You really are dense. It is not about one pre-clearance facility. It is about ensuring a level playing field in a global marketplace. Unlike the US Government which taxes our industry to death, governments in places like the Middle East are heavily backing and promoting theirs. Are you willing to watch your own tax dollars diverted to further help their cause at the expense of your own career?

http://www.alpa.org/portals/alpa/mag...3_Maritime.pdf

Of course, given who you work for it probably doesn't matter to you. I get a good laugh though out of you mocking ALPA pay rates now vs. pre- 9/11 while you are sitting in the left seat wearing your "hip" uniform working for Sir Richard the Fabulous.

Did you hear the new budget passing preventing a government shutdown this month included an increase in taxes on airlines (again). Or is that not on your radar? There is no such thing as a "level playing field" in a global market. Someone, somewhere, will always do what you are doing at a cheaper rate.

True. But in your case you at least pay, for the most part, the same taxes and fees that everyone else does in the domestic market. You cut deals for aircraft that is not subsidized by a third party. Your cost advantages lie in areas that has little or nothing to do with direct Government policy. That is fair enough. However, imagine a few years from now after your company has grown more and your contract / working conditions have improved as well. Would you tolerate another startup coming into your markets and undercutting you with heavy and sustained US Government / local government support? No taxes on baggage fees, reduced TSA fees, landing fees waived, and so on. Would that be acceptable to you? Obviously we can't control what the UAE does for Emirates. All we can do is lobby in DC to limit the excess burden being placed on US carriers. The more of us they hear from, the better. To shrug our shoulders and do nothing is foolish.