So, we FINALLY got our Orders the Tuesday before Holiday Block Leave. As we've come to find out, it wasn't the best timing. Of course, everything has been closed most of the time we've been trying to figure stuff out and Ryan had absolutely no time that week before leave to visit Transportation. Rather than rehashing the rather frustrating experience so far, I want to share with you what I have found out that I think will be helpful.
This is our first move and it's straight out of AIT so I'm sure other experiences are different but this is what I've found for our situation:
1. SHIPPING HHG (home goods): Your solider has to be the one to handle the move, at least shipping. He or she must go to their Transportation Office in person with their orders and only then will they be helped.
- Long story short we were filling out the shipping information on Move.mil (self-counseling) but came across a question so when Ryan found a business day to call them they told him they couldn't tell him anything until he came in. So, we pretty much spent two weeks worrying and trying to figure this out when we could have just been relaxing and enjoying the holidays. Ugh.
2. SHIPPING CAR: Shipping your car is relatively easy. First, the Army will not pay for this if your move is CONUS (in the continental US) so if you want to ship your car and fly to your destination, as we are, then you're bearing the cost yourself. I just googled "car shipping" or something like that and came across a website where you can type in your info and tons of people call and email you with quotes. It's a little annoying but you get a good idea of what a reasonable price is.
- Here's what the broker I went with told me: 1) if they offer you a military discount it's actually the exact same price another person without the discount would charge you, they're just starting higher (may or may not be true), 2) don't go with the cheapest person - it's like anything, there's usually a catch or they'll take your money and then deliver you car three weeks late. Just do a little research and chatting with the brokers and find someone you trust. We're shipping our Pathfinder from Oregon to North Carolina for $1125. Cheaper than some, more than others. Door to door, $100,000 in insurance, no hidden costs and fees. You give them a three-day window to pick it up and then it's delivered between 7-10 later. Only annoying thing is they don't take personal check or credit/debit so we have to have cash or money order. Not terrible, just somewhat inconvenient. I understand why. We're scheduling it so Ryan will have it as early as a day after landing in NC.
It took me about 2 weeks to get to the point of accepting that first fact about not having any control and having to wait until the last minute to do anything. I'm a huge planner (I'm told the Army will teach me to be flexible) and I like things scheduled and orderly. Doing things short notice with a two-year-old sucks but obviously that's what I have to do. I'm hoping it all goes smoothly and quickly once Ryan heads back to AIT in a couple days. My military friends said a cross country shipment could take about three weeks so if we get a house quickly we'll definitely be borrowing some items.
3. PACKING/PLANNING: I hadn't been put a lot of thought into packing. But, with shipping the car I get to put about 100 pounds of stuff into the car as long as it's lower than the windows. So, I'm approaching packing like this: 1) what I want on the plane, 2) what I want upon arrival (i.e. checked at the airport), 3) what I need/want immediately or soon after I get there, 4) what I can live without until our HHG's arrive. It's been helpful to work backwards and also to know what baggage I'm willing to check and what I can realistically put in the car. The car has actually been a real blessing because I can put diapers, a few toys, and clothes in there and only check a couple bags at the airport. Definitely give yourself a few days to do this process, even if you're having packers pack all of your belongings.
I think that's about it for now. Our next big question is about shipping our HHGs. Our stuff is in two locations. A storage unit at our Home of Record and where I'm currently living at Ryan's mom's house. They're more than 50 miles apart. We were never told this would be a problem but apparently there's a fine involved if your second pick up (if you have one) is far away.
Worst case scenario we pack up the house, rent a U-Haul, and drive it down to the storage unit. It's just frustrating when recruiters say it'll be fine. I'm coming to find out recruiters tell you anything is fine to get you to sign on the line. Ugh.
I'm looking forward to keeping you up-to-date on the whole process. On a side note, Ryan's HOME!!!!! and it's been wonderful. I'll make sure to post about that too because there's been an adjustment period that he didn't expect (but I did) so it's good to prepare your soldier if you have kids.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
~Laura
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