Speaking of amateur, I flew out this morning and cringed when I saw the HAND-WRITTEN (in marker) signs on drywall directing passengers to airlines, TSA Pre, etc.    I was in a hurry so failed to snap a picture--maybe someone else could grab one. 

 

Really CLE?  You guys didn't see this coming with the construction?  Go to Kinkos or something and have a bunch of airlines and arrows printed up. 

As someone who doesn't travel a whole lot, and recently completed a trip to and from Europe, I'm surprised at the amount of hate that Cleveland Hopkins gets. During my trip, I was in Chicago O'Hare, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Berlin Tegel. While Cleveland Hopkins is clearly the smallest of all the airports I visited, I actually found it to be a better experience than most of the others. It's not a pretty airport, but the food options are pretty good, it's relatively easy to navigate around, and it had more electric outlets available than any of the other airports I visited.

^As a facility---except for immigration--it gets the job done. The recent complaints here on human/airport management things like stupid assemblages of people to greet arriving folks randomly and on handwritten signs--both which make us look like amateurs and small townish---not quite a major global or American city. I don't hate Hopkins by any means, just actions taken (whether by Airport administration or the CCVB) which undermine us as a city.

^As a facility---except for immigration--it gets the job done. The recent complaints here on human/airport management things like stupid assemblages of people to greet arriving folks randomly and on handwritten signs--both which make us look like amateurs and small townish---not quite a major global or American city. I don't hate Hopkins by any means, just actions taken (whether by Airport administration or the CCVB) which undermine us as a city.

 

Fortunately, the airport and any of its shortcomings are not having much of an influence on the state of the city.  Right now, Cleveland is about as global as its metro area dictates.  As more business moves in, and the metro area experiences the same percentage of growth as downtown, then we can worry about being more global.  So far, things look good, though.  When May and June roll around and the traffic situation is back to normal at Hopkins, we shall see if the city looks at the next steps for improvement.

CLE put a picture on IG of greeters with signs pumping people up for arriving here.  Anyone else think that's a little weird? Or do you like it?  To me, it seems a little like we are trying too hard to put off that "we're friendly, we're happy vibe".  Maybe its good, I don't know

 

If the city is paying people for that then it's just one more reason the airport should be under some sort of regional control.

 

Want to pump up people? Modernize the airport to actually compete with other similar size metros.

 

I disagree.  I DO NOT want the airport under "regional" control. It will end up a bargaining chip like GCRTA and residents and visitors will suffer!

 

Yes the airport needs lots of modernization.  IMO, Concourses, A & B should be torn down and rebuilt and add an international terminal.  This takes money, dedicated airlines and a leader who thinks of our region and airport as international.  We need to take a look at boston.  It's big city with no hub but a focus city for many airlines.

 

 

CLE put a picture on IG of greeters with signs pumping people up for arriving here.  Anyone else think that's a little weird? Or do you like it?  To me' date=' it seems a little like we are trying too hard to put off that "we're friendly, we're happy vibe".  Maybe its good, I don't know [/quote']

 

Your instincts are right. I think its pathetic and small-townish. It ultimately makes the city look stupid.

No it doesn't.  Air travel is stressful.  It shows that we have a function airport with little or no chaos.  However, just like the forum, the picture will be interpreted in many ways.

 

Your comment re Concourses A and B may be prophetic.  I have heard rumours and I stress rumours that airlines will be re-located from A to both B&C for the time being and Concourse A demolished.  Then a repeat process involving B or at least a re-do of B. 

CLE put a picture on IG of greeters with signs pumping people up for arriving here.  Anyone else think that's a little weird? Or do you like it?  To me, it seems a little like we are trying too hard to put off that "we're friendly, we're happy vibe".  Maybe its good, I don't know

 

If the city is paying people for that then it's just one more reason the airport should be under some sort of regional control.

 

Want to pump up people? Modernize the airport to actually compete with other similar size metros.

 

I disagree.  I DO NOT want the airport under "regional" control. It will end up a bargaining chip like GCRTA and residents and visitors will suffer!

 

Yes the airport needs lots of modernization.  IMO, Concourses, A & B should be torn down and rebuilt and add an international terminal.  This takes money, dedicated airlines and a leader who thinks of our region and airport as international.  We need to take a look at boston.  It's big city with no hub but a focus city for many airlines.

