Back to Cleveland for an amazing night in the Center of the Sports Universe!
Oct 27, 2016, 1:25 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
As a long suffering Houston, TX sports fan color me jealous of that evening. Looks like an awesome time but I have to say Go Cubs! Sorry in advance. 
Oct 30, 2016, 8:28 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
As I finish this one off today, the amazing Indians are 1 win away from a World Series Championship. 
With no hotel room for the night, I walked over to the Ritz-Carlton, retreived my backpack from valet and headed upstairs to the lobby comfy bar. Over the next couple of hours, I enjoyed a few G&Ts with a few new found friends.
Last call was at 2am and the bar staff left around 2:45a but I set up shop and office at a comfy table. For the next two hours, I did a little work and edited some 900 pics from today. Then headed downstairs just before 5am and took a taxi for the quick 15 minute drive to the airport.
After some $30 million in mostly vanity renovations, this doesn't look much different than before.
Strange TSA setup at the B security checkpoint.
Nice big Pre-Check signs and a Pre-Check lane that looked like it went absolutely nowhere, except to the end of the regular security line with about 100 people in line. I didn't find out until I posted in the CLE thread that this was indeed the PreCheck security area. I'd never seen so many people in a PreCheck line so I figured it was just regular security. I left this checkpoint and walked to go over the C checkpoint, where the Pre-Check lane had just opened. I was the 4th or 5th person and was in and out in no time.
United has relocated all of its gates to the distant "banjo" part of the concourse, leaving a lot of empty gates on the west side of C concourse, most of them missing jet bridges. Going Places? LOL, not from those gates.
And to the United Club for the next 90 minutes or so.
CLE-LAX
UA 1981
737-800
7:25a-9:20a (sked)
7:25a-8:55a (actual)
October 26, 2016
In the World Series spirit, all UA gates sport Indians banners and CLE United agents are all wearing Indians shirts, jerseys or sweaters. Pretty cool.
Another disappointed Cub fan.
The folks are all Zone 1??
Again First Class was sold out way in advance so I'm in a window exit row seat but with an open middle seat. Hey, just like Lufthansa Business Class. LOL.
Gorgeous sunrise on take-off was the pretty much the last thing I remembered until we started our descent. I reclined my seat, propped up a makeshift pillow against the window and checked out for the next 4+ hours.
Almost home.
An another crystal clear sunny morning in LA.
We arrived just before 9am, less than 24 hours after I left yesterday morning.
Go Tribe!
With no hotel room for the night, I walked over to the Ritz-Carlton, retreived my backpack from valet and headed upstairs to the lobby comfy bar. Over the next couple of hours, I enjoyed a few G&Ts with a few new found friends.
Last call was at 2am and the bar staff left around 2:45a but I set up shop and office at a comfy table. For the next two hours, I did a little work and edited some 900 pics from today. Then headed downstairs just before 5am and took a taxi for the quick 15 minute drive to the airport.
After some $30 million in mostly vanity renovations, this doesn't look much different than before.
Strange TSA setup at the B security checkpoint.
Nice big Pre-Check signs and a Pre-Check lane that looked like it went absolutely nowhere, except to the end of the regular security line with about 100 people in line. I didn't find out until I posted in the CLE thread that this was indeed the PreCheck security area. I'd never seen so many people in a PreCheck line so I figured it was just regular security. I left this checkpoint and walked to go over the C checkpoint, where the Pre-Check lane had just opened. I was the 4th or 5th person and was in and out in no time.
United has relocated all of its gates to the distant "banjo" part of the concourse, leaving a lot of empty gates on the west side of C concourse, most of them missing jet bridges. Going Places? LOL, not from those gates.
And to the United Club for the next 90 minutes or so.
CLE-LAX
UA 1981
737-800
7:25a-9:20a (sked)
7:25a-8:55a (actual)
October 26, 2016
In the World Series spirit, all UA gates sport Indians banners and CLE United agents are all wearing Indians shirts, jerseys or sweaters. Pretty cool.
Another disappointed Cub fan.
The folks are all Zone 1??
Again First Class was sold out way in advance so I'm in a window exit row seat but with an open middle seat. Hey, just like Lufthansa Business Class. LOL.
Gorgeous sunrise on take-off was the pretty much the last thing I remembered until we started our descent. I reclined my seat, propped up a makeshift pillow against the window and checked out for the next 4+ hours.
Almost home.
An another crystal clear sunny morning in LA.
We arrived just before 9am, less than 24 hours after I left yesterday morning.
Go Tribe!
Oct 30, 2016, 8:34 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
Thank you nequine. For a diehard Cleveland fan, it was an incredible night and a once in a lifetime experience.
