PIR 21 JUNE 2013 EXPERIENCE

Well here is our experience on the trip to my sons PIR on 21 June 2013.  This is a little long, but well worth it.  We arrived on Wednesday to Chicago from Texas.

Lesson 1 – we didn’t rent a car to get around we took the GO shuttle in the
airport to Great Lakes.  We had made room reservations at the Navy Gateway Inn & Suites for our stay in Great Lakes.  When I asked how much it would cost for us
(4) to get the base $80.00 plus tax one way. It took about 45 minutes to arrive
at the base, but we couldn’t get into the base in the cab.   When I got out of the car I asked how much it would cost to get back to the airport he told us $70.00 plus tax.

Lesson 2 – The base only allows cabs to go on base from the visitor center to the PIER
525 cab point inside the base.  When we arrived the only cabs at the visitor center couldn’t go on base.  Not all cabs can get on base.  So we had to walk the 1.3 miles to Gateway Inn pulling a large suitcase and 3 carry-ons bags. The staff at Gateway Inn was outstanding.  We got our rooms and walked to get something to eat.  We ate at the Samuel Adams every day for lunch and dinner.  Outstanding staff and a real Star waitress named APRIL the best.  The big day we had to walk to the gate to get
a cab to get to the PIR.  The cost was 4.00 plus 1.00 per person total one way.  I talked
him down to 3.00 per person.  The one thing that I learned is the price for a cab ride anywhere is based on what you’re willing to pay.  No set price for any trip.  The PIR was outstanding with many tears and pride in our new sailor.  Here is my trip help for our trip.  We departed the PIR and found an honest cab driver when we left.  His name is Gary.  He picked us up and took us back on base and we talked about going to the airport worked out a price for the trip.  We gave us his card and we got out of the cab and found we had forgotten our camera.  We called him and he told us he found it in the back of the cab.   He took us the airport and returned the lost camera to us.  The price was 50.00 for the trip.  I gave him a tip for keeping our camera safe.  Here is Gary’s
info: 224-717-1712 if you need an outstanding driver call him he will take care of
you.  I hope this helps.