Excuse me, but saying is NOT anywhere near the *realm* of a personal attack. I'd rather nip this potential flame-war in the bud. Perhaps the two of you can agree to disagree on this issue.

Did anyone see the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif? I was just stating my experience and then made the mistake of making a little joke. It was never my intention to make ANY personal/other attack on anyone. Right now I'd like to make another little joke, but would not want it to be taken the wrong way so I'll say "sorry". My bad.

[This message has been edited by fireworksboy (edited 10-09-2003).]

I agree with all of you - I fly CLE weekly -& it is true that the CO area ia a bit oblivious about 'sharp' security and try to make up for their lack by taking it slow, checking ID a few times, slowing down in general, minimal staff, and checking more bags. Once you get through the Elite line, which seems painful, but moves faster than anticpated (don't go to the coach line!) the President's Club people make up for it as they are so very way cool!

I was fully aware of this. I was suggesting that princess had been baited into responding seriously to a sarcastic post, rather than letting the sarcasm slide.

OTOH, I suppose it could be the case the princess was responding in kind. This seems unlikely because she is actually a Plat flying Y and so isn't allowed to be sarcastic.

I definitely agree with this - both the bartenders and the ticket agents. It didn't surprise me that my bartender was cool because all President's Club bartenders I've encountered have been top notch from the service perspective (though they sometimes have to check how to make the drinks I order). I was taken aback by the helpfulness of the ticket agents at CLE. Maybe that's because I'm too used to the ones at EWR.

I've only had to go through security at CLE once. I think the Elite line was shorter than the standard line, but my memory is a little hazy because I had only had a few hours of sleep after spending six hours in an ERJ flying LGA-CLE with a refueling stop in PIT.

Not to defend CO, but I've never had a delay in getting through C/D security. (Yes, sometimes I do go through the line @ B when coming down the steps from the parking lot.)

BTW: Frank (the younger bartender) from the PClub is gone.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't know the Elite line through TSA security was a Continental 'Elite Access' amenity, a la the blue carpet at the boarding gate.

I gotta believe the original poster was a victim of circumstances. I've been traveling through Cleveland three or four times a week all year and all times of day, and have yet to see the lines with more than a 5-10 minute wait.

I think it may be a matter of timing; did all your trips to the TC occur at approx. the same time? Also, in CLE, the worst that cah happen at the TC is when there are no elites in line. You get up front, and find the agents (if you need one) are helping 'regular' customers that have major problems; I think the difficult cases are shunted to the 'Elite' agents.
The trick is not to need an agent!
And yes, in general, the CLE Elite security line always seems to be extra strict with all passengers going thru that line; I've even seen flight crew being subjected to very strict inspection, much more so than the regular lines.

Now that fall and winter is here and I have been taking longer trips and I really need extra clothes, shoes, and coats. Frankly it doesn't fit in a carry on bag. No I don't need to be blasted because I can't do just carry on. I cannot check in my bag myself so I do need agent intervention.

Yesterday morning around 8AM there was a 25 minute wait at C/D security. CO was suggesting folks use B or even A security, but that caused the B security line to stretch back quite a ways, about to the WN ticket counter. I heard that the TSA didn't have enough staff to operate all positions at C/D security. All of a sudden, the line got much shorter, so maybe TSA brought in some more folks. Also, it's a holiday weekend so I think it was a bit busier than usual. Just my observations.

I understand. My post was to show empathy toward you.

little off topic as we didn't pass through security but couldn't resist a comment about cle pc last weekend. i would agree the bartenders are all great. haven't needed the help of the ta's. but the nazi guarding the door sunday afternoon was a trip... a power trip. after waiting in line to enter the pc my partner showed her club card and dl to the receptionist and was asked to remove her darkened glasses to verify identity. cmon... the club is nice but is the product sooo desirable that vast numbers of miscreants would procure forged or stolen memberhip cards and id for a free beer. (free + tip). although doubtful someone so unscrupulous to get past ticket agents, tsa, and armed security, providing positive identification at every turn only then to then pass themselves off as a legitimate pc member in good standing, would even leave a tip. oh well, each pc has a personality. in ewr they just scowl at you, in sea they actually say welcome and in cle i think a cavity search is next. maybe they should put one of those blue rugs at the pclub... all others disrobe.