Oldisme, I use my thumb nail to start lifting them. If I'm unwinding I then lift all the way, if I am winding to put away once the top is cracked it is easy to run the thread end around a few time.
Just for the record, I like coats and clark cotton thread very much, and the hand quilting thread is my favorite.
But I have voted with my feet on the machine thread entirely because of those notches. Also it doesn't take long to lose the paper stickers that tell what thread you are picking up, the poly/cotton or the cotton. Life is just too short for those kind of little irritations when there are so many more to choose from now.
Onebyone, I'll look at the C&C next time I'm out. thanks for the update!