Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

Comment

Comment by Kirk Brooks on June 8, 2009 at 7:21pm

Hi Otto, yeah I shoot with a DSLR so I was going to bring my 28-300 lens for the ceremony plus on-board flash for after. We're still waiting to find out if Holly's going to be Grad&Go so we're planning on her having to leave quickly but we'll be prepared if we get lucky and she has a real Liberty call. Thanks to all for their tips and info. It really did help in planning this out.

Comment by Otto Mueller on June 7, 2009 at 10:24pm

Oh yea, Kirk, be sure to be moving toward the big door with your sailor after Liberty is called... it quickly goes into mass hysteria. Kinda like the running of the bulls but a shorter track and a helluva lot more bulls!! But, man, what a great rush!! Seriously, it does get crazy pretty quick, your sailor knows what to do, follow their lead. This is your first "test" when it comes to trusting that your sailor has "got it together" and knows what they are doing.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on June 7, 2009 at 10:16pm

Hey Otto....tell Kirk about the chaos when Liberty is called!!!!!!!!

Comment by Otto Mueller on June 7, 2009 at 10:11pm

If you have a digital SLR camera (or even a film SLR) that is the way to go. I took my little Kodak digital and that was a mistake. The lighting is so crazy in the drill hall that the simple digital can't handle it. I didn't think you could take a large camera in, but as long as you don't drag in a big tripod, lighting kits, etc you are go to go on the larger camera. Navy Pier on the 4th rocks. The Chicago skyline is a truly unique one, especially at night. Don't forget your effect lens. Good luck with PIR. You are gonna love it. And you need lots of clean wipes, not for the camera lens, but for your eyes so you can see to take the picture. When those divisions come marching in, it will take your breath away.

Comment by Kirk Brooks on June 7, 2009 at 9:59pm

Hi Otto, after a bunch of thinking and figuring we decided to go for the car rental. There are actually some pretty good rates on full size vehicles right now. I just got all of our flights and hotel and car stuff reserved/booked and paid for. So we're good to go. We'll be staying through the weekend and celebrating the 4th in Chicago. As serious amateur photographers we hope to get a lot of good stuff at PIR plus we hope to do a lot of candid street shooting over the holiday.

Comment by Otto Mueller on June 7, 2009 at 6:00pm

Kirk, I was lucky because I live in downstate Illinois I drove my car. Honestly, I would recommend you do as John W. did and rent a car from the airport. Because you don't know what to expect when you're up there, having your own vehicle could come in handy. John took the shuttle from the Ramada, which I would still recommend doing. We were lucky that at the last minute we drove in to PIR cause my son was shipped out almost immediately and we were able to drive to Midway airport to be with him till the flight left. Gave us a few more hours. If on the other hand your sailor has weekend liberty, Metra (train) is the only way to go. Metra line station is just steps away from the RTC gate and you can park your car at the station, pay a $5 all day pass and ride all over Chicago and still get your sailor back in time to check in.

Comment by Kirk Brooks on June 6, 2009 at 8:01pm

Hi John, thanks for the info. Was that the Ramada Inn in Waukegan Gurnee? Also, what was rental rate out of O'Hare?
Tim-Thanks to you also for the link. We're trying to decide still on rental vs public transportation. Right now I'm leaning towards Metra Rail and the occasional cab. I keep thinking that traffic over the holiday weekend will be disasterous for the uninitiated. (815 mi. with a 5 month old! You are Braver than I)

Comment by NavyDads Admin, Tim on June 5, 2009 at 10:38pm

kirk here's you a link that will help you out: http://www.metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn.shtml we are 30 minutes east of OKC. yes the drive to P.I.R. was 815 miles with a 5 month old baby in tow. we stopped several time so it took us about 15 hrs. to make the trip, but it was nice to see a part of the country that we have never seen before.

Comment by Kirk Brooks on June 4, 2009 at 7:37pm

Hi Tim, thanks for the info. BTW, I live in Denver now, but I grew up in Arkansas and my uncle lives in OK City. I've been in your neck of the woods quite a few times. That must've been a heck of a drive. We're going to be there for a long weekend so I'm thinking we'll need a car plus we can't fly in 'til in the evening of the 30th so I'll have to ck out how late trains run.

Comment by NavyDads Admin, Tim on June 4, 2009 at 4:16pm

Kirk,
We drove up from Oklahoma and I can tell you that travel around O'hare isn't bad but we followed mapquest and it took us down toll roads someone from the area will know the ways to avoid all that traffic.
If you fly into O'hare and can get on the train that goes to great lakes (makes several stops along the way) it is cheap travel and only takes about an hour from chicago to GL. I know someone else on here took the train and stayed in one of the towns along the way. said that it was wonderful not having to worry about rental fees and gas prices. The cost of the train is $5 for the trip and if you keep your stub on the weekend you only pay once. just some food for thought.
My son is currently in G.L. and he and his wife go to Chicago alot they drive to the station from thier house and ride train back and forth.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 105
• 106
• 107
• 108
• 109
• …
• 113
• Next ›
• Page