 

 

CLE put a picture on IG of greeters with signs pumping people up for arriving here.  Anyone else think that's a little weird? Or do you like it?  To me' date=' it seems a little like we are trying too hard to put off that "we're friendly, we're happy vibe".  Maybe its good, I don't know [/quote']

 

Your instincts are right. I think its pathetic and small-townish. It ultimately makes the city look stupid.

No it doesn't.  Air travel is stressful.  It shows that we have a function airport with little or no chaos.  However, just like the forum, the picture will be interpreted in many ways.

 

Your comment re Concourses A and B may be prophetic.  I have heard rumours and I stress rumours that airlines will be re-located from A to both B&C for the time being and Concourse A demolished.  Then a repeat process involving B or at least a re-do of B. 

 

I've heard those rumors.  But A & B would be rebuilt in a new design.  Which would Make sense

Also, it appears that UAL will keep a substantial gate presence on Concourse C to allow for about 130 flights/day capacity.  I wonder with the recent regime change in Chicago that a rethink of the CLE cuts might be forthcoming

CLE put a picture on IG of greeters with signs pumping people up for arriving here.  Anyone else think that's a little weird? Or do you like it?  To me, it seems a little like we are trying too hard to put off that "we're friendly, we're happy vibe".  Maybe its good, I don't know

 

If the city is paying people for that then it's just one more reason the airport should be under some sort of regional control.

 

Want to pump up people? Modernize the airport to actually compete with other similar size metros.

 

I disagree.  I DO NOT want the airport under "regional" control. It will end up a bargaining chip like GCRTA and residents and visitors will suffer!

 

Yes the airport needs lots of modernization.  IMO, Concourses, A & B should be torn down and rebuilt and add an international terminal.  This takes money, dedicated airlines and a leader who thinks of our region and airport as international.  We need to take a look at boston.  It's big city with no hub but a focus city for many airlines.

 

Massport, the agency that runs Logan airport, is a regional body. It runs Logan, the port of Boston, Worcester Regional Airport and Hanscom Field in Bedford. It's Board is selected by the Governor of Massachusetts and has an open meeting process with transparency unheard of in Cleveland.

 

Cleveland has no money for real capital improvements at Hopkins. The city has a master plan it's administrators never follow. The amount of money to improve A&B just isn't there. Calling an international terminal at Cleveland a pipe dream would be generous. In fact the only real source of revenue for the city is leasing gate space to an airline that no longer operates as a hub. Once that lease expires there is no plan for additional revenue besides jacking landing fees to sky high status. Maybe if the city had collected fees from vendors operating in the airport earlier back in the 1990s and 2000s it wouldn't be in this bind. Now if Cleveland jacks rates through the roof for a facility that looks and operates like something out of the 1950s in the 2030s how many of the existing airlines will stay?

 

^As a facility---except for immigration--it gets the job done. The recent complaints here on human/airport management things like stupid assemblages of people to greet arriving folks randomly and on handwritten signs--both which make us look like amateurs and small townish---not quite a major global or American city. I don't hate Hopkins by any means, just actions taken (whether by Airport administration or the CCVB) which undermine us as a city.

 

The FAA disagrees with you. The agency fined the city for a serious reason over snow removal last winter and how the city handled a whistleblower. There haven't been minor shortcomings when it comes to running the airport.

 

I'll let you in a little secret. Want to know why there hasn't been a replacement for Ricky Smith?

 

I know of two reasons:

 

1. Experienced people aren't interested in the job because of what happened to earn an FAA fine. It exposed city administrators handling a basic safety situation poorly and then not taking responsibility for it. Nobody in their right mind wants to be associated with a situation like that, even if they are running a smaller airport.

 

2. There are more than one non-aviation administrators in the city who think they know how to run an airport and think they don't need an individual with experience to run it. It's a toxic mindset that hurts Hopkins.

 

Honestly, it's amateur hour compared to how airports are run in similar sized regions and people running other airports know it.

 

^As a facility---except for immigration--it gets the job done. The recent complaints here on human/airport management things like stupid assemblages of people to greet arriving folks randomly and on handwritten signs--both which make us look like amateurs and small townish---not quite a major global or American city. I don't hate Hopkins by any means, just actions taken (whether by Airport administration or the CCVB) which undermine us as a city.

 

Fortunately, the airport and any of its shortcomings are not having much of an influence on the state of the city.  Right now, Cleveland is about as global as its metro area dictates.  As more business moves in, and the metro area experiences the same percentage of growth as downtown, then we can worry about being more global.  So far, things look good, though.  When May and June roll around and the traffic situation is back to normal at Hopkins, we shall see if the city looks at the next steps for improvement.

