PCS alone, need hints/advice

Poppy1213 · July 2012

Hello out there!

I am going to be facing my first PCS in 2 weeks. My DH is not able to be here, any advice on what to do or tips on making it a smooth as possible pcs? I just started 3rd trimester to day and I have my 7 year old to help but any advice would be welcome.( starting to get a little nervous doing this alone for the first time)

Thank you!

F15Wife · July 2012

Take pictures of everything in your house. I know it sounds crazy but worth it in case something happens. Taking video works too. Just a snapshot of the entire room from different angles works. Take pics of the more valuable items.

If you are driving to your next station take valuables with you in the car. Jewlery, pictures ect.....Things you couldn't bear to lose if something happened.

To make moving and unpacking SO MUCH easier I wash my dishes then pack my silverware and cooking utensile into large ziplocks. That way when you get to your new house they are ready to put straight into the drawer. I do this as well with kids toys and linens. I wash the towels and sheets and put them in vaccum bags. Again they are ready to go when you get your new house.

I take my pictures off the wall and put them down in the room that is to be packed up. When I unpack my pictures that go in that room are in those boxes.

Those are my major must-dos...hope it helps.

ufsandra85 · July 2012

i am lazy and do nothing but make sure everything is off the walls. then i sit back and make the marks on the movers sheet. i used to do a ton of preparing and then found it still took me just as long to put everything away so i stopped. the less work the better for me

ufsandra85 · July 2012

i also dont take pictures but in 9 moves we have had nothing lost so i really trust movers

MiahT · July 2012

I second the recommendation to pack up anything you can't replace or will be heartbroken to lose and take it with you. Our first PCS ended with several wedding mementos destroyed due to poor packing by the movers (they put DH's printer in a box on top of my freeze dried bouquet with only some paper between them as cushioning for one example) and my very pretty but surprisingly fragile and rarely worn wedding ring stolen out of the box it was stored in. Box arrived just fine, but the ring was gone.

On the other hand, our next two PCS moves went like clockwork. Nothing missing, nothing damaged, awesome packers and very helpful delivery guys. I still make a point to pack important things to move in our car rather than on the moving truck, though.

NSL · July 2012

Set aside a closet or bathroom and put everything in there that you don't want the movers to pack. Anything you're bringing with you on the drive/plane needs to be separated out before they get there. Also, now is a good time to go through your pantry and get rid of/donate any shelf-stable foodstuffs that you don't want or need.

Good luck!

hbbmama · July 2012

Make sure to hand carry your medical records. Usually they transfer fine, but it with being so late in your pregnancy, make sure you get a copy to take with you just in case they get lost or take a while. Also I just saw someone having issues finding a new OB while PCSing in the 3rd trimester. Call ahead and make your next appointment ahead of time if possible so that is one less thing to figure out when you get there.
Like everyone has already said, take pictures of large items, and take with you in the car, or plane anything you couldn't stand to loose. So far our moves have been good, but my sister-in-law lost all her dishes when one of her boxes disappeared.
Take out the trash and recycling before the movers come, they will pack EVERYTHING! We unpacked and found our recycling last time.
Make sure you don't pack the check book. We moved to a rural area and had to pay deposits to utilities in either cash or check, no cards. Good luck!

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