February 3, 201015 yr ^ I agree... No sense in wasting time with the current set-in-stone mindsets. Coming from a family who had many members working with Disney World--as much as I have my personal negative opinions about Disney being a prime example of a wolf in sheeps clothing--- I will say that they have their customer service orientations at levels among the best in the business. Nearly all of the turd-like personality employees we are talking about would never last a day in the Maggot Kingdom. Might be a good model. Advertising for the jobs should reach far and wide and such a requirement would be to learn about Cleveland/N.E. Ohio through what can be a small course designed by maybe the Cleveland Plus people, to get these folks in tune with Cleveland. But yes, I agree, getting 'non-polluted' minds is important. Again, I hope people from CLE read these forums. I tried writing to the top. No reply..and nothing I said was any of my usual rants.
February 3, 201015 yr "Mouschwitz" as it's known in the industry, does definitely have a work ethic that does not tolerate stepping outside their strict boundaries, and it does produce good results. But I'd like to see something a little more "carrot" than "stick." More Nordstrom than Disney.
February 3, 201015 yr "Mouschwitz" as it's known in the industry, does definitely have a work ethic that does not tolerate stepping outside their strict boundaries, and it does produce good results. But I'd like to see something a little more "carrot" than "stick." More Nordstrom than Disney. Maybe since we're now run by BAA CSU can offer British kids who want to study in the US nice scholarships to come and work at the airport while in school? I don't know what they do at Disney World to bring in all those international kids besides just being Disney World....
February 3, 201015 yr Disney has major international appeal, plus they pay pretty well. That's about all you have to do; be disney, offer a steady, good paying job. We will need to do something different to attract people here.
February 4, 201015 yr I have two sisters and a brother who worked for Disney behind the scenes....and at least when they wetre there, this kind of work ethic we have been criticizing would not have been tolerated... from dress to articulation, to a knowledge of the park, you have to have it going on. There are just too many who would gladly replace these peope and do the job right. How about we write to the Cleveland Plus people and suggest they implement such a way to fine tune new employees who are working in the service sector around here...like at the airport. They can make this course available. Yes, it would be nice to get some Brits here for the summer. Would love to have the new accent.Maybe they will be more enthusiastic. The manners and complacency have become hideous here. I cannot put it any kinder. Its not everyone...But its too many.
February 4, 201015 yr EC, I had suggested to Cleveland Plus (and may have read something about it as well), that they institute some kind of Cleveland training program for hotel employees, after reading many hotel reviews where the hotel staff gave inaccurate and negative information about Cleveland. If its not something they do, they should be (at least having the dialogue with the downtown hotels)
February 4, 201015 yr You'd think management would take up the initiative on this sort of thing. In hospitality/conventions/tourism, selling the town is selling your business. The last thing you want to do is say anything to convince someone not to come back.
