Our PIR experiences and tips

[Heidi W.]

Hi Folks.  We were at our first PIR on January 8, 2016 and would like to share our experiences in hopes it will help out new Navy families.

We flew into O'hare on Thursday night.  The airport is big, but not too intimidating.  The person at the information desk pointed us in the right direction, and we found ourselves on a bus heading to the car rental area.  The folks at Alamo were very friendly and helpful, and we were on our way in no time at all.  Note: we didn't have any checked bags, so from landing to driving out of the parking lot took a total of about 30 to 45 minutes.  Our arrival was at 6:30pm on a Thursday, and the airport was not too busy.

Our drive was to Waukegan, and was an easy drive.  At about 7:00pm there was very little traffic, and the drive took around 45 minutes.  The toll was $1.90.  We stayed at the Courtyard Mariott in Waukegan, which was very nice and very clean.  Desk staff was friendly and full of tips and suggestions.  While checking in we put our name on the shuttle list for the ride to the PIR.  That was the best thing we did, more on that later.

For dinner that night we ate and Anastasia's, which is next door to the Courtyard.  Great food and great service.  Four of us ate, with a drink or two, for $55.

The next day we had a quick breakfast in the lobby, and were on the shuttle at about 6:30.  Tip..go on the early shuttles for the best seats at PIR.  When we saw the line of cars waiting to get in the gate, and then the shuttle van drove around all of those cars to bring us directly to the gate, we knew we made the right choice.  Total cost for the van ride is $3.00 per person each way...money well spent.  The van can hold six passengers, so there is room for your entire family, and if one van is full, there will be another one soon.

After getting through security (tip, have license ready), it's a little walk to the ceremony hall.  Plan accordingly if the weather is bad, and don't put your ID away, you'll need it again.  We were sitting down by 7:15.  When you walk in the hall, look for your recruits division sign so you'll be sitting in the right place, get your seats, and settle in.  Tip, go to the bathroom before you sit.  There were 12 divisions graduating that day, so people who arrived later had difficulties finding seats near their recruits division.

The PIR is great, and I won't give away any of their surprises, but relax...you will really enjoy this ceremony.  And following the PIR....LIBERTY!!!  After 8 weeks, you can finally hug your Navy Sailor.

Our son had to check into A school, so we left him there and went back to the Courtyard, via the same Black and Red van.  The driver was sitting near the gate when we came out.  Another friendly man, and not a scary driver either.

Lunch was at Sweet Tomatoes, all soup and salad.  Fresh salad fixings, and all you can eat.

We picked up our son at about 3:00 pm and got caught up on the last 8 weeks.  Afterwards we went to dinner at a Sushi place...not very good, and very over priced.  Oh well, the only downside to the weekend.

The sailors need to be back on base at night, so we dropped him off at about 7:00 pm with plans for breakfast the next day.  Also, they can now have cell phones on base, so you can bring your sailors phone if you want to.

Saturday...we drove to Wisconsin and had breakfast at Franks Place in Kenosha.  It is not very far from the base (about 30 minutes), and it is definitely worth the trip.  WOW....what a breakfast.  Try the garbage plates, and a bloody mary.  Incredible. Guy Fieri filmed a show for diners, drive ins, and dives there.

On the way back to the Courtyard we found a Jelly Belly plant.  Couldn't tell you exactly where, but I'm sure Google could help.

Later that day we had lunch at Portillo's for Chicago style hot dogs.  REAL cool place, and the food sure was good.

Dinner brought us back to Anastasia's.  They have an incredible deep dish pizza.  Our left over food went back to the base.  We had to have our son back on base by 10:00pm, and you can drive them directly to their ship.  Make sure you all have your ID's handy, and also the rental slip for the car.

Our return trip was incredibly easy.  It snowed Saturday night, so I figured I'd get an early start.  Traffic was light and the roads were clear.  We pulled up at Alamo, there were two employees who met us at the car, and by the time the four of us were out of the car they already had our bags on the shuttle bus for us.  The bus ride to the terminal was about 15 minutes, and TSA check in was about 30 minutes.  Total time from hotel to gate was about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but I'd suggest you plan to get there early in case your travelling at a more busy time.

NOTE: Thank you Navyformoms for all of your information.  After reading the posts by others, we were very prepared for the PIR, making our trip much more relaxing and stress free.

And...welcome to the Navy family!

[Aj10941]

Thank you for all this information

[Tamela]

Is there anything within close distance to the Navy Lodge ?

[CryptoDad]

Nothing within walking distance.  What are you looking for?

[Yankee Lady]

This is great information. Especially about the shuttle.  My husband and I are also looking to stay at the same Marriot.  Thanks for all the tips. My sons PIR is April 15, 2016. We plan on driving from Pennsylvania to the Great Lakes. Its a 12 hour trip.  Cant wait to see my son.  thanks again for the information.

[Hairstylist02]

Thanks so much for all your information, it was so helpful in planning our trip in March!

[complex14]

My family and I are going to be spending a whole week up in GreatLakes since my husband is only allowed to take time off of work once a year. So my sons PIR is March 18. We combined our annual vacation to land this same week (knowing we will only have him for the weekend.)

Anyway my question is... the rest of the time we are there what is there to do? We are from Miami and would LOVE to see snow but I don't know if it will be too warm for that by then. Someone did mention something about a ski and snowboarding place where they had artificial snow that was blown onto the hills but I cant recall the name or where I read that.

Anyway I know its a longshot but if anyone has any info I'd appreciate it.

Thanks so much!

[Jessica]

Thank you so much very helpful we are going this weekend for graduation, so again very helpful!

[Ma11]

I have read other posts suggesting that you bring your sailor some civilian clothes to lounge around in at the hotel , is this accurate info?

[lemonelephant]

Yes, your Sailor can change into comfortable clothes in the hotel room, but he cannot leave the room in them since he must be in uniform. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/rules_liberty.html: Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty.  If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must wear the authorized Navy issued workout gear.

There is additional info for you in PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

[colleenb]

Do they have to wear their dress whites the whole weekend?

[lemonelephant]

colleenb, no, only on the day of PIR. Your Sailor will be in a less formal uniform--I think the Navy Service Uniform, aka "peanut butters"--when he flies out on Saturday after PIR.

Check your My Page.

[Clearwater]

Hi, does anyone know if we can bring tripod or mono-pod to PIR.

I'd like to use my mono-pod.

You used one or you saw one? Please give me idea. Thanks!