How do they get to the airport?

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Permalink Reply by Robin (Trae's Mom) on November 28, 2008 at 9:08am

Not sure about the price of a taxi to the airport from base. Could she not take the train into the city and get as close to the airport as possible, then maybe take the bus or a taxi from there? Not from that area at all but when my son was in school in GL they took the train into the city very often.

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Permalink Reply by Paula on November 28, 2008 at 10:17am

Yes that is correct, it is up to the sailor to get where they need to be. Doesn't seem fair does it? My son is leavign for Pensacola and as far as I know the airport is not close to come home for Christmas. :(

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Permalink Reply by Cyndy on November 30, 2008 at 3:14pm

Paula - the Pensacola airport is only 20 minutes from the base. My son has a car there and drives there all the time. They also have shuttles and taxi's that take them from the base to the airport. The code for the Pensacola airport is PNS. He was just up here for Thanksgiving and will be flying in and out for Christmas. The only problem is because it is not a huge airport, he often has to fly to a bigger airport and ultimately take three legs to get here to Michigan.

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Permalink Reply by intheknow on November 28, 2008 at 12:12pm

I don't understand why it is unfair for a Sailor to pay their own way for their trip home.

The Navy will always take care of the cost of travel on official business but it isn't the Navy's responisbility to pay for taxis for leave and liberty.

I would advise your Sailor to go to the ITT office and inquire about shuttle discounts. Or she needs to plan on taking public transportation "The Train" to the airport. She needs to calculate an additional 2.5 hours to get there. It is free for active duty in uniform and less than $10 if not. Here is the route:

Take the train at the GL station to Chicago. She boards on the West platform The side closest to the NSTC base. Here is the schedule
http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn_wki.shtml
Get off at Ogilvie station. Cross the street to the Blue line. Take the Blue Line to O'hare. Blue line schedule is here http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/rail/Rail.html

Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Hoppi on November 28, 2008 at 2:53pm

I don't see why people think it is unfair a Sailor pays their own way to the airport. Does anyones job pay for them to get to the airport when they take vaction? Or does the job make sure you get back to work from vacation.

Sailors don't have to go on leave if they don't want to take it.

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Permalink Reply by Mamma Mary on November 30, 2008 at 12:32pm

I guess the difference is when I go on vacation I can drive my car from my house to the airport. Or I can have a friend, neighbor, family member give me a ride if I choose to not leave my car at the airport. At Great Lakes, they are without all of those things. I think an inexpensive way (shuttle) for them to get there and back would be appropriate.

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Permalink Reply by Hoppi on November 30, 2008 at 2:46pm

If students have a car in GL, they can drive it to the airport. Or if one of their Shipmates have a car they can have them drive them to the airport.

There is an inexpensive shuttle. All the students need to do is talk to their SDC's about where to buy a ticket for the shuttle. The shuttle is leaving from pier 525 on the 19th Dec. The students might be stuck at the airport for a few hours before thier flight, but their is the USO they can hang out at where there will be free food, drinks, small gifts, movies being played, lounge chairs they can crash on, even people who will wake them up so they get to their flight on time :~} There will also be a large number of Military (staff from the base) there keeping an eye on the students.

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Permalink Reply by Tracy, Proud Mom of Darryl on December 1, 2008 at 1:43am

Thanks hoppi for this information, I will be sure to mention this to my son when he call me on Monday.

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Permalink Reply by Robin (Trae's Mom) on November 29, 2008 at 10:18am

I agree with Hoppi. Why is it unfair that they have to pay for their own vacation? They get housing, utilities, room...mind you I am grafteul for ALL the things my sailor receives, but there has to be a limit, they have to learn a little financial responsiblity.

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on November 30, 2008 at 12:21pm

Have your daughter check into the shuttles that they are going to have running on the 19th from GL to o'Hare. Understand they have a great rate of $20 per sailor.

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Permalink Reply by NicksNavyMom(Robin) on December 2, 2008 at 12:01pm

Nick usually got together with a few more Sailors who were leaving and shared a ride with them....and he also said that when all the cabbies gather round you can usually haggle with them for a cheaper fare.....Also the shuttle that works around the base and the Navy Lodge....Universal Shuttle I think... the older genteman who drives is a sweetheart..costs quite a bit less than most of the other cabs...They will give you the # if you call Navy Lodge....I called and got it for my son before....

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