PIR 3/27 - so far.. making the best of everything
We booked our plane and car rental thru Orbitz. Fare was reasonable and we reserved a van thru Budget. Here's what happened and I hope none of you have to go thru this. There were six of us and our plane sitting arrangement was okay, my husband and I sat on row 41 and the girls (4) on row 35 & 36, at least they're together. However, I found out our flight back - we are all scattered throughout the plane so the minute we arrived O'Hare, I went to the ticket counter and was told to come in an hour early prior to our departure and they will make the necessary arrangement to get us all seated together. (I will let you all know how United handle this on Monday).
Be prepared the airport is big and very confusing.. we had to find our way to baggage claim and it was a long walk.
We took the shuttle from Budget and the line was not the long but very slow. We got in the counter and found out that they do not have our reserved van. They try to give us a 5 passenger SUV and try to convince us that we all should fit and I told them no that's not going to work. We waited there for hours looking for a vehicle that will fit us. Either its poor management but the counter rep had to make my husband look for a car for us in the parking lot! I would have lost it there, but I was too tired to argue and we needed to get to our hotel and have a nice shower. (The flight was horrible - there were kids crying the whole time and we couldn't take a nap - mind you I had 4 kids and I do understand the parents and its not the kids fault It was just too crowded and they were bored or the pressure from the cabin was hurting their ears- but I was just too tired and wanted a nap on the plane but couldn't - I'm sure I wasn't the only one feeling this way on that plane.)
Going back to Budget - the manager had to step in - it's no ones fault but I think the management overlooked their reservation that day because there were other customers who had to wait in the long line to find out that they do not have the car they reserved. The manager gave us the same rate for the "big white van".
Lesson learned - be prepared to wait and arguing with customer rep is not going to get you anywhere. We were patient and friendly the whole time but I was boiling inside! WE were tired and hungry!
We checked in today at Homewood Suites - very nice front desk staff and they gave us info and directions to the Naval Training Center. The room is great! We had a 2br, 2ba suite @ $119 one room with a king size bed, and 2nd room had two full size bed, the living room had a pull out couch that could fit two people. We ordered pizza at Lou Malnati's in Lake Forrest - they delivered it to our room. Yummy!
We all took a shower after getting our basic necessities at Walgreens and fell asleep. Missed the meet and greet at Flanagans and going back to bed again after posting this. We are not too far away from the base but the Hotel is very nice, they have indoor swimming pool, complimentary hot breakfast and dinner!
We will be taking our big white van in the base and we are leaving here at 5am to get in line. We will be eating breakfast in the van. I will let you all know what happen tomorrow.
Be prepared the airport is big and very confusing.. we had to find our way to baggage claim and it was a long walk.
We took the shuttle from Budget and the line was not the long but very slow. We got in the counter and found out that they do not have our reserved van. They try to give us a 5 passenger SUV and try to convince us that we all should fit and I told them no that's not going to work. We waited there for hours looking for a vehicle that will fit us. Either its poor management but the counter rep had to make my husband look for a car for us in the parking lot! I would have lost it there, but I was too tired to argue and we needed to get to our hotel and have a nice shower. (The flight was horrible - there were kids crying the whole time and we couldn't take a nap - mind you I had 4 kids and I do understand the parents and its not the kids fault It was just too crowded and they were bored or the pressure from the cabin was hurting their ears- but I was just too tired and wanted a nap on the plane but couldn't - I'm sure I wasn't the only one feeling this way on that plane.)
Going back to Budget - the manager had to step in - it's no ones fault but I think the management overlooked their reservation that day because there were other customers who had to wait in the long line to find out that they do not have the car they reserved. The manager gave us the same rate for the "big white van".
Lesson learned - be prepared to wait and arguing with customer rep is not going to get you anywhere. We were patient and friendly the whole time but I was boiling inside! WE were tired and hungry!
We checked in today at Homewood Suites - very nice front desk staff and they gave us info and directions to the Naval Training Center. The room is great! We had a 2br, 2ba suite @ $119 one room with a king size bed, and 2nd room had two full size bed, the living room had a pull out couch that could fit two people. We ordered pizza at Lou Malnati's in Lake Forrest - they delivered it to our room. Yummy!
We all took a shower after getting our basic necessities at Walgreens and fell asleep. Missed the meet and greet at Flanagans and going back to bed again after posting this. We are not too far away from the base but the Hotel is very nice, they have indoor swimming pool, complimentary hot breakfast and dinner!
We will be taking our big white van in the base and we are leaving here at 5am to get in line. We will be eating breakfast in the van. I will let you all know what happen tomorrow.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paula on -
Hi, CONGRATS on your PIR. I am so sorry all this happened to you. My PIR was back in Oct and we also stayed at the Homewood Suites, they are great there and very accomodating to navy families. Hope all went well, let me know.
Paula
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Permalink Reply by Elena Paulino on -
Hi Paula,
Thanks. Yes we are enjoying our stay here. :)
How is your son liking the Navy so far?
