Helpful Info from a dad who was just there
My wife and I just got back from our son's PIR. It was an awesome experience and I'd like to offer those who are about to travel some helpful information. I read everything that I could on Navy Dads and Navy for Moms so that we would be as prepared as possible- so here's how it worked out for us:
1. We flew into Milwaukee instead of Chicago. Our experience at Milwaukee airport was nothing less than ideal. The airport is not very large and you easily get right onto the Interstate. From the airport to where we stayed, it was a forty five minute drive. I read that several others before us really recommended this airport instead of the two in Chicago- and it was great for us.
2. TAKE A GPS IF POSSIBLE. My son brought his GPS and it was invaluable. Though I'm certainly not technically challenged I've never used a GPS before and I cannot begin to tell you how awesome these things work. We entered the address for our Motel into the GPS as we sat in our rental car at the airport and then headed out with perfect directions every step of the way. It eliminates worrying about signs and missing turns and makes the drive effortless. Borrow one from a friend if you don't own one.
-look up the Navy Credit Unions address at the base (Indiana Street) and enter it into your GPS... You'll get perfect directions to the correct gate at the base (there are several gates and if you've never been there, it could be a little confusing).
3. Rental Car. We got a Ford Edge from Dollar Rental and we loved the car- but even though I did as much negotiating as possible, it was still kind of expensive (but we needed something big enough for five). Smaller vehicles are a lot less expensive!
4. We stayed at the Residence Inn in Gurnee and loved it! We read lots of recommendations and we're so glad that we stayed there. Only seven or eight minutes from the base. A Walmart, Bowling Alley, Gas station, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chilis, and McDonalds just across the street- And a great pizza place- Anastasia or something like that. They have GREAT deep dish pizza. Everything was so convenient. The Residence Inn has a full buffet every morning until 9am and a lot of us brought our sailors back with us to eat breakfast. The main reason we chose this Motel was because they had suites. Ours was a two bedroom suite with a small living room and nice kitchen with table and chairs. We had a gas fireplace which we really enjoyed because this part of the country is VERY COLD. VERY COLD! Geez it was cold there. I did my very best to get a good rate with my initial call, including asking for a discount for the graduation and threw in AAA and AARP. I made a reservation and let it sit for a couple of weeks, then called back and asked for the manager. I told him that we Dads discuss Motels and rates and service on our websites and asked if he could help me out some more since all of us are counting pennies. He gave me a great deal! $140 per night for a two bedroom suite which included a full breakfast. All you have to do is ask... it almost always pays off.
5. Parking Pass. Make a couple of copies of your parking pass so that you always have one in the glove compartment of your car. Even after the PIR- when you go to pick up your sailor the next day, your parking pass along with your drivers license will get you back onto the base to park next to NEX (Navy Exchange). In this extreme winter weather your sailor will certainly appreciate being picked up in the morning or dropped off at night at the end of the parking lot next to the Chapel. It shaves off at least 5-10 minutes off their walk back to or from their compartments.
6. We opted to take a taxi and was so glad that we did... (we were going to take a shuttle but since our son's graduation was on a Wednesday it took the shuttle guys by surprise and they never showed). Now that I've experienced the process, driving your car is only a good idea if you're willing to get there REAL early- meaning, getting in line at 6:30 or earlier. And once the cars get through the gate, you still have to wait while they inspect your vehicle and others around you. The shuttles and the taxis turn into their own drop off area and you can get out and get your group directly into the identification line. From there you can walk directly to the PIR building. Our taxi charged us $3.00 a person from the Residence Inn and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy ride- and when you get ready to head back, there will be several taxis waiting at the gate.
-more later
Mark
1. We flew into Milwaukee instead of Chicago. Our experience at Milwaukee airport was nothing less than ideal. The airport is not very large and you easily get right onto the Interstate. From the airport to where we stayed, it was a forty five minute drive. I read that several others before us really recommended this airport instead of the two in Chicago- and it was great for us.
