For Those Attending PIR- Great Lakes
Arrived at O’Hare (Nov 18, 2009) having made reservations at the Quality Inn-Waukegan (2.9 miles from Great Lakes Recruit Training Command) and Ace Rent a Car. Ace Rent a Car provides a discount to families attending Navy boot camp graduation. My son was Grad and Go and what I found of extreme value was their willingness to allow me to leave the vehicle at their lot and shuttle me to O’Hare so that I could be with my son at the USO for the few hours before he departed. When you are ready to return to your vehicle, they will send a shuttle to pick you up. The Quality Inn- Waukegan was clean, reasonable, and just north of the Naval Base on Green Bay Road. They provide a continental breakfast and shuttle (leaves motel at 7:15) to and from the Naval Base. For those desiring more food options, the GoJo Café is next door and offers a varied menu with reasonable prices and is open 24 hours.
When you arrive at O’Hare, proceed to the baggage claim area. Look for the red overhead sign that tells you where to catch the shuttle. You will take an escalator down from the baggage claim area and proceed through the tunnel following the signs. When you come to the red elevators, take one to the first floor. Ace Rent a Car will tell you what door to wait in front of for shuttle pickup. They will provide you with a map to get to the Naval Base or surrounding area.
When you head out with your vehicle, you will travel for a short distance to eventually head north on I-294. Once you get on, stay to the right and you will approach the toll area. You will see $ cash lanes and these have an attendant on duty. It will cost you $1. It is approximately 30 miles from O’Hare airport to the main gate at Great Lakes Naval Base. On the return trip to O’Hare, stay in the middle lane. Eventually you will see the sign to O’Hare Airport. This exit comes up quick and it is currently (as of Nov 23, 2009) only a narrow single lane due to surrounding construction. The $ lanes are to your left, the toll is $.80, and it is unattended. It is the only toll you pay coming back on I-294 if returning from the Naval Base area.
Graduation Day: If you are driving to the base, leave early. Line starts to form about 5:45am and the gate does not open until 6:30. Even though I had a rental, I took a shuttle from the motel which I had made a reservation with for a 6:15 pickup ($12). It dropped me off at the main gate just as it opened. You are directed to the visitor center where you will be asked for identification and they will check your name with the guest list provided by your sailor to be. They will stamp your hand. You will then proceed to the graduation hall where they will ask you to show your stamp. You will not be allowed in without it. The place does get full and fairly crowded. Having said this, everyone was courteous of others. I was one of the first ones in which allowed me to have a choice top bleacher (with the wall to my back) from which I could see the activities and photograph unobstructed. As others have posted before me, DO NOT take your camera out until you are inside the graduation hall. Shuttles and cabs will be waiting by the main entrance if that was your transportation to the base. The fares are reasonable. It cost me $12 for both myself and my son who was able to spend a few hours with me.
Having a GPS will be of extreme value, it was for me. I have gone on enough. Hope this information is helpful and makes your trip less stressful. Congratulations to the families and thank you for your sailor to be for serving our country. I know you are as proud of them as I am of mine.
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Gary,
With respect to Grad and Go, your son will be able to tell you when he gets close to graduation. They depart from either O'Hare or Midway. My son's flight left at noon on Saturday so I was able to get to O'Hare about 5 am and spend close to six hours with him at the USO. The majority of his group headed to the same A school left at 5:15 am. So it varies. I had already booked through Monday so I had a few extra days on my own. It does make it hard not knowing earlier and difficult to plan your trip, but those few hours I had with him and attending the PIR are moments I will cherish forever. As far as the guest list, it will all depend on the number of graduating divisions. Normally at least 12 divisions graduate. My son's PIR on November 20 had 7 divisions and there were at least 565 new sailors. You can request through your son, but most likely it will come down to the four he initially identifies. Good luck to your son and to you and your family.
Great information! I was curious about Grad and Go. Is there a general time frame that most sailors leave from O'Hare? My son will be going to San Diego for A-School. I would love to see him off at the airport, but understand that in many cases, the sailor won't know much in advance as to their flight schedule. That makes it difficult to plan our leave date and time. My son's PIR is set fir Jan 15th. Also, is there a line for a wait list for "extra" family members not able to be on the list?
Oscar great info we are looking at the same hotel airport and car rental. Like to ask a question about the grad pack when did you get it and what was enclosed in it we are trying to figure out if my son will be grad and go. Please advise Thank You
Replies
With respect to Grad and Go, your son will be able to tell you when he gets close to graduation. They depart from either O'Hare or Midway. My son's flight left at noon on Saturday so I was able to get to O'Hare about 5 am and spend close to six hours with him at the USO. The majority of his group headed to the same A school left at 5:15 am. So it varies. I had already booked through Monday so I had a few extra days on my own. It does make it hard not knowing earlier and difficult to plan your trip, but those few hours I had with him and attending the PIR are moments I will cherish forever. As far as the guest list, it will all depend on the number of graduating divisions. Normally at least 12 divisions graduate. My son's PIR on November 20 had 7 divisions and there were at least 565 new sailors. You can request through your son, but most likely it will come down to the four he initially identifies. Good luck to your son and to you and your family.