Originally Posted by
Sniper
Regardless of your opinion of ALPA, why are valuable US taxpayer funds being used to fund a pre-clear in Abu Dhabi?
They're not. Host government pays for these expenses.
Will customs and immigration lines in the US be significantly reduced by instituting this pre-clear? There's very little travel between the US and Abu Dhabi, so, unlikely. The US agents sent to staff this post will cost more than they would had they processed these passengers in the US too.
There are currently 2 flights a day on Etihad with many more likely coming as the airport expands. They should expand this program to Dubai as well.
I just don't see the reason Abu Dhabi is deserving of a pre-clear. For those on this forum who are supportive, please explain why Abu Dhabi needs this or is deserving of this (other than to politically pander to the UAE, of course).
"Deserving" is not the appropriate word - they're willing to pay for having it, so why not? I just hope they get it in DXB as well.