 

There's literally no interest by international airlines to start service from Hopkins. There's more interest in Columbus or adding a second international flight from Pittsburgh. It is what it is. If you're happy with the current state of Hopkins continue to enjoy non-stop international service to Cancun while other similar sized regions gain service to Paris and London.

 

A regional authority could combine operational control of Hopkins, Canton-Akron, Burke, Cuyahoga County and Akron Fulton airports. It could be used to market the strength of the entire region of 3.5 million people and incorporate the ideas of users from all of NE Ohio and spread revenue to improve the region's airports.

 

Well said. You should write an op-ed to the PD.

With the way the City of Cleveland currently runs things...it would be in everyone's best interest to create another port authority (or perhaps incorporate it with the current Port Authority?).

 

But what incentive would the City, or any other airport have to do that? I'm not sure how this process has worked in the past, with the creation of today's port and GCRTA.

Also, it appears that UAL will keep a substantial gate presence on Concourse C to allow for about 130 flights/day capacity.  I wonder with the recent regime change in Chicago that a rethink of the CLE cuts might be forthcoming

 

I'd like to think that is true, but it seems doubtful.  All the same, I'd love it if they re-established their nonstop to DFW.  Not going to happen since Spirit has its once daily, but it would be nice.  They had a flight leaving at a very convenient time, and ExpressJet always had top-notch service on this route.

A regional authority could combine operational control of Hopkins, Canton-Akron, Burke, Cuyahoga County and Akron Fulton airports. It could be used to market the strength of the entire region of 3.5 million people and incorporate the ideas of users from all of NE Ohio and spread revenue to improve the region's airports.

 

This would be the best thing to happen.  What would it take for this to actually occur, do you think?

Well said. You should write an op-ed to the PD.

 

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that! I don't want people to think I'm Cleveland bashing or slamming Cleveland pols. It's not about that. It's that airport is in real financial trouble. It needs a creative solution.

 

A regional authority could combine operational control of Hopkins, Canton-Akron, Burke, Cuyahoga County and Akron Fulton airports. It could be used to market the strength of the entire region of 3.5 million people and incorporate the ideas of users from all of NE Ohio and spread revenue to improve the region's airports.

 

This would be the best thing to happen.  What would it take for this to actually occur, do you think?

 

I wish there was a simple answer to that. I think when the United lease runs out Cleveland may finally concede that it needs help. The question is, will there be a willingness of others to work together? There's also the possibility Cleveland may market Hopkins to a private company before then.

Well said. You should write an op-ed to the PD.

 

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that! I don't want people to think I'm Cleveland bashing or slamming Cleveland pols. It's not about that. It's that airport is in real financial trouble. It needs a creative solution.

 

 

Facts are facts.  Cleveland is easy to root for and be a cheerleader for, but the leadership has been bad.  We all have the right to call out the way things are run, on our dollar. 

If you want things to run right, then you are being the best kind of cheerleader. Advocacy is often misunderstood.

 

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that! I don't want people to think I'm Cleveland bashing or slamming Cleveland pols. It's not about that. It's that airport is in real financial trouble. It needs a creative solution.

 

 

No complaints here.  The longer I live in Cleveland, the more disappointed I get by the cronyism that brings down the level of services throughout this city. 

 

Our Chief Operating Officer, Darnell Brown, started as a meter reader for the water department.  I'm not opposed to anyone working their way up, but Brown really has no leadership experience (as witnessed by the snowplowing debacle of last winter and pothole debacle of this past spring)  I'm sure there are many more shortcomings in ALL city departments, which lower the level of service to citizens.  When citizens are unhappy, failing schools, crumbling roads and lack of services makes it an easy choice for those people with the means to move elsewhere.  And the cycle repeats.

 

We should probably have an entire thread dedicated to city employee inefficiencies, but your points are well-noted on the airport.  I second the motion to submit your writings to the Plain Dealer editors.

 

^An easier idea to implement might be to have shared ownership with the Cuyahoga County Port Authority. 

 

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that! I don't want people to think I'm Cleveland bashing or slamming Cleveland pols. It's not about that. It's that airport is in real financial trouble. It needs a creative solution.

 

 

No complaints here.  The longer I live in Cleveland, the more disappointed I get by the cronyism that brings down the level of services throughout this city. 