February 4, 201015 yr Here's the full press release: Great Lakes Brewing Company Opens the Tap at the AIRMALL® at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport - Renowned Regional Brewer Opens Unit at the Airport This Week - CLEVELAND, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The AIRMALL® at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is pleased to announce the opening of Great Lakes Brewing Company, a Cleveland original and brewer of award-winning lagers, ales and porters. Operated by Cleveland Partners, LLC, the Great Lakes Brewing Company (approximately 3,000 sq. ft.) is located on Concourse C and includes a full-service restaurant and bar. In addition to a great selection of locally-brewed ales and lagers, travelers are able to choose from the restaurant's full menu of appetizers, pub favorites, sandwiches and dinner selections. "Great Lakes Brewing Company is the latest example of locally-based dining concepts that have established a presence at the AIRMALL® at CLE," said Tina LaForte, vice president of BAA Cleveland. "We are dedicated to giving passengers a wide variety of high-quality dining options -- all at 'Regular Mall Prices…Guaranteed,' which is a hallmark of the AIRMALL®." "We are excited to be a part of the ongoing concessions development at the AIRMALL® at CLE by providing travelers from all over the world with an authentic taste of Cleveland," added George Walker, operator of Great Lakes Brewing Company at the AIRMALL®. "Our award-winning, flavorful beers and mouth-watering food selections will surely be a big hit among passengers, all while providing uncompromising, superior customer service." Established in 1988, Great Lakes Brewing Company was the first microbrewery in the state and today remains Ohio's most celebrated and award-winning brewer of lagers and ales. Owners of the brewery have incorporated European brewing techniques to create their renowned beers and are committed to using only the freshest ingredients. "We are pleased to continue to provide passengers with local favorites such as Great Lakes Brewing Company and other similar concepts that showcase what our region has to offer," said Airport Director Ricky Smith. "We look forward to continuing to add to this exciting line-up." The City of Cleveland forged a 10-year contract with BAA Cleveland in February 2008 to develop and manage concessions at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). The city anticipates the AIRMALL® will double the current participation rate of local and minority-owned companies, double the number of concession jobs, and double retail sales figures during the next decade. When complete, the AIRMALL® at CLE will occupy 76,000 square feet of retail space. About BAA Cleveland BAA Cleveland, Inc. is the developer and manager of the retail and concessions program at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). In 2008, BAA entered into a ten-year contract with the City of Cleveland to transform the retail, food and beverage concessions into the AIRMALL® at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, a strategic combination of well-known national brands and high-quality local concepts offered at "Regular Mall Prices…Guaranteed." BAA Cleveland is a project of BAA USA, the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at the AIRMALLs® at Pittsburgh International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E). BAA USA is an affiliate of BAA Limited, the world's leading airport company, which owns and operates six UK airports (Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow). For more information, visit www.airmall.com or www.baausa.com. Contact: Jeff Donaldson 412-642-7700 [email protected] SOURCE BAA Cleveland RELATED LINKS http://www.airmall.com
February 4, 201015 yr You'd think management would take up the initiative on this sort of thing. In hospitality/conventions/tourism, selling the town is selling your business. The last thing you want to do is say anything to convince someone not to come back. I have suggested it to the managers of 2 different hotels and basically got the response of yeah, right, we'll look into that.
February 4, 201015 yr You'd think management would take up the initiative on this sort of thing. In hospitality/conventions/tourism, selling the town is selling your business. The last thing you want to do is say anything to convince someone not to come back. I have suggested it to the managers of 2 different hotels and basically got the response of yeah, right, we'll look into that. Sometimes the managers are just as lazy as their employees.
February 4, 201015 yr I think it's easier for them to just move to another property in the hotel "family" than fight an uphill battle against the staff of the whole hotel.
February 5, 201015 yr latest published airline frequency changes for CLE: Delta: DTW-CLE from 4 to 6 avg flights per day, beginning April.
February 5, 201015 yr latest published airline frequency changes for CLE: Delta: DTW-CLE from 4 to 6 avg flights per day, beginning April. Where do you find these things out of curiousity?
February 6, 201015 yr doctabroccoli--each week airlines report to OAG any changes in routes or frequencies regarding what is for sale. i know 2 new frequencies to/from DTW isn't much--approx 100 seats a day, but its at least a little growth--better than nothing and certainly better than any cuts/reductions. This week DL announced a lot of expansion at DTW and MSP (the two big NW hubs). CLE was one of many cities from Detroit with increased service. Service from MSP increased in many markets as well, but not CLE.
February 6, 201015 yr EC, I had suggested to Cleveland Plus (and may have read something about it as well), that they institute some kind of Cleveland training program for hotel employees, after reading many hotel reviews where the hotel staff gave inaccurate and negative information about Cleveland. If its not something they do, they should be (at least having the dialogue with the downtown hotels) Very good.. I agree with this. How about it people? Why not take some time to send Cle-plus your thought on this as we have been discussiong here. Too many good thoughts/suggestions...and ideas should not go unheard. UO can be a great source for getting quik letter writing efforts off the ground. This time, send words to the visitors bureau...as I would think this would be more of a concern for them than the individual managers of places---who like Doc says...are sometimes just as lazy. The last thing Cle-plus would like are bad reveiws of anything relating to Cleveland.
