It isn't terrible, unless the flight is booked. If there are some empty seats around, it makes it much more comfortable.

Fair point, I was unaware of that, as I've only ever connected through CLE en-route to the west coast.

So to rephrase, the arrivals process for connecting passengers is awesome.

Yep this is true, you can now take your bags right on the bus. Its very easy, much easier then EWR thats for sure.

That up to $100 discount IIRC is only valid on north american itins.

That is a big improvement.

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.

I took it over at the end of May, and it was wonderful. My son and I had exit row seats and with a lightish load factor no one was sharing the middle seat with us. Wonderful

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.

CBP Agents

I recall that there are only 4 booths, 2 for domestic pax & visa holders, and two for everyone else.

This is a nice change that I have also seen, but it really makes very little sense as the bus ride is like about 45 seconds where I could have walked the same distance much quicker. Ignoring that the experience of everything before the "bus" ride since deplaning reduces this benfit to "I'd rather fly through EWR or worse, JFK". Honestly I avoid CLE direct flights to go through EWR just because of the thought of the CLE Customs.

My last straw was 2 years ago when i had one of these rent a cop part timers stare at my USA passport, circa 2007 , amd look me in the eye and ask me if I was a USA citizen since I had an expired Venezuelan VISA in my USA passport. Offended I looked him directly in the eye and said my passport says I was born in Berea, OHIO, USA, what did he think. He sent me for a secondary customs check which they dismissed 30 seconds after the other agents looked at it. Once again rent a cops trying to justify their job in the name of 9/11 security, ridiculous IMO.

I think this has not changed and is the same as the old days. if you are not taking the new "bus" to exit into CLE then you use the old TSA screening point they used to make everyone go through. This is not a glamorous TSA checkpoint, picture 1970's era checkpoints.

I'm sure there are instances where US entry at CLE is trying, but that has not been my experience. I have arrived in CLE from foreign overseas destinations three times in the last two years and never experienced a speedier immigration/customs experience anywhere in the US. Yes, there may be fewer agents at CLE than at EWR or IAH, but there are also a lot fewer arriving passengers. There are no 777's disgorging people at CLE. Plus (and this is just anecdotal) there seem to be fewer non-US passengers, thus making immigration easier (one supposes). I am no booster of Cleveland, but entry at CLE is probably the easiest of CO's continental hubs.

[QUOTE=CLEHillbilly;12212279]CBP Agents



This is a nice change that I have also seen, but it really makes very little sense as the bus ride is like about 45 seconds where I could have walked the same distance much quicker. Ignoring that the experience of everything before the "bus" ride since deplaning reduces this benfit to "I'd rather fly through EWR or worse, JFK". Honestly I avoid CLE direct flights to go through EWR just because of the thought of the CLE Customs.

Wow, Have you experienced the ATC delay's out of EWR and JFK?. CLE's a breeze.

My experience has been that it NEVER pays to show any attitude in cases like this. Unless they leave you on the floor bleeding, swallow your pride, smile, and say thank you.