 

Our Chief Operating Officer, Darnell Brown, started as a meter reader for the water department.  I'm not opposed to anyone working their way up, but Brown really has no leadership experience (as witnessed by the snowplowing debacle of last winter and pothole debacle of this past spring)  I'm sure there are many more shortcomings in ALL city departments, which lower the level of service to citizens.  When citizens are unhappy, failing schools, crumbling roads and lack of services makes it an easy choice for those people with the means to move elsewhere.  And the cycle repeats.

 

We should probably have an entire thread dedicated to city employee inefficiencies, but your points are well-noted on the airport.  I second the motion to submit your writings to the Plain Dealer editors.

 

Well said, cronyism continues to be NEO's #1 obstacle.  Regarding the airport, there's only so many layers of lipstick they can put on that pig.  Hopefully the rumors about rebuilding the concourses are true, as long as they don't rebuild with an 80's design as Hopkins seems to be about 3 decades behind.

The FAA disagrees with you. The agency fined the city for a serious reason over snow removal last winter and how the city handled a whistleblower. There haven't been minor shortcomings when it comes to running the airport.

 

Are you suggesting we have self-cleaning runways and taxiways?  My entire point was that it is the 'human' elements that are issues more so than the facility. "Running the airport" is a human thing. Not a bldg thing. In any event, I was responding to a comment above about how 'everyone' hates Hopkins and specifically the comments that were made on this board. It wasn't addressing the overall issues or non-issues at CLE.

The FAA disagrees with you. The agency fined the city for a serious reason over snow removal last winter and how the city handled a whistleblower. There haven't been minor shortcomings when it comes to running the airport.

 

Are you suggesting we have self-cleaning runways and taxiways?  My entire point was that it is the 'human' elements that are issues more so than the facility. "Running the airport" is a human thing. Not a bldg thing. In any event, I was responding to a comment above about how 'everyone' hates Hopkins and specifically the comments that were made on this board. It wasn't addressing the overall issues or non-issues at CLE.

 

Despite many upgrades the facility is poor and way behind other similar sized markets. The concourses being used were designed for aircraft like the 707. The newest concourse sits abandoned. Nobody hates Hopkins, it's just that many know it needs some serious TLC.

Now that United has consolidated their gates to the C-banjo, what do the lower C gates look like now?  Did United move equipment as well, or do they just look like empty United gates?

 

I am curious how long it will be before one of the other airlines moves there.

Now that United has consolidated their gates to the C-banjo, what do the lower C gates look like now?  Did United move equipment as well, or do they just look like empty United gates?

 

I am curious how long it will be before one of the other airlines moves there.

 

They were still using them, at least as of like 3 weeks ago.  Same as it has been in recent times - mainline aircraft in the lower gates, and regional craft in the circular area.  They did give up one gate to Jet Blue, but that was the only thing that looked any different.

No official announcement yet, but a search of flights from Cleveland reveals new service from Frontier starting in April.  Mostly to cities already served (LAX, SFO, SEA, RDU, PHL), but there is new service to PDX (Portland) three days a week.  Personally, I'd love to see Alaska Airlines serve this route, but this is still an increase in service that is welcome.  O/D numbers have been pretty good lately, so this is nice to see.

Now that United has consolidated their gates to the C-banjo, what do the lower C gates look like now?  Did United move equipment as well, or do they just look like empty United gates?

 

I am curious how long it will be before one of the other airlines moves there.

 

They were still using them, at least as of like 3 weeks ago.  Same as it has been in recent times - mainline aircraft in the lower gates, and regional craft in the circular area.  They did give up one gate to Jet Blue, but that was the only thing that looked any different.

 

I flew out of C10 on United on Monday, so not all "banjo" yet

No official announcement yet, but a search of flights from Cleveland reveals new service from Frontier starting in April.  Mostly to cities already served (LAX, SFO, SEA, RDU, PHL), but there is new service to PDX (Portland) three days a week.  Personally, I'd love to see Alaska Airlines serve this route, but this is still an increase in service that is welcome.  O/D numbers have been pretty good lately, so this is nice to see.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2016/01/frontier_airlines_announces_ma.html#incart_sms_app

 

There you are. I LOVE that destination addition and will use it.  Appreciate the work Frontier is doing.  I think we would all love Alaskan to do it as they are a great airline, maybe some day....

 

Cleveland has a good amount of service to the West Coast now despite not having a hub.

 

I believe Los Angeles will be 4x a day on certain days this summer.

 

San Francisco will be 3x a day on certain days.

 

Plus seasonal Seattle and Portland.

 

Pretty stunning considering Cleveland is written off consistently for international flights.

