Yes. A4A (formerly ATA) is the trade group for the corporate side of the airlines are jointly pushing the issue with ALPA.

Unfortunately UCAL is run by a moron and both UCAL and AMR are very busy still integrating their mergers. ALPA and DAL, along with A4A is all we've got right now that can put lots of focus on govt issues.

ALPA-PAC is considerably larger than A4A's PAC. They are NOT as visible or as effective as ALPA on Capitol Hill.

Traditional lobbying efforts have failed. Alpa PAC has fought the good fight but has repeatedly come up empty. It's past time to change tactics. Time to start negotiating in public with full page ads in the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Washington Post & USA Today.

At what point is enough enough? Thus is JUST the beginning of Cabbotage. For those who say it can't/won't happen. You toss enough PAC money at the idiots in Congress and they'll pass anything. They'll sell it as a way to end the upcoming pilot shortage. Once this happens the surviving carriers will be left with Donestic narrow body's and that's it.

The Pre-screening facility needs to be shut down at any cost up to and including a nationwide SOS.

If not now...when?

Why preclearance in Abu Dhabi is good for the U.S. | TheHill

The facility will save money for the U.S. government. The U.A.E. has agreed to cover 85% of the costs associated with the preclearance facility. These costs — including the salaries of CBP officers and the expense of operating systems — would otherwise be incurred at the U.S. airport of arrival and thus borne by the U.S. government. It is worth noting that even though the U.A.E. is picking up a major part of the tab, it will have no voice in the operation of the facility and no say over the official screening decisions or procedures of the CBP officers. In this time of fiscal austerity, a new preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi is an innovative and effective way to enhance U.S. security and save money at the same time.

What a total load of bullsqueeze. When it doesn't meet the standards, lower the standards. That's the new American way.

This will turn out to be tragic, there is no doubt whatsoever. But I am sure there will be no pressure brought to bear on which "locals" to hire, or if there isn't there will be absolute security for those Americans that are stationed there, and their families. Nothing for people with nefarious intent to grab onto here... naaaaaaah. The UAE just bought a pipeline right into the heart of America's security, and nobody cares because the bills are paid.

They will not stop. Ever.

I pray you are wrong T but it is very disconcerting.

Here is an article that I read years ago, that IMHO sums all this up pretty well. pilotrob and those that are getting paychecks from these same people are too close to the forest to see the trees. I don't care how nice they are on the surface, islamists wants to destroy our way of life, and given a choice and chance, they will. This facility is an opportunity that will be exploited. Those that believe otherwise are naive.

And I have no idea who this officer is that made this speech, but I think it is pretty spot on. HArd to argue with history.

T, we have had wonderful conversations, and I of course appreciate your feedback on APC. Though we disagree in many regards, I always appreciate someone with an opinion and that can back in up with facts. This above statement sounds so close minded, and it smells of bigotry. You brought up Islamists, or Muslims, is this your take on Muslims world wide? Let's try to keep an open mind here. Some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life are from Iran, U.A.E., Syria, etc. Are there extremists with religion? Do some ruin it for the rest? Not everything out here is what you watch on Fox News, and I wish more Americans or people in general would stop putting people in categories based on color, religion, sex, etc. If you disagree with the government on this, cheers, and best of luck. But planes in to towers and the generalization of the Middle East population sounds very ignorant. People here are the same as home, they want the best for their families, and are very open and love America and what it stands for. Please don't confuse the majority for Islamists terrorists.

I can burn an American flag in my frontyard. Can you burn a koran in yours?

Well said T, I wish there were more people in this world that thought different than you. Safe flying!

Some of us choose to spend our time trying to make the world a better place. Good luck with your efforts.