My Exsperience today at P.I.R. 10-09-09

I went to P.I.R. today by myself for my husband. I wanted to share the things I saw and experienced because before I left I had a million and a half questions and a million different answers.
From O’Hare international airport I took a shuttle to my hotel, “go airport express” is who I used, phone number for them is… 18002843826. The total cost for them to drive me to my hotel and pick me up to take me back to O’hare was approx. $80.00
Personally I stayed at the Red Carpet Inn on Buckley rd, it is $49 per night.
Public Display of Affection “PDA” is not allowed. You can hug after meeting up with your sailor when they “call liberty”. As long as you are on base there is no hand holding and no kissing, no “PDA”. There is a certain way your sailor can escort you and only that way. The RDCs are very strict and very serious.
KEEP IN MIND EVEN THOUGH THEY GRADUATED THEY CAN BE THROWN BACK INTO BOOTCAMP AND DO IT OVER.
Your sailor has to be in uniform the entire weekend. (But behind closed doors no one knows) I brought a change for my husband to wear around the hotel room.
If your sailor has weekend liberty, you have to have them returned on TIME!!! If they are even one minute late, their liberty is revoked for the entire weekend.
If they are caught sneaking electronics such as cell phone/I-pod/ Ect. They will be thrown back into bootcamp and may have to start from the very begining. So don’t risk it.
I have heard absolutely nothing about a "traveling radius" for our sailors. Infact, my husband RDC ordered him to travel Chicago before he was stationed for A school.
You can wear jeans to PIR!!! There is no "dress code." Personally I wore dress clothes but I know for a fact there is no “Dress code”
There is a security check in if you arrive by cab/shuttle.
They stamp your left hand at the security clearance and you have to show that stamp to get into the "Midway Ceremonial Hall"
There are sailors on watch just to direct you to the building.
The walk from the front gate to the hall is about a quarter of a mile maybe even less. Personally I shoved flip flops in my purse and changed into them when I had to walk.
The shuttle provided by red carpet inn will allow you to bring your sailor aboard and come to the hotel with you. But you have to provide your own transportation for him back to RCT.
A local cab company is “Metro Yellow Checker” the phone number for them is 847-526-2227.
I made a reservation for husband to be returned to RTC. His scheduled pick up was 7pm and they were here on time. His liberty check in time was 8pm.
Today was only my first day of four so I will have more information eventually. I thought this might help for now.
If you have questions please message my page. Do not post here. I will not check it.