NAVY BOOT CAMP

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Comment by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on April 25, 2015 at 11:43am

...and for what it is worth, we were very pleased with Courtyard Marriott. It is right across from a big plaza with a WalMart and multiple restaurants for breakfast and dinner. Everything that we needed was readily available. Plan on attending Sarge's Meet & Greet if you can. He will answer any questions or concerns that you may have at the last minute! Enjoy the moment when it arrives...it is a "once in a lifetime" event for you and your family!

Comment by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on April 25, 2015 at 11:28am

Don...My sailor headed to San Antonio for MA School. She flew out of Midway. We rented a car when we arrived and stayed at the Courtyard Marriott ( right near Sarge's place by the way). Having the rental allowed us to get around for dinner after PIR and get Caity back to base that evening. We then met her at Midway and spent most of the afternoon together before she departed for A School on Saturday. We flew home on Sunday. I would recommend a rental just to give you some flexibility, but whatever works best for you.....

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 25, 2015 at 11:12am

Both times I flew in I had a rental....it gives you some flexibility with liberty after PIR.  In general the sailors want a long hot shower, a steak/pizza/meal, and some downtime....remember PIR liberty is THEIR time so you have to be able to chill and respond to what they want to do or not to do as the case may be.  And I don't know what your flight plans are- I few into Midway for one PIR and into O'Hare for the other.....next time I would plan to fly into Milwaukee....much less congested and an easy drive down to Great Lakes.  I've never used Sarge's services, but I know a ton of folks that have and I've heard he goes out of his way for Sailors and their family....that is not an "official" endorsement by ND- just what I've heard and read over the years! And you caught me with my second cup of coffee...now it's time for laundry and chores!

Comment by Don Harvey on April 25, 2015 at 11:02am

Also, I can see that having a rent car might be good for getting to restaurants, but if low-cost shuttles or taxi's are readily available for this, I'll nix the car.

Comment by Don Harvey on April 25, 2015 at 10:59am

Paul, you're amazing, you must be monitoring these posts all the time. Thank you again. Reading between the lines, I'm hearing "Taxi/shuttle less of a hassle than renting a car," good assumption? Also, seems like reservations at both airport hotels with 24hr cancellation won't cut it as we might have to cancel 5 mins in advance & have to pay for both hotels ... Not doin' that! I take it Sarge's letter is highly accurate & the best guide available, yes? Any other insights greatly appreciated. My wife & I (well, especially my wife) are planners, so we'll need to stop planning so much & go with the flow ...

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 25, 2015 at 10:35am

I've been to two PIRs...drove on base for one and took a shuttle for the other.....it is up to you, but I'd consider a shuttle/taxi.  In the PIR group we have a map and a how to by-pass the Buckley Road traffic nightmare if you do drive....last week I saw Sarge posted on his FB page that the traffic was backed up a mile on Buckley Road on Friday trying to get onto the base. For PIR you have to plan to be flexible - he may need to be at the airport in the middle of the night and then not fly out for hour and hours....it's the way it is.  He has to take official transportation and cannot leave the airport- hence the pass to wait with him at the gate. And he may not be able to tell you his orders until the last possible moment so planning is tough- but we all survived the PIR chaos as will you! 

Comment by Don Harvey on April 25, 2015 at 10:23am

Thanks so much Tom and Paul!! Our son will be heading to A School at Lackland in San Antonio. It would be great to know which airport ahead of time; if that's not possible we could make airport hotel reservations at both airports and cancel the one he's NOT flying out of 24hrs in advance. Any insights or advice on this? Another question is whether to rely on Sarge's taxi, or rent a car. Thanks again, your Responses, experience & knowledge are greatly appreciated!!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 25, 2015 at 9:59am

Exactly right Tom...the majority fly out of O'Hare but a significant number out of Midway.  When he checks in at ticketing you can request a pass to wait with him at the gate.  You'll have to go thru security so no bazookas !

Comment by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on April 25, 2015 at 9:55am

Don...could be either/or depending upon where they are heading for A School. Your SR will be able to tell you when the time comes. You can get a Gate Pass to accompany them until Departure.

Comment by Don Harvey on April 25, 2015 at 9:47am

Does anyone know which airport they leave from; Midway or O'Hare? Thank you!,

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