Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

Comment

Comment by Chris Wilkins on September 30, 2009 at 6:07pm

Bob,
I had heard nightmare stories about getting a car in to the base, therefore we elected to walk from The Navy Lodge. It is about a one mile walk. I had my wife and daughters up bright and early, and we were on base by 0630, after leaving at 0555.
There is really no traffic between the lodge and the base, so you are only talking about a few minutes in the car. The line of cars at 0630 was about a block long, but from what I have heard here, the wait was not that bad. I tend to be a little early and overprepared for these types of things.
We drove to the base on both Sat. and Sun., and parked in the Chapel parking lot with relative ease as we awaited our son. He had liberty starting at 0800. Of course after seeing the base come to a complete halt on Saturday for colors, I made it a point to be there early on Sunday.
If the Anthem gives you goosebumps like it does me, this is an experience that you DO NOT want to miss! I was never in the military, so it is the first time that I experienced anything like it. God Bless and good luck!

Comment by Andrew Ross on September 30, 2009 at 4:13pm

We flew into Milwaukie from So. Cal. (family of four: $913 return on Air Tran) and rented a car (Toyota Camry: $159). The drive was fine, about 45 minutes with average traffic. The traffic problems I found were on the US41, US43 and the city streets around the base ... horrible! Do yourself a favor and stay close to RTC.

Chris, funny you should mention morning colors. We were walking from checking in when 0800 struck. There was construction taking place nearby and we were unable to hear the music. Thank God there were more sailors/recruits than you could shake a stick at to cue us to what was taking place ... LOL! Most everyone else kept walking to the hall for graduation.

Comment by Edward Davis on September 30, 2009 at 3:20pm

Hey it's Chicago when is it not road construction at lease there won't be snow on the ground, wait we are talking about Chicago nevermind.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on September 30, 2009 at 2:22pm

if you're used to insane traffic and construction everywhere you should be ok. I've done two PIR's --if I went again I'd fly into Milwaukee....about the same distance but mucho easier from other posts that I've read.

Comment by Bob Russell on September 30, 2009 at 2:07pm

Chris, We are also doing flight (O' Haire), Navy Lodge and rental car. Mark's PIR is Oct. 9. How was your experience driving the rental car to RTC? I have heard that there is much highway construction. Was this the case?

Comment by Chris Wilkins on September 30, 2009 at 1:14pm

That is how I felt! He only graduates once, so at the very least everyone was going. Wife, 2 daughters, and myself. We ate on a budget, but got everyone there...
Airline tickets to Midway for 4...$886
4 nights at the Navy Lodge... $260
4 day Rental car...$220
Seeing your son graduate bootcamp...priceless
Seeing 0800 colors on the Navy Base...priceless

Comment by Andrew Ross on September 30, 2009 at 12:36pm

Chris,

Wow, I guess we missed the deal on the water taxi. Like I said, they charged us $7 a person one way to each destination ... very expensive! We dined at sit-down restaurants the entire weekend, which ended up costing us a lot! I think we burned through $1000 this weekend with all we did. What the heck, he only gets to graduate once ... thank God! LOL!

Comment by Chris Wilkins on September 30, 2009 at 10:31am

Andrew,
I just looked at the water taxi ticket again. It was $6/person for a Weekend All day pass, valid for one day only...but trust me, we got our moneys worth. We turned our taxi ride into a tourist trip, from China Town to Navy Pier...to Navy Pier after the free 4 1/2 block trolley ride...I apologize though, it was not a full weekend pass.
The train ticket, however was a weekend special. We bought the tickets right on the train for $5/person, good for the whole weekend. All in all it was a great trip, and fairly inexpensive considering. We kept our meals fairly inexpensive as well. 5 Points Chicago Hot Dogs was a good fast food, as well as the Full Moon Cafe if you like a greasy spoon...Billy Goats Cheeseborgers on Navy Pier were excellant.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on September 29, 2009 at 9:17pm

good reminder Jim...everyone has to remember that RTC is an active military base and that we are engaged in combat in other parts fo the world. Safety and security to our troops and sailors has to be foremost in everyone's mind!

Comment by Andrew Ross on September 29, 2009 at 6:05pm

Chris,

Sounds like you had the scoop before you left. We looked into the train and it seemed more costly than what you paid. Also, we used the water taxi once, to get to the aquarium, and it cost us just shy of $60 to get there and back. What was the cost of a weekend pass? I didn't see it advertised at the ticket booth.

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