Thanks very much apodo77. I have to admit that it would be cool to see the Cubs win a World Series some year... just not this year or against the Indians!
Oct 30, 2016, 8:46 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,508
Great TR and I didn't ever imagine that a city could have both basketball and baseball championships during the same year. I can't recall this happening, not even when NY Giants won Super Bowls. Definitely exciting that you went!
I know that WS isn't over, but it's great that the winner has such a big gap from their previous WS title. I never saw this coming.
Anyway how do you accept and handle flying in both intl F and private and regular economy flights? I struggle with this for the few domestic F flights per year. I keep telling my wife that I can't "go back" but even you've gone back to Y.
I know that WS isn't over, but it's great that the winner has such a big gap from their previous WS title. I never saw this coming.
Anyway how do you accept and handle flying in both intl F and private and regular economy flights? I struggle with this for the few domestic F flights per year. I keep telling my wife that I can't "go back" but even you've gone back to Y.
Oct 30, 2016, 9:28 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
Great TR and I didn't ever imagine that a city could have both basketball and baseball championships during the same year. I can't recall this happening, not even when NY Giants won Super Bowls. Definitely exciting that you went!
I know that WS isn't over, but it's great that the winner has such a big gap from their previous WS title. I never saw this coming.
Anyway how do you accept and handle flying in both intl F and private and regular economy flights? I struggle with this for the few domestic F flights per year. I keep telling my wife that I can't "go back" but even you've gone back to Y.
I know that WS isn't over, but it's great that the winner has such a big gap from their previous WS title. I never saw this coming.
Anyway how do you accept and handle flying in both intl F and private and regular economy flights? I struggle with this for the few domestic F flights per year. I keep telling my wife that I can't "go back" but even you've gone back to Y.
As for flying Economy, I didn't have many good choices as every other practical options was sold out. The flights were only 4-5 hours and with 1K status, at least I can get a good Economy Plus seat. Plus domestic First isn't much to get excited about anyway. Now there is no way that Mrs. SFO777 would agree so I only do these flights solo.
Oct 30, 2016, 9:29 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
For an HD version of this report with much better pics, please visit SFO777.com
October 25, 2016
• Cavs NBA Championship Ring and Banner Ceremony
• World Series Game 1 in Cleveland
October 25, 2016
• Cavs NBA Championship Ring and Banner Ceremony
• World Series Game 1 in Cleveland
Oct 30, 2016, 11:30 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,508
Thanks so much gaobest. Winning both in the same year would be incredible. But I really still have a hard time believing. And being from Cleveland with all the past sports heartbreaks, even up 3-1 and with everything looking good, one keeps expecting the bottom to fall out and them not being able to win one more game.
As for flying Economy, I didn't have many good choices as every other practical options was sold out. The flights were only 4-5 hours and with 1K status, at least I can get a good Economy Plus seat. Plus domestic First isn't much to get excited about anyway. Now there is no way that Mrs. SFO777 would agree so I only do these flights solo.
As for flying Economy, I didn't have many good choices as every other practical options was sold out. The flights were only 4-5 hours and with 1K status, at least I can get a good Economy Plus seat. Plus domestic First isn't much to get excited about anyway. Now there is no way that Mrs. SFO777 would agree so I only do these flights solo.
Anyway my domestic F are SFO/ord on VX, which is shorter than your CLE flight. I know that domestic F isn't great when compared to intl F/C. I'll try to take inspiration from you - my wife is willing to fly in any E+ type situation so it's really me who is more like Mrs SFO777 in terms of seating. I do all the planning and airport tasks, so I enjoy feeling a bit spoiled for a few hours.
Oct 30, 2016, 8:18 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,215
Awesome trip report SFO777!
I went to the games the past two nights, and even though the Cubs lost, there are no words I can use to describe the experience.
It's neat to see some pics from CLE, did you notice many Cubs fans? The CLE fans weren't loud at all Friday, but I did hear and see some last night at the game.
I went to the games the past two nights, and even though the Cubs lost, there are no words I can use to describe the experience.
It's neat to see some pics from CLE, did you notice many Cubs fans? The CLE fans weren't loud at all Friday, but I did hear and see some last night at the game.
Oct 30, 2016, 8:33 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: AF Plat, DL Gold
Posts: 366
Another enjoyable TR to read. You make us feel like we're on the trip along with you. And I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that has spent a night or two in a hotel bar when the hotel is sold out. If fact, its a fun way to meet people. Looking forward to your next trip report in November
Nov 1, 2016, 10:18 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: CLE
Programs: United, Hilton, Marriott, Hertz, National
Posts: 189
