No access because US airlines CHOOSE not to go to Abu Dhabi. It's one thing if our airlines were prohibited from operating into Abu Dhabi, and then I could see why this might be an issue. But as of right now, the doors are open, and American, United, Delta are all welcome into AUH.

Customs pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi does not affect the airline industry "stability" as ALPA tries to make you believe.

you know, even a junior high school Economics student could tell you ALPA's argument is BS

Regardless of your opinion of ALPA, why are valuable US taxpayer funds being used to fund a pre-clear in Abu Dhabi?

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.

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).

Today, now, this minute, it may not hugely impact postively the US business climate. However, looking down the road, it probably will, if business expansion and trade between the countries grows. This is likely also a "lets see how it works" period, similar to rock stars who start their tours in Japan before finishing in USA. they can polish the show and work on their acts before hometown USA.

obviously, I am sure politics comes into play. Maybe someone over there was promised something. similar to when Kenya or Ethiopa allowed their runways to be used for refueling US military aircraft. magically they got fast tracked for visas and now every cab driver at DFW is from those countries. meanwhile Juan, from south of our border, who wants to lay sheetrock and send money home, is "the enemy" and receives the full brunt of US immigration enforcement

ranting.....later

So your supporting the opposite of ALPA's request simply out of spite? Classy. :rolleyes:

Gents, I'm sorry, but The Dominican has hit the nail on the head. It has nothing to do with pre-clearance, or whatever other BS these clowns would have you believe. It's all about service. If I had to travel between HKG and NYC, I'd rather fly in this cabin

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../4/2147426.jpg

than this one.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../3/1789303.jpg

This also happens in other countries as well, such as Canada, Ireland, and in the Bahamas, for customers coming to the U.S. Has ALPA approached this issue before, Since Janet N seems pretty excited about this?! This program started when, back in the early 50's by American Airlines? Ya, huge impact on pilots ALPA, get the President on the line!

Not even close. I am saying that ALPA's priorities are beyond screwed up as this is not even relevant to US pilots, unlike the issues I've brought up that are directly affecting your average ALPA pilot. This is just like a decade ago, while we were losing pay, pensions, work rules, scope and seeing our contracts gutted all the while executive compensation was reaching record highs, ALPA was fighting for CrewPass/TWIC while telling us to suck it up and accept this unprecedented erosion of our profession.

When Age 65 fight came about, ALPA dropped the opposition to it "to have a say in the implementation process" despite the membership wishes. It just goes to show you that ALPA is growing more and more irrelevant by the day.

To get back on point of the thread, I'm all for improving customer experience. Pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi (and hopefully Dubai) would serve that purpose. So the question is... why not?

Because that would be taking pilot jobs in the U.S. away, and restoring power to the industry. Ya, this will show management. Even though they can't run a business, having Abu Dhabi pre-clearance shut down will be a huge win for all the pilot groups.

They're not. Host government pays for these expenses.

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.

"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.