2. TAKE A GPS IF POSSIBLE. My son brought his GPS and it was invaluable. Though I'm certainly not technically challenged I've never used a GPS before and I cannot begin to tell you how awesome these things work. We entered the address for our Motel into the GPS as we sat in our rental car at the airport and then headed out with perfect directions every step of the way. It eliminates worrying about signs and missing turns and makes the drive effortless. Borrow one from a friend if you don't own one.
-look up the Navy Credit Unions address at the base (Indiana Street) and enter it into your GPS... You'll get perfect directions to the correct gate at the base (there are several gates and if you've never been there, it could be a little confusing).
3. Rental Car. We got a Ford Edge from Dollar Rental and we loved the car- but even though I did as much negotiating as possible, it was still kind of expensive (but we needed something big enough for five). Smaller vehicles are a lot less expensive!
4. We stayed at the Residence Inn in Gurnee and loved it! We read lots of recommendations and we're so glad that we stayed there. Only seven or eight minutes from the base. A Walmart, Bowling Alley, Gas station, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chilis, and McDonalds just across the street- And a great pizza place- Anastasia or something like that. They have GREAT deep dish pizza. Everything was so convenient. The Residence Inn has a full buffet every morning until 9am and a lot of us brought our sailors back with us to eat breakfast. The main reason we chose this Motel was because they had suites. Ours was a two bedroom suite with a small living room and nice kitchen with table and chairs. We had a gas fireplace which we really enjoyed because this part of the country is VERY COLD. VERY COLD! Geez it was cold there. I did my very best to get a good rate with my initial call, including asking for a discount for the graduation and threw in AAA and AARP. I made a reservation and let it sit for a couple of weeks, then called back and asked for the manager. I told him that we Dads discuss Motels and rates and service on our websites and asked if he could help me out some more since all of us are counting pennies. He gave me a great deal! $140 per night for a two bedroom suite which included a full breakfast. All you have to do is ask... it almost always pays off.
5. Parking Pass. Make a couple of copies of your parking pass so that you always have one in the glove compartment of your car. Even after the PIR- when you go to pick up your sailor the next day, your parking pass along with your drivers license will get you back onto the base to park next to NEX (Navy Exchange). In this extreme winter weather your sailor will certainly appreciate being picked up in the morning or dropped off at night at the end of the parking lot next to the Chapel. It shaves off at least 5-10 minutes off their walk back to or from their compartments.
6. We opted to take a taxi and was so glad that we did... (we were going to take a shuttle but since our son's graduation was on a Wednesday it took the shuttle guys by surprise and they never showed). Now that I've experienced the process, driving your car is only a good idea if you're willing to get there REAL early- meaning, getting in line at 6:30 or earlier. And once the cars get through the gate, you still have to wait while they inspect your vehicle and others around you. The shuttles and the taxis turn into their own drop off area and you can get out and get your group directly into the identification line. From there you can walk directly to the PIR building. Our taxi charged us $3.00 a person from the Residence Inn and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy ride- and when you get ready to head back, there will be several taxis waiting at the gate.
-more later
Mark
Tags: NEX, Navy Exchange, Navy Graduation, PIR, Pass in Review, Tips for PIR
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on -
hey thanx Mark...great tips....you copy this and post to teh PIR - Tips group...or I can if you wish...that way it wont' get shuffeled around as other discussions get added!!
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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on
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I'll handle by making a discussion link in the group....
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Permalink Reply by Dan (Zach's Dad) on -
Excellent Mark! :) Thanks for the tips and help! :) - I love my GPS! Lola (GPS) has got me into a few tight spots on some trips, but got me out of a lot too!
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Permalink Reply by Steven S on -
Mark
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Did you happen to go to the airport with your son? Mine is asking if we could bring his cell to the airport, Ohare I guess. So, I'm looking at flying in and out there now so we can all be with him the day after graduation.
Thanks again for your sons service and God bless.
Steve
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Permalink Reply by marty slautterback on -
Thx Mark, Great tips, im pumped even more now...... Hooyah
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Permalink Reply by Mark on -
Steven,
I did not go to the airport with my son... we left two days before he did. Definitely bring his cell- you just can't leave it with him. My son, David called me from Pensacola last night just after he arrived. He's heard that in a couple of weeks we'll be able to get him his laptop and cell.