February 8, 201015 yr why not cc the mayors office, the Greater Cleveland partnership as well--so there is some accountability on the person receiving the letter...
February 8, 201015 yr I did some of that.... I think we just need more people here to help. Like I said...too many good ideas to keep on the forum alone. Who is game to write more? Maybe we can all at the same time???
February 25, 201015 yr Latest airline schedule changes for CLE, as per airlines' uploading to OAG: (from>to average flights/day) Delta (effective May/June): ATL-CLE 6.5>7.5 CVG-CLE 2.9>1.9 DTW-CLE 5.6>4.8 JFK-CLE 3.0>2.0 These reflect the general pulldown of DL ops at Cincy and JFK. Continental (effective June): CLE-GSP 2>1 CLE-TYS 2>1 [No changes from the other carriers at CLE].
February 26, 201015 yr What became of all those plans to open a bunch of upscale chain stores at Hopkins Airport??? I haven't been there since August '09 - and it's always a shame one must pretty much be a passenger now to patronize this retail - but according to the website the shops sound about the same as the past ten years. If some names are different they're still the same basic types. Nothing exciting. I thought they were to be more like Pittsburgh's airport, for example. When we went last year there was a great deal of construction, and I understood there'd be a long chain of food takeout places. They may be there but what about the rest??? Even the food names on the website appear about the same.
February 26, 201015 yr What became of all those plans to open a bunch of upscale chain stores at Hopkins Airport??? I haven't been there since August '09 - and it's always a shame one must pretty much be a passenger now to patronize this retail - but according to the website the shops sound about the same as the past ten years. If some names are different they're still the same basic types. Nothing exciting. I thought they were to be more like Pittsburgh's airport, for example. When we went last year there was a great deal of construction, and I understood there'd be a long chain of food takeout places. They may be there but what about the rest??? Even the food names on the website appear about the same. I think the biggest difference is the layout. Now you can go between all the terminals without having to go through a separate security. It makes the airport feel bigger.
February 26, 201015 yr Here are the places that have opened or are opening in the airmall Great Lakes Brewing Company - Open Currito: Burritos Without Borders - Open Swatch - Signs Lease Cheeburger Cheeburger - Open Subway - Open Crocs - Opening Soon Currito: Burritos Without Borders - Opening Soon Panini’s Bar and Grill - Open Taxco Sterling Company - open Obrycki’s Crab House and Seafood Restaurant - Soon Bruegger’s - Open Villa Italian Kitchen - Open Johnston & Murphy - Open There are also a bunch more that have leases and are supposed to open. That is all I can find for now.
February 26, 201015 yr ^ Pretty sure I saw a "Coming Soon" for The Pub, right on the other side of the main security check point. Not sure if this is the same one as the one in RR, but sounded like it. This was about a month ago.
March 3, 201015 yr I just noticed something interesting on Continental's website..... The mister and I are weighing our honeymoon options, and one of them is a Mediterranean cruise. I went to their website to search the cost of CLE-Barcelona fares, and came across an intriguing option. There is a Cleveland-Frankfurt flight with a plane change in Newark. That is, there is a single flight number shared between the CLE-EWR and the EWR-FRA legs. They also have the same type of thing for flying to LHR. Obviously it's not non-stop, but what does that mean in terms of the logistics of actually traveling? And is that saying anything about the future of European non-stops out of CLE :(?
March 4, 201015 yr here is a thread on a Frequent flier website about this...This is a very good resource for any thing air travel related and fairly good for anything travel related. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/continental-onepass/1049594-continental-through-flights-direct-flights-major-nuisance-elites.html your specific questions Q: but what does that mean in terms of the logistics of actually traveling? A: essentially no difference between having 2 separate flight numbers. You will be given fewer frequent flyer miles though. Q: And is that saying anything about the future of European non-stops out of CLE :(? A: No---not that the future never looks or looked very bright for too many Euro non-stops. With CO joining the * alliance, a direct flight to Frankfurt probably has the best chance of happening. FRA is the main hub for Lufthansa, the German Airline that is the main Euro partner of the * alliance.
