PIR : Graduation Day Advice

Comment by Marty (Kelly's mom) on September 23, 2009 at 11:56pm

Jamie-I've still got a few weeks to go, but have read from others here that it can take an hour to get through security and depending on where you are staying, traffic can be a problem. One mom wrote that she stayed 10 min. away and it took 45 min to get to the base. You must be in your seat by 8:45. Someone else, however, wrote that they left at 7:30 and were on base by 8:00. So it must depend on how many divisions are going through PIR that day. Anyway, I hope that gives you dome idea.

Comment by Marty (Kelly's mom) on September 23, 2009 at 11:57pm

Go to the Forums and there is one just about PIR - lots of info there, too, as well as a discussion that I think is under the group Boot camp moms.

Comment by kbolby7 on September 24, 2009 at 1:18pm

We got there by 6:15am and just waitied in line. We didn't drive in though, we took a shuttle from the hotel we stayed at so we got in pretty quickly. If you drive into the base, be prepared to wait for a long time while they inspect your car...make sure to have the invitation & parking permit with you and all ID's ready to be checked. I would also ensure that your car is really cleaned out & emptied of unnecessary items...they open trunks, hoods, doors and everything that opens up...they are required to do a thorough inspection for the safety of the sailors,base,friends & family that are there. When you get to the place where they graduate, there are signs on the floor showing you where the division will be standing when they arrive into the auditorium. It's a long walk there too, not horrible, but pretty long...so be prepared for some exercise. ENJOY & Congrats!!!!

Comment by carolinagurl on September 24, 2009 at 3:38pm

Take a shuttle from your hotel if you can, otherwise get ther by at least 6am the line gets really long quick & you have to go through security. But shuttle is the BEST way to go, they go past all the cars & jump in front of the line. LOL

Comment by Michigan Cindy on September 24, 2009 at 5:34pm

When I was there in August, the hotel shuttles (2 of them) were filled, and they said they would return to get us in a half hour. This was at 7:15. After waiting about 10 - 15 minutes, Johnnie the Cab showed up and announced that he could take 4 people for $5/person. We jumped in, he got us there quickly, dropped us off at the gate and we had to wait in line for less than two minutes. So that turned out well for us.

Comment by highlander on September 24, 2009 at 5:35pm

When we went to graduation we entered late but that helped with security. We went through quickly and we parked near the area you enter to get to graduation. They didn't begin until we walked through must have been waiting for all to get through. it was beautiful Ian had over 800 graduating all together. I could see him very well I would suggest that you order the video as all the pics don't come out inside the graduation. Good luck and congratulations.
Joan

Comment by melissa44646 on October 27, 2009 at 1:39pm

There is a long line of cars waiting to get throught the gate, but they keep traffic moving smoothly and rapidly.

Comment by USS PEARL HARBOR SAM'S MOM on July 19, 2011 at 10:41am

would it be best to take a cab so you don't have any shuttle concerns??

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