Mark
Steven Shivers said:Mark
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Did you happen to go to the airport with your son? Mine is asking if we could bring his cell to the airport, Ohare I guess. So, I'm looking at flying in and out there now so we can all be with him the day after graduation.
Thanks again for your sons service and God bless.
Steve
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Permalink Reply by Douglas Gould on
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Mark, that is great information. Thank you. We got a call from our son this morning and found out that he is not Grad and Go so I am ready to make reservations. Do you have a number to the place that you stayed and the name of the person(s) that you talked with. That sounds exactly what I am looking for. My wife and I will be taking our son's fiance and grandmother back with us so the two bedroom suite would be perfect.
Doug
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Permalink Reply by Mark on
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Doug,
We stayed at the Residence Inn Chicago Waukegan/Gurnee, phone number: 847-689-9240. I believe that the gentleman that I spoke to second was Gary... not sure though. Here's the best method: Make your first call and get the very best rate that you can get (Let them know that the Hotel was highly recommended, that you want the "graduation" rate, that you have AAA or whatever and get your reservation made. Then wait a week or so and call back asking for the manager. Let him know that you found it on Navy Dads, and that you're really hoping he can make your stay a little cheaper and see what happens. That's what I did and it worked well.
Mark
Douglas Gould said:Mark, that is great information. Thank you. We got a call from our son this morning and found out that he is not Grad and Go so I am ready to make reservations. Do you have a number to the place that you stayed and the name of the person(s) that you talked with. That sounds exactly what I am looking for. My wife and I will be taking our son's fiance and grandmother back with us so the two bedroom suite would be perfect.
Doug
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Permalink Reply by Shane Snyder on
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Hey Mark
Sounds like everything worked will for you guys and your trip. Sean made it to San Antonio, I talked to him for about an hour last night (he was able to take his Cell right away). Well good luck to you and your Son in Florida.
Shane
Mark said:Steven,
I did not go to the airport with my son... we left two days before he did. Definitely bring his cell- you just can't leave it with him. My son, David called me from Pensacola last night just after he arrived. He's heard that in a couple of weeks we'll be able to get him his laptop and cell.
Mark
Steven Shivers said:Mark
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Did you happen to go to the airport with your son? Mine is asking if we could bring his cell to the airport, Ohare I guess. So, I'm looking at flying in and out there now so we can all be with him the day after graduation.
Thanks again for your sons service and God bless.
Steve
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Permalink Reply by Norman Cantrelle on -
Mark,
Thanks for the info. That tip on the taxi is awesome as we are planning to drive up for PIR on 1/29. How far of a walk is it from where they drop you off to where you need to be for the PIR?
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Permalink Reply by Scott L. Waller on -
Thanks Mark Great tips. Our son's PIR is Feb.19 so this helps with our planning. Milwaukee airport sounds good, I'll have to look into that. Best part of that is the Harley Davidson Museum is in Milwwaukee. I bought myself a GPS for christmas with this trip in mind.
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Permalink Reply by Mark on
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Shane,
Great to hear from you! We got a couple of calls from David yesterday as well. He made it safe and sound and is ready to finally warm up! (It's cold but not arctic if you know what I mean). So happy everything worked out so well. Good luck to you and your son too, my friend!
Mark
Shane Snyder said:Hey Mark
Sounds like everything worked will for you guys and your trip. Sean made it to San Antonio, I talked to him for about an hour last night (he was able to take his Cell right away). Well good luck to you and your Son in Florida.
Shane
Mark said:Steven,
I did not go to the airport with my son... we left two days before he did. Definitely bring his cell- you just can't leave it with him. My son, David called me from Pensacola last night just after he arrived. He's heard that in a couple of weeks we'll be able to get him his laptop and cell.
Mark
Steven Shivers said:Mark
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Did you happen to go to the airport with your son? Mine is asking if we could bring his cell to the airport, Ohare I guess. So, I'm looking at flying in and out there now so we can all be with him the day after graduation.
Thanks again for your sons service and God bless.
Steve
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