Cleveland has a good amount of service to the West Coast now despite not having a hub.

 

I believe Los Angeles will be 4x a day on certain days this summer.

 

San Francisco will be 3x a day on certain days.

 

Plus seasonal Seattle and Portland.

 

Pretty stunning considering Cleveland is written off consistently for international flights.

 

Since the service is not daily on Frontier, I'm not quite as stunned about being written off for the international flights.

 

Although I am slightly surprised that there hasn't been any interest yet from any of the Middle East carriers, considering the Cleveland Clinic's ties to that region.

Cleveland has a good amount of service to the West Coast now despite not having a hub.

 

I believe Los Angeles will be 4x a day on certain days this summer.

 

San Francisco will be 3x a day on certain days.

 

Plus seasonal Seattle and Portland.

 

Pretty stunning considering Cleveland is written off consistently for international flights.

 

Since the service is not daily on Frontier, I'm not quite as stunned about being written off for the international flights.

 

Although I am slightly surprised that there hasn't been any interest yet from any of the Middle East carriers, considering the Cleveland Clinic's ties to that region.

 

I know F9 isn't daily but it's a lot of service to the west coast compared to similar regional markets.

 

I could be wrong but I believe Pittsburgh has zero non-stops to Los Angeles.

 

I know Cincinnati, which is still a hub, has something like 4x week service to San Francisco.

 

I believe the only non-stop to San Francisco from Columbus is through Oakland.

 

I know F9 isn't daily but it's a lot of service to the west coast compared to similar regional markets.

 

I could be wrong but I believe Pittsburgh has zero non-stops to Los Angeles.

 

I know Cincinnati, which is still a hub, has something like 4x week service to San Francisco.

 

I believe the only non-stop to San Francisco from Columbus is through Oakland.

 

Good points, although American Airlines has an early morning once daily flight to LAX.  Once April hits, you are right, we will have an impressive array of West Coast flights.  Even Philly doesn't have a Portland flight, and they are a hub!

Speaking of amateur, I flew out this morning and cringed when I saw the HAND-WRITTEN (in marker) signs on drywall directing passengers to airlines, TSA Pre, etc.    I was in a hurry so failed to snap a picture--maybe someone else could grab one. 

 

Really CLE?  You guys didn't see this coming with the construction?  Go to Kinkos or something and have a bunch of airlines and arrows printed up. 

 

Going back to this---Scene Magazine has now picked up on what I was complaining about:

 

http://photos.clevescene.com/16-photos-that-explain-the-hopkins-airport-experience/#1

 

http://photos.clevescene.com/16-photos-that-explain-the-hopkins-airport-experience/#14

^ The signs don't bother me in the slightest. The place is under construction. There will be messy and sloppy details here and there. It will be over soon enough.

^ The signs don't bother me in the slightest. The place is under construction. There will be messy and sloppy details here and there. It will be over soon enough.

 

Me either... I love the snarky captions in Scene.  Catches the angst so well.

I was in about 50 airports last year---including some that were under construction (in fact, in multi-terminal airports there ALWAYS seems to be some kind of instruction).  I can tell you I've never seen hand-drawn signs before, complete in multi-colors like an elementary school carnival.  Most other airports would have ran to the local Fedex Office or SignPro and spent $50 to have printed signs made.  Hopkins is run by amateur non-aviation people.  And these signs help prove it.

 

 

I was in about 50 airports last year---including some that were under construction (in fact, in multi-terminal airports there ALWAYS seems to be some kind of instruction).  I can tell you I've never seen hand-drawn signs before, complete in multi-colors like an elementary school carnival.  Most other airports would have ran to the local Fedex Office or SignPro and spent $50 to have printed signs made.  Hopkins is run by amateur non-aviation people.  And these signs help prove it.

 

Lol yeah, I completely agree.. Those signs are rough

I like the multicolor hand drawn sign. That other one is certainly a problem.

I was in about 50 airports last year---including some that were under construction (in fact, in multi-terminal airports there ALWAYS seems to be some kind of instruction).  I can tell you I've never seen hand-drawn signs before, complete in multi-colors like an elementary school carnival.  Most other airports would have ran to the local Fedex Office or SignPro and spent $50 to have printed signs made.  Hopkins is run by amateur non-aviation people.  And these signs help prove it.

 

Maybe... I was in Terminal A at DFW several times while it was under construction... I saw plenty of hand-drawn signs, or more often, just magic marker written on drywall, in that long corridor that was the site of construction.  At least the Southwest logo was written nicely on the one sign.