March 4, 201015 yr here is a thread on a Frequent flier website about this...This is a very good resource for any thing air travel related and fairly good for anything travel related. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/continental-onepass/1049594-continental-through-flights-direct-flights-major-nuisance-elites.html your specific questions Q: but what does that mean in terms of the logistics of actually traveling? A: essentially no difference between having 2 separate flight numbers. You will be given fewer frequent flyer miles though. That's what I figured. I just kinda stared at my computer thinking why on earth they would try to confuse people like that..... Now if they could only do what Southwest does in using the same plane so you could stay on the plane, a stop in Newark wouldn't be quite as painful......
March 4, 201015 yr doctabroccoli--this is what CO calls "through flight service". its essentially a marketing ploy. You wanna go to BCN from CLE? well it only requires a 'change of flights in FRA'. so one assumes 2 planes. the change of equipment at EWR is only in the fine print. But also, if you're looking for CLE--anywhere flights and, on the website you're using, select 'no more than one stop', then all the through-flights should show up, meaning CLE-FRA--rest of europe.... as stated above, it has nothing to do with whether or not a real non-stop to LHR, FRA, PVG, or elsewhere will happen. Here's an article on this matter: http://www.airlinecity.com/2007/11/24/continental%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cthrough-flight-service%E2%80%9D/
March 4, 201015 yr and this is a non-post. For the 5 March OAG, there are no frequency or route changes to any of the airlines at CLE.
March 4, 201015 yr doctabroccoli--this is what CO calls "through flight service". its essentially a marketing ploy. You wanna go to BCN from CLE? well it only requires a 'change of flights in FRA'. so one assumes 2 planes. the change of equipment at EWR is only in the fine print. But also, if you're looking for CLE--anywhere flights and, on the website you're using, select 'no more than one stop', then all the through-flights should show up, meaning CLE-FRA--rest of europe.... as stated above, it has nothing to do with whether or not a real non-stop to LHR, FRA, PVG, or elsewhere will happen. Here's an article on this matter: http://www.airlinecity.com/2007/11/24/continental%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cthrough-flight-service%E2%80%9D/ There are direct flights from EWR to Barcelona too...... I was just more amazed by this other rediculous "1-stop" offer presented to me.
March 4, 201015 yr yeah, it is misleading. ck out the link--you may like it--there's a few cleveland articles on the site and it explains the 'through flight service' better.
March 26, 201015 yr BAA Cleveland To Open New Restaurant, Retail Outlet BAA Cleveland, developer of the Airmall at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, continues its transformation terminal concessions with the addition of new retail and dining concepts. UFood Grill and Cuban Crafters have signed lease agreements to open storefronts at the Airmall. UFood Grill is a quick-serve concept that offers healthier versions of traditional favorites and original creations. Selections include smoothies, wraps, soups, salads, grilled items and sandwiches. Operated by locally-based JJR Concessions, LLC, UFood Grill (1,000 square feet) will be located on Concourse B and is scheduled to open in mid-summer 2010. Cuban Crafters will offer cigars, humidors, cigar gifts and accessories. The brand's boutique premium cigars are handmade with special attention to detail. Cuban Crafters also offers a money-back guarantee on its products. The unit (1,000 square feet) will be located on Concourse D and is also expected to open in mid-summer 2010. http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=177638
March 26, 201015 yr I think it's funny that they're opening a healthy food restaurant at the same time they're opening a cigar shop.
March 26, 201015 yr I think it's funny that they're opening a healthy food restaurant at the same time they're opening a cigar shop. Also funny thats its called Cuban Crafter's since Cuban cigar's are illegal in the U.S. (embargo) So I dont think they are going to be Cuban....
