Today attorneys for USAPA filed a motion (Doc 132) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to file a brief amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) in the antitrust action brought by the Department of Justice and other states' attorneys general, against American and US Airways. Amicus filings are often made by someone who is not a party to the case, but has information that bears on the case. The proposed brief would be in support of the merger and in opposition to the US government's position. While the Allied Pilots Association and other unions from American Airlines have sought and received permission to file an amicus brief, USAPA, in its papers, urged the Court to allow the views of pilots and other employees at US Airways to be heard. USAPA advanced the argument that the experience and views of USAPA and the other potential unions were distinct from the unions at American Airlines. The Court requires that the positions of the parties be ascertained prior to the filing of the motion. While the United States government had no objection to USAPA having its position heard in the antitrust action, both US Airways and AMR expressed opposition to the filing of the brief.