I just got an e-mail from ATA -> they are starting an elite program. Not quite sure of all the perks, but it definitely exists now. I also sat next to a couple of flight attendants on my way out to San Francisco, and ATA is remodeling their planes to include a business class section!

I also just started traveling from Newark to Cleveland every week for business, and I do not have status on Continental. I'm going to attempt to transfer my status to Continental from ATA, I hope it works!

BTW, is there any fast track program in continental that could help me obtain gold or platinum status faster? Its going to take me 30 weeks to have enough segments to get gold status .

Welcome to Flyertalk. From the looks of the boards since late 2003, Northwest has probably picked up plenty of refugees from Continental since they screwed up their FF program by going to 50% elite qualifying miles on certain discounted fare classes purchased anywhere but through their own website. There is the continued threat of even THOSE fares dropping to 50% EQM after the end of the year. Have you considered the option of choosing Northwest's program instead? IMO, it's worth a hard look unless things change with one program or the other that would bring them closer to parity. Do you already have quite a few miles accumulated on Continental that would make you want to throw in with them over the long haul?

I have no idea whether either Continental or Northwest would comp elite status based on business you may be able to bring them as illustrated by your travels with ATA -- but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Also keep in mind that 30 weeks worth of segments may not be a realistic approach for you unless you have a number of those segments already flown. There aren't 30 weeks left in the year and January 1 will re-start you at zero segments. Are your prospects for making elite on miles better, perhaps?

I have 10 segments accumulated through Continental as of right now, but I really do not have much of a choice between programs. I live about 15 minutes from Newark, and Continental pretty much owns that airport.

I've flown with too many different airlines this past year (discount ones) to have status on a major. I do have a record of 20 flights with Southwest that I printed out, and I have status on ATA. I'm hoping I can prove to continental that I will be flying with them every week for the rest of the year. All I want is gold status, and I cannot make it on miles because I am flying a 500 mile segment.

This past year I came a few nights short of reaching gold status at the Marriott, and after they reset my nights to 0, a quick call to their customer service department allowed me to continue earning nights from the year before towards my elite status. Good thing too, because this year I've already stayed about 90 nights! I hope if I come just short of gold this year I can do the same thing with continental.

Does anyone have any past experiences?

Status on ATA may very well be something very nice to have if, as djohannw has reported on the Lufthansa board, this company intends to start service to CGN.

Update

I called up continental and began to complain about status.

I was enrolled into a program whereby if I buy 3 middle tier coach class tickets, I will qualify for elite status.

Should have my silver elite access in a week! BTW Continental said they would not match discount carriers status.