March 26, 201015 yr In USA Today, "Today In the Sky" blogger Ben Mutzabaugh interviewed Jim Compton, Continental Airline's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, asking questions submitted by readers. Of course the question on the feared de-hubbing of Cleveland came up. Mr. Compton indicated that CLE was a solid hub based on it local demand, and that it was more stable than Pittsburgh or St. Louis that recently lost their hubs. Of course, one must allow for "executive speak," before giving full credence (he he). There were a few other Cleveland related items for anyone interested in reading it. The link appears to be: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/blog.aspx
April 8, 201015 yr Today on Cleveland.com--would be potentially bad news for CLE. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reports that United Airlines and US Airways are in merger talks have implications for Continental Airlines, the primary carrier in Cleveland. Airline industry consultant Michael Boyd said any talks between United and US Airways might be intended to get Continental off the sidelines and into merger discussions with United. "Glenn Tilton, CEO of United, has been banging on Continental's door like a teenage kid trying to get a prom date," Boyd said Thursday. "Continental just hasn't come to the party." Full article: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/04/continental_1.html
April 9, 201015 yr Today on Cleveland.com--would be potentially bad news for CLE. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reports that United Airlines and US Airways are in merger talks have implications for Continental Airlines, the primary carrier in Cleveland. Airline industry consultant Michael Boyd said any talks between United and US Airways might be intended to get Continental off the sidelines and into merger discussions with United. "Glenn Tilton, CEO of United, has been banging on Continental's door like a teenage kid trying to get a prom date," Boyd said Thursday. "Continental just hasn't come to the party." Full article: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/04/continental_1.html Tilton has been trying to merge with anyone since taking the helm at UAL. What he needs to do is start running his own line (and in all fairness he did rescue UAL). I don't think CAL really wants any part of UAL except for the Star Alliance benefits which they get without a merger. My own personal opinion is that UAL and US will merge and in the end become a much smaller carrier. AA is large enough to grow organically and will remain independent. CAL will explore the options of a merger with Alaska Air (AS) and more than likely do the do. CLE will remain a hub and hopefully grow. A merger with AS will give CAL a westcoast hub (SEA) and to an extent ANC. This will give them a true Asian gateway, probably at the expense of GUM. Just my personal take.
April 9, 201015 yr In USA Today, "Today In the Sky" blogger Ben Mutzabaugh interviewed Jim Compton, Continental Airline's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, asking questions submitted by readers. Of course the question on the feared de-hubbing of Cleveland came up. Mr. Compton indicated that CLE was a solid hub based on it local demand, and that it was more stable than Pittsburgh or St. Louis that recently lost their hubs. Of course, one must allow for "executive speak," before giving full credence (he he). There were a few other Cleveland related items for anyone interested in reading it. The link appears to be: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/blog.aspx Reading the article, Mutzabaugh says that CLE is esentially "right-sized" for what it does and provides. Keep in mind that PIT and CVG were much larger hubs than their O&D would justify. They were overflow hubs and like Mutzabaugh said such a hub has to be exceptionally large to make it a success. CAL does not operate like that. Its hubs are dependent on local O&D. I beleive that both CVG and PIT were 30% O&D and 70% connection. On the other hand, CLE is almost the exact opposite. the same holds true for IAH and EWR but to a somewhat lessrer extent. Its one of the reasons that so much international traffic flows through EWR. Most international from EWR is at least 60% local O&D.
April 17, 201015 yr OK, today's Plain Dealer carried yet another non-article about the potential consequences for Cleveland Hopkins Airport from a United - Continental merger, talks for which have apparently restarted. I don't know how many times the PD can re-write the same non-article, based on speculation from so called aviation experts, but it keeps cranking them out. We have recently been told that the CLE hub is supported by enough O-D traffic to make a go of it, which would provide a base to add reliever operations to help with Chicago and Newark capacity limitations. Let's try to be a little optimistic, although, as a life long Clevelander, I know how hard that can be! In the mean time, the city should continue upgrading the terminal concessions and related facilities to ensure that Cleveland Hopkins is an airport that people would want to use for flight connections.
