a gate pass.  I was just asking the people who were working the security checkpoint.   However, when he left Chicago to fly to San Antonio for A school, he was able to get a gate pass for me so I could see him off at the gate.  At Christmastime when he flew to Houston after A school graduation (he was taking a couple of weeks leave at this time) I asked at the ticket counter if I could get a gate pass and they told me no.  However, when I took him to Shreveport to meet his flight to Pensacola in December for C school, we asked at the ticket counter and I was able to get a gate pass to see him off at the gate.  Go with him to the ticket counter and have him ask if you can get a gate pass to see him off.  

[Steven'smom]

I think this recruiter doesn't want parents at the gate, if possible.  The recruiter I talked to a month ago said it shoudn't be a problem.  The recruiter said he was taking Steven to the airport so it might be tough to meet up with him at the ticket counter.  I'm not sure Steven wants me at the gate.  He's afraid of a possible "scene" (he is my youngest) a the gate and I think he doesn't want to cry.  I'm torn.

[Jana]

Yes, I understand. His recruiter told me that I could drive him to Shreveport to the hotel.  I didn't ask the recruiter if I could go to the airport, I just did. He called me from his cell phone when he got to the airport and told me where he was, and I met him there.  At least when he left, nobody stayed there with them.  They were just dropped off at the airport.  I was feeling the same way, but I told my son (he is my youngest son) to just humor me because it would be a long time before I saw him again.  I tried my best to hold it together and did pretty good until he started going through security, then I just lost it.  He did not turn around because I think he knew what was going on.  I would just ask Steven how he felt about you going to the gate and then go from there.  When is he leaving?  

[Steven'smom]

The recruiter just dropped your son at the airport!!??  Steven has never flown before and doesn't know the first thing about getting through the airport!  Steven leaves on August 2.  We are having a graduation/going away party on Saturday.  Black and gold for high school colors and red,white and blue for the Navy.  I'll have to check into this airport thing.  If the recruiter doesn't even go with them into the airport then why would he care if we did, if we are allowed

[Jana]

I don't think the recruiter took him to the airport.  I don't even think he was there since I drove him to Shreveport myself and he was the only one from the area leaving that day.  I think they loaded up a group of them from MEPS in a van--branches other than Navy too and drove them to the airport.  I'm not sure, but I think they just dropped them off, but I could be wrong. Maybe it's different if you live in an area close to an airport or MEPS.    We don't.  The closest airport/MEPS was in Shreveport, which is 100 miles away.    All I know is when I got there just a little after them, there was no one there, just the ones that were shipping out that day.  Well that is cool about the party.  We had a going away party for my son too, and black and gold were his high school colors!!

[Steven'smom]

sorry--I think I duplicated message when I tried to edit to add question on area code.  I am not good with computers.  I don't even think I know how to friend someone.  I do not and probably will not join facebook!

[Arwen]

When my son went to boot camp, at Portland (Oregon) MEPS they gave them a meal voucher, plane tickets, and train tickets to get to the airport, and sent them out the door.

That was it, they were on their own.

When I went (25 years ago) we rode in a bus/van in a group to the airport. They let us out and we were on our own.

They do put one recruit "in charge." He carries certain paperwork and is nominally in charge of keeping everyone together.

At the other end they meet at the USO, where they group-up with 100-300 other recruits all heading in at the same time, and wait for shuttle buses that take them to Great Lakes.

Usually there are a dozen or so recruits all going together, and most of them have at least basic airport travel experience. If your son sticks with the group, he will be fine.

It's a bit of a test. If a recruit is responsible enough to follow the rules (ie stick with the group, not stray) and doesn't do something dumb like use drugs in the bathroom - or most importantly, not get cold feet and back out - they've passed their first test.

They can have their cell phone the entire time and be texting/talking with anyone they want, but once they get on the bus, it is turned off. They get another 15 seconds with their phone a few hours later, then it gets shipped home.

The meal tickets are best used at Chicago, for one last meal. And they should make it a BIG one. They won't be eating again for a while, possibly up to 24 hours. And they should sleep on the plane if they can, because it can be 2 days before they see a bed.

Also, one of the main reasons they don't want parents at the airport is because this is when these kids are supposed to grow up. They are supposed to be independent, not still being cared for by their parents.

Plus they won't tell you, but most of the kids want to make that break as early as possible so they can mentally prepare for what is coming next.

We dropped our son at the recruiter's station, then the recruiter took him and about 3 other guys to MEPS from there (which is standard procedure). He didn't even want us going to MEPS with him, which was kind-of a relief because we lived 9 hours from MEPS.

[Steven'smom]

Thank you for the great information.  We will definitely go for the swearing in.  Steven is ready to go.  I know he is perfectly capable of finding an airplane.  It's just me---letting your children go start their own lives is difficult.  Tomorrow is his grad/going away party.  I am deep in cooking mode right now.  Probably feeding over 100, so I'm cooking for 120.  Made 350 meatballs and sauce last night.  I'll be fine.  Thanks again for the explaination.  It makes me feel a lot better.

[Steven'smom]

Steven leaves on Aug 2.  Recriters just leave the boys at the airport???  Steven has never flown before so has never navigated an airport.  Why would he care if we went to the gate if he isn't going to be there?  I'll have to check on that.  We are having a graduation/going away party this Saturday.  USA colors and black and gold for school colors.  Navy cake and high school colors cupcakes.  By the way, do you happen to know the area code for GL?  I just keep my phone on vibrate at work so it would be nice to know the area code so if I see it on an incoming call, I'll know it's Steven and will answer.  I already informed all at work that I will answer any call that comes from Steven.  Thanks for your help

[Jana]

I believe the area code is 847.  Don't take what I say about leaving as the way it's going to be for your son.  They get briefed before they go to the airport.  I would ask the recruiter how it's done when they arrive at the airport--does the recruiter just drop him off, or does he go with him inside the airport.  

[MamaLamaDingDong: AO/Pensacola]

My daughter just left on Tuesday from Phoenix. She went to MEPS early Tuesday morning. I went there a couple of hours later (recruiter told me what time to go) in order to watch her be sworn in. Had about 1 1/2 hour of "sit around and wait" time, but she was able to sit with me for most of that. Then they loaded all of the navy enlisted on a van and drove them to the airport. All of the "family" members got in our cars and drove right behind them. They briefed the "kids" really well about what to do at the airport, but they did just drop them off. Remember, they are not checking bags, they are given their tickets a head of time, so all they have to do is look on their ticket and see the gate number and then go to the gate. My daughter's group was dropped off 3 hours before their flight left so most of the family members hung out with their sailor, had lunch in the airport. The kids wanted to stick together (instant bonding or scared crazy, i don't know lol). So we got to be together for about 2 hours and then we all watched them go thru security (they would not give us gate passes). Of course we were all crying and loving on them, you could tell the "kids" were ready to get out of there and start their adventure, but they held up well for all of the picture taking and hugging. It was cool to be able to get a group shot of all of them. I don't know if that helps, but I would just do whatever you need to do to say your good byes. You're sailor will deal with it (and probably be thankful for the extra time - in a couple of weeks!). I was prepared with book, food, and water to get in the car and follow the recruiter every where they took her that morning! lol, thankfully her recruiter was very forthcoming with instructions. Let us know how it goes!