Originally Posted by
CLEHillbilly
The CLE Customs/arrival for Intl is the worst in the country, a bunch of rent a cops that have part time jobs since we do not have many intl arrivals. The lists goes on and on for it, The lines are always long, scarcity of room in the arrivals hall and baggage area.
Heck once I found a VISA on the floor there for a foreign visitor in the baggage area and i tried to give it to a customs agent as someone would be unhappy to lose it, she refused to take it said to put it back where I found it.....so I dropped it on floor at her feet.
Totally a hillbilly operation there.
This has not been my experience at all (used last year CDG-CLE and this past May LHR-CLE). Who are the rent-a-cops you refer to-CBP agents, TSA agents, Cleveland Police, contracted security agents?
Despite its very small size (I think only about 6-8 immigration booths and one baggage belt), clearing FIS there was a breeze. I know last year, there were potentially 3 arrivals within a half hour scheduled (CDG, LGW, CUN on USA3000). This year it's quieter and more spread apart.
I also like the change this year in allowing CLE-bound passengers to take their bags on the shuttle bus directly to the arrivals area.
For those who have connected to other flights, where did you re-clear TSA security...downstairs or upstairs? I know they built something on the upper level of A concourse last year that protrudes out into the hallway, is surrounded by opaque glass and has an USCBP sign on it and is the exit from FIS. But I've never gotten a peak inside this area since they rebuilt the exit and am curious as to what's behind there.