It's a sign.  Did it tell you where you needed to go?  If so, quit being so petty and follow it.

It's not petty. It's about how the airport chooses to display itself. A strong managerial system with a focus on quality would require quality throughout the airport, including its signage. The signage is a symptom of a poorly run airport.

 

As an anecdote, I once landed at Hopkins late in the evening (last april). When we arrived at the gate, the pilot said they couldn't find a ground crew to bring us into the gate. He literally told the passengers that it was so late in the evening that 'the ground crew forgot about us.' We sat there for 20 minutes until someone noticed that we were there and got us up to the gate. There needs to be an overhaul of the management here.

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

Agree

 

Cleveland will be in an uphill battle during the RNC after people arrive at that bunker.

It's not petty. It's about how the airport chooses to display itself. A strong managerial system with a focus on quality would require quality throughout the airport, including its signage. The signage is a symptom of a poorly run airport.

 

As an anecdote, I once landed at Hopkins late in the evening (last april). When we arrived at the gate, the pilot said they couldn't find a ground crew to bring us into the gate. He literally told the passengers that it was so late in the evening that 'the ground crew forgot about us.' We sat there for 20 minutes until someone noticed that we were there and got us up to the gate. There needs to be an overhaul of the management here.

 

LOL i can't even begin to count the number of times that has happened to me over the past 30-years at numerous airports.  This is very common.  And not just late at night but all times of the day.

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

Agree

 

Cleveland will be in an uphill battle during the RNC after people arrive at that bunker.

 

Airports are bus stations...and the only thing that the RNC delegates will care about at the airport is how quickly they get in, retrieve their bags, and get on their way to the hotel....Hopkins is not a show place...all it needs is to be clean and for the most part it is

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

Agree

 

Cleveland will be in an uphill battle during the RNC after people arrive at that bunker.

 

Hopkins definitely isn't the best airport, especially during its construction phase.. But, it's defiantly not the worst, it service its purpose. Compared to many airports I've been to over the years I like it a lot

It's not petty. It's about how the airport chooses to display itself. A strong managerial system with a focus on quality would require quality throughout the airport, including its signage. The signage is a symptom of a poorly run airport.

 

As an anecdote, I once landed at Hopkins late in the evening (last april). When we arrived at the gate, the pilot said they couldn't find a ground crew to bring us into the gate. He literally told the passengers that it was so late in the evening that 'the ground crew forgot about us.' We sat there for 20 minutes until someone noticed that we were there and got us up to the gate. There needs to be an overhaul of the management here.

 

LOL i can't even begin to count the number of times that has happened to me over the past 30-years at numerous airports.  This is very common.  And not just late at night but all times of the day.

 

This happens to me frequently at DFW.

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

Agree

 

Cleveland will be in an uphill battle during the RNC after people arrive at that bunker.

 

Airports are bus stations...and the only thing that the RNC delegates will care about at the airport is how quickly they get in, retrieve their bags, and get on their way to the hotel....Hopkins is not a show place...all it needs is to be clean and for the most part it is

 

Agree. This has always been my opinion. Get in and get out. For some reason a lot of you like to make the airport part of your vacation and/or work experience. Eat, drink, shop., just get me to where I need to go and resemble somewhat of a first world facility

I fly in and out of CLE pretty much every month. The place is run like it's a glorified bus station - and it shows.

Agree

 

Cleveland will be in an uphill battle during the RNC after people arrive at that bunker.

 

Airports are bus stations...and the only thing that the RNC delegates will care about at the airport is how quickly they get in, retrieve their bags, and get on their way to the hotel....Hopkins is not a show place...all it needs is to be clean and for the most part it is

It's part of the experience, just as restaurants they visit, hotels they stay in, cabs they take.  Further, the airport is the first (and last) impression many people will have of Cleveland, and frankly it's not a very good one.

Airports should be pleasant experiences. They're a reflection of the city, the first or last place you see, and there's something to be said for aesthetics. Plus if you're stuck there for a while, why wouldn't you expect some kind of comfort and hospitality.

 

Check out the Indianapolis airport if you ever have the opportunity; it makes such a great impression on the city, really lifts everyone's mood.

^Why, what do they do so different? Just curious as I have never been there.

Indianapolis: recently built (from the ground up) billion-dollar 21st century terminal - with airy design and great local restaurants...

Indy is super nice.  Even Buffalo has a nicer terminal than CLE.  We keep putting pig on the lipstick.  Time to catch up with the rest of the world....