Rangeball! I have added you to my list of "Pool Forum Heroes"! I followed your directions and within 60 seconds everything is working like a charm!

Why do I ever call the pool store?? I was afraid I may have damaged something by letting it suck air for so long this morning. Amazing that the guy there was so emphatic and even rather sarcastic that I could never get it primed if I had the valves open! I think I need to introduce him to this forum so he can find that he doesn't know what he's talking about!

Many thanks again. You saved me an expensive service call.