Elena
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Permalink Reply by Lisa C on -
Hi and Congrats on your PIR. Was wondering how you were able to obtain tickets for 6 people to attend? We will have 6 as well but were told only 4 tickets. Have a wonderful day !!!!!!!!!
Lisa
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Permalink Reply by Elena Paulino on
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HI LIsa,
You know just show up there with your group. The check in crew were great, we thought they were serious about not letting my 16 year old go with us that she had to wait in the van until a chair is available but they were just kidding around. They let us all in. So my advise, be together going there and have a great sense of humor. We sat on the very top of the bleacher which I think is the best spot, we get to stand up and cheer. We had the best view of our son we did the wave just to get his attention my husband had the zoom camera and caught him smiling when we did it. When you see that hangar door go up, you'll have a mixed emotion, I noticed my girls were crying and so was I. It was the most memorable moment and exciting. Try to be there early. It was cold during your walk from parking to check in area then to the hall. If you have someone who can't walk that far make sure you have a wheelchair for them. When we were walking I saw couple of elderly women having a hard time walking and I just feel so bad for them. We got to the gate before 6 am and there's already a waiting line of cars trying to get it. But the seat made a big difference for us. Good luck and enjoy every moment. My son is with us right now in our hotel room eating pizza and telling us stories. He changed a lot and he talked too much! :) The stories are great. I am so proud of him. He had to get back to the base before 9pm then we can pick him up again at 8 am, then back there again at 9pm on Saturday, then go to church at 7 am then drop him off at 5pm and we head to the airport to check in and go back home. He will be in Mississippi for 5 weeks.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa C on
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I am so Happy for your family !!!!!!!!!!!!! My son is scheduled to leave for BC on May 26 but I have heard that some are getting delayed as some of the schools are backed up. Enjoy your time.
Peace,
Lisa
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Permalink Reply by Elena Paulino on
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Hi Debra,
Yes we did :) We get to attend the base church with our son on Sunday only if you want to. Since it starts at 7 am (and their release was at 8am) we attended the church to see him early. After church we went back to our hotel and ate breakfast there then packed up our belongings and checked out. We went to the movies afterward and ate lunch at a pizzeria. We were rushing the whole time since we were leaving that day but we made the best of it. One thing if he has liberty that weekend, make sure that your son return to the base on time. They get in big trouble if they are late. Map out your activities that weekend and thanks to our cell phone navigator we were able to find places faster without getting lost. Although driving in Chicago is an experience in itself. Cab drivers has no mercy, they'll cut you off. Also we rented a van and ended up with the 12 passenger van which actually worked out very well. It had the toll box so all we had to is just go through toll booths without scrounging for coins. So if your rental car doesn't have one, bring coins you'll need it.
I'm so excited for you. The weekend was short but we enjoyed every minute of it with our son. He talked the whole time (unlike before it's a miracle to get 5 sentences from him). He looked great and very fit. The Navy bootcamp did good to him.
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Permalink Reply by Coleen on
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Our PIR is this Friday 4/3/09 and I can't wait to see my son. He was also a quiet one who I could hardly get 3 words out of. I am so nervous because I haven't heard from him since last week. I read here that his battle station is today so I have been anxious all day. Anyway thanks for the info about PIR. I didn't know we could go to church there. I'll write about my experience when I return.
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Permalink Reply by Elena Paulino on
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You will see big changes. I saw maturity and responsibility. He was holding the doors and chairs. Yikes, they've changed my son .. but for the better. I'm sure he will be okay. My son called me the following day when he passed his battle station. They will be up from 7:30 pm to 10:30 am. Take care!
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Permalink Reply by Coleen on
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Yeah!!! I heard from my son today and he passed Battle Stations. He sounded so proud when he told me he was now officially a sailor! I am soooo proud of him I can hardly contain myself. I can already hear the maturity in his voice. He goes to A school next week. I wish I knew that before I booked my flight back home on Sunday. The recruiter told me he would most likely be leaving on Sunday, so I thought we would spend Sunday in the airport together. Anyway, I'll make the most of the short time we have together. I still can't believe it's only a couple of days until I finally see him again.
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Permalink Reply by Elena Paulino on
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Coleen,
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Enjoy your time with your son. Where is he going for A school? What is he going to be doing in the Navy?
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Permalink Reply by Coleen on
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He's going to Pensacola and will be a CTT (computer related work). We live in Florida so I expect to be driving up to see him whenever he's given liberty. Can't wait!
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Permalink Reply by Robin Cook on -
Hi Debra,
My step-son is also graduating on 4/24. What division is your son in?? We are booking hotel's and airfare this week. Not sure where we are staying yet. And we are trying to find another ticket for my 11 year old son so he can attend as well. Look forward to hearing what division your son/daughter is in. Mine is TG 23 (10) Division 167. Ship is USS Hopper. I am getting excited!
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