April 17, 201015 yr Let's try to be a little optimistic, although, as a life long Clevelander, I know how hard that can be! Especially for the PD, where they apparently think negativism is cool. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 17, 201015 yr looks like the free 30 minute parking went away with the opening of the cell phone lot. there is also some construction b/w short term deck and ticket counters..any ideas what is going on here?
April 24, 201015 yr http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0423-united-usairways--20100422,0,4371339.story United-Continental merger would land in Chicago Merger talks moving rapidly; US Airways ends discussions with United Chicago would be headquarters to the largest airline in the world if United Airlines successfully consummates a deal with Continental Airlines. Where to base the world headquarters of the merged entity is one of many potentially thorny "social" issues that have been resolved as the two airlines move rapidly toward a deal that could be completed as soon as next week, said people close to the situation. Continental on Thursday cemented its status as the front-runner to be United's merger partner....
April 26, 201015 yr ^ And yet another, larger non-article in the Sunday Plain Dealer (today) saying the same things as all of the previous non-articles about the impact of a CO-UA merger on Hopkins Airport, only this time with charts and figures. It's like pre-election coverage: "well this may happen, or it may not happen, and we project this or that result, but we really can't be sure until its over." It must sell newspapers or something, because it sure doesn't add anything meaningful to the discussion. Besides, we, as Clevelanders, are sufficiently adept at anticipating being shafted without our daily paper rubbing our noses in it. :wink: :whip:
April 26, 201015 yr How about the county commissioners offer UA/Continental the Bruer tower for free if they move the HQ to Cleveland.
April 26, 201015 yr looks like the free 30 minute parking went away with the opening of the cell phone lot. Is this true? There's no more 30 minutes of free parking at the airport?
April 26, 201015 yr How about the county commissioners offer UA/Continental the Bruer tower for free if they move the HQ to Cleveland. continentals HQ is in Houston. This would be a bigger financial and employment impact on them than us. Chicago and Newark are still over worked airports and Cleveland is only running at 70% capacity. I believe a reliver airport (CLE) would still be needed.
April 26, 201015 yr How about the county commissioners offer UA/Continental the Bruer tower for free if they move the HQ to Cleveland. When Miller and Coors merged, they wanted to choose a "neutral" city for the headquarters instead of going with Milwaukee or Denver. They ended up going with Chicago. Maybe Cleveland could be a neutral site for United-Continental? :)
April 27, 201015 yr How about the county commissioners offer UA/Continental the Bruer tower for free if they move the HQ to Cleveland. continentals HQ is in Houston. This would be a bigger financial and employment impact on them than us. Chicago and Newark are still over worked airports and Cleveland is only running at 70% capacity. I believe a reliver airport (CLE) would still be needed. One must keep in mind that no airline will or has operated a hub simply to use as a "releiver" for more congested hubs. For whatever business-case reason, CAL operates a hub (tho small) at CLE. The ratio of O&D to connecting passengers at CLE is something like 70/30. One of the reasons that there are few connections at CLE is that the facilities are not large enough to handle a massive influx of people at bank times. To operate a truly large hub, you need either massive O&D (EWR, IAH, ORD) or massive capacity to handle overflow (DTW, CVG, ATL). CLE has neither. If CAL really needs relief over its network, it could simply increase capacity/frequency at any number of airports over its system. Case-in-point: CVG was a massive overflow hub for Delta. It had the facilities to handle large amounts of PAX and planes - both regional and mainline. When the overflow capacity was no longer needed, CVG was and is being downsized to reflect its O&D (considerably less than that of CLE). PIT was pretty much the same. Also, don't forget, CLE is really a two airport town. CAK is only 35 miles away.
April 27, 201015 yr MD88 - The overflow capacity is constrained by the lack of runways that can be used simultanenously, right? Which CLE is never going to really have, since it is so land-locked.
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