Helpful Info from a dad who was just there
One Dads Navy Graduation Experience
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.
Mark
Tags: NEX, Navy Boot Camp Graduation, Navy Credit Union, Navy Exchange, Navy Graduation, NavyDads, PIR, PIR Experience, PIR Parking Pass, Pass in Review, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John B on -
My son's PIR is April 1. My wife and I will be driving up, arriving on March 31. We have reservations at the Navy Lodge, $65/night. I have seen others who stayed there post on these pages that it was a good experience. We are so looking forward to this.
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Permalink Reply by Frank Schenck on -
Thanks Mark.I like the idea of taking a taxi or shuttle.We are driving in from Colorado.We checked and our hotel has shuttle service to the PIR.I don't like the idea of sitting in line for who knows how long.
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Permalink Reply by Larry E Andrews Jr. on -
Thanks for the advise. I will pass this on to my son's mother and fiance. This will come in handy in about 4 weeks. Thanks Mark
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Permalink Reply by Frank Schenck on
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Hello Mark,Do you know if recruits can leave the base via shuttle or taxi?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Law on
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Thanks for the advice. I am now considering not renting a car, and getting a hotel closer to the base. I hate lines. Thanks again!
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Permalink Reply by Theresa on -
Anyone got information on the taxi's. I've seen that it's $3 a head but a friend told me taxi's are hard to come by. My son's PIR is 092311 and we are hoping to get a hotel that offers the shuttle but if not is there anyone who got phone numbers for a taxi service so I can call ahead to inquire?Thanks for the info it's all very helpful.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Quartararo on
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is there a shuttle from the navy lodge to graduation
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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on -
do not believe so...but you could probably get a taxi as it is very close
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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim on -
Robert, here is a link to the Navy Lodge, Great Lakes.
Navy Lodge, Great Lakes
Robert Quartararo said:is there a shuttle from the navy lodge to graduation
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Permalink Reply by Robert Quartararo on
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thank you for the link for navy lodge and thanks for the reply
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Permalink Reply by Dan (Zach's Dad) on -
Robert: when my family went to PIR and we stayed at the Navy Lodge... ask the front desk for who they recommend for the taxi. They will give you a business card of 2 companies... one of the guys name was Danny.... you just call and book your reservation time in the AM.. and he will meet you out front. then when it is time to leave... just give him a call and he will meet you right by the front gate. it cost us only a couple of $$ nothing to go broke on! It was well worth it as we didn't have to wait in the long line of cars trying to get in that was needing searched and what not! :) CONGRATS TO YOU AND YOUR SAILOR!
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Permalink Reply by Brad on -
Just a couple of tips to keep between us. Shhhhhh....
We stayed at the Navy Lodge. By far the closest hotel. They don't have a shuttle, but if your SR is staying in Great Lakes for A school, it was a time saver. We were running back and forth between the base and being just five minutes away was worthwhile. BTW, it is the cheapest hotel and no taxes. You also get the shopping privileges at the NEX, which is also a much cheaper place to buy stuff.
Also, here's the secret stuff, but don't tell everyone. If you are driving to the base, on the same street you go in, is a train station. You can avoid the long line to get into the base by driving up the left lane and park in the train station parking lot. $2 for all day, and a shorter walk to get into PIR.
Another tip, when you can go get your grad from the Great Lakes A school ( a whole different place from graduation), they made us drive to his barracks and check him out. Make sure and ask for a two day pass. They don't tell you that you can do this, but it will save you much time for the next day. We didn't and had to wait twice.
Expect a lot of waiting. Expect a lot of rules.
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