Airline Pilot Central Forums - Abu Dhabi prescreening

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotrob23 (Post 1564886)

I remember when Ireland in 1986 was opened, everyone was wondering about that. What is in it for Americans? Damn Irish?!

Classic strawman argument.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob (Post 1564945)

I'm sure there are a lot more Irish Americans that travel back and forth between Ireland and the US than Emirate Americans traveling between Abu Dhabi and the US.

You might want to look at the traffic that comes in and out of the U.A.E., it certainly isn't locals or people from the Middle East. A reason why Dubai and Abu Dhabi are perfectly centralized for a hub and spoke system to everywhere in the world. A lot of Indians and Asians.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1564897)

I am not paranoid, but I do find it odd that the US gov't would choose Abu Dhabi as a site in which to open a preclearance facility...I only have to ask why.

I've done the desert. I don't hate it and I'm not "afraid" of "them", but all you guys flying in the desert are there because the opportunities weren't here at home for you. That is a huge concern of mine going forward...I have an 8 year old. I don't want him to have to expat in order to have opportunity. Back in my expat/diplomat days, there was a line DIA/CIA/NSA used to feed us "don't go native" because if you go native you lose perspective on what your actual goals are.

If you are defending the Abu Dhabi preclearance facility, gents, you've gone native. Now, I don't care if you are a sellout and love living over there. Just realize, this is a brick in the wall keeping you away from good options in the states.

It is business, plain and simple. The unions can throw up their arms, you can scream terrorists and Muslims, but this is business. Why is anyone surprised? The 11-1 expat ratio here is wonderful, and it is an eye opener. I think some on here should visit, and maybe they would understand how ignorant they sound. I am just counting the days to get this Administration changed, and turn America around. Cheers guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotrob23 (Post 1566375)

A lot of Indians and Asians.

So why again is it important for the United States of AMERICA to fund and pay for a facility in a foreign country that benefits relatively few American citizens?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotrob23 (Post 1566379)

Glad you like it there. And thanks for resurrecting this thread. You reminded me to finish my letter to rubio.

Wonder how much ALPA PAC money was thrown at this failure. :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmer Fudd (Post 1566772)

Wonder how much ALPA PAC money was thrown at this failure. :eek:

IMO, it was a justifiable expenditure, but, you are certainly onto something... It highlighted an gross inconsistency. The PAC isn't there just to win, but to lobby for our interests.

I wonder how much Abu Dhabi money was thrown at this and who it went to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmer Fudd (Post 1566772)

Wonder how much ALPA PAC money was thrown at this failure. :eek:

I suppose you're a donor at the "President's Circle" level, and you're just venting your frustrations...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1566777)

Exactly. I'm guessing there are many congressmen that got a little cream.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmer Fudd (Post 1566772)

Wonder how much ALPA PAC money was thrown at this failure. :eek:

No PAC money was "thrown at this", that isn't how it works. The omnibus spending bill was "closed" as part of the agreement to get it passed. A congressman on the rules committee was able to have a vote called to open it for this issue, but failed on party lines. Over 150 congressmen signed a letter to DHS supporting the stoppage in the spring and there are over 140 co-sponsoring HR 3488, the most recent House effort to stop it. The bill is bi-partisan, sponsored with one Dem and one Rep, and the co-sponsors are split roughly 50/50. It has momentum right now and it is VERY IMPORTANT that all ALPA pilots complete the call to action on this issue. We can and will win, but you've got to do your part!

You have to care, your career will be lost without a little bit of effort.

It is an election year and PAC contributions can and will help put pilot partisan members in office and keep pilot partison members in their seats. $22/month-Capitol Club ($11 per paycheck) by every pilot would give the PAC amazing muscle in DC to fix what we need to fix.

That could be 53,000 x 22 x 12 = $13.99 million per year!
ALPA PAC currently does about $1 mil per year and is one of the top 50 PACs.. ALPA PAC could be in the top 5 and better funded than the NRA if we had full participation! Get involved!