CBP Facility to be Opened in Abu Dhabi

[nwaf16dude]

Any compelling reason US carriers can't switch from DXB to AUH to take advantage of the CBP pre-screening?

The only current US markets served by Etihad from AUH are ORD and JFK, while Emirates, United & Delta serve DXB to a number of US cities. So why AUH for the CBP facility and not DXB?

A couple of factors in play here... Our military presence in the UAE is almost exclusively in Abu Dhabi. Also, most of the oil that remains in the UAE is in Abu Dhabi. They have been very cooperative in the "war on terror." Probably their most influential choice was their decision to make large purchases of US weaponry. Prior to their F-16 purchase, they bought almost exclusively from the French.

Although they are part of the same country, the individual emirate leadership is more influential than the central govt, and the Abu Dhabi leadership is decidedly more pro US than Dubai. In the grand scheme of things, Dubai has plateaued, and Abu Dhabi is on more of an upward arc. The competition between the two is pretty intense.

 

[Furloughed80]

Abu Dhabi will have the first CBP facility; Dubai, Doha, and other cities will follow shortly.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Exactly....its a waterfall event. Once one Emirate gets it....they all will!!

This is huge for OUR jobs. Domestic, International, Regional.....we all would be affected by cabotage. This is the nose under the tent and if you dont' think they will use their money to buy further influence? Ask a Canadian about it and the Blackberry censorship issue from 2 years ago.

 

[Flyer1015]

No US airline serves Abu Dhabi. If this facility opens, then the US airlines can/should fly there. So the argument is what, again? That a customs pre-clearance should only be opened in a city served by an USA airline?

 

[Flyer1015]

You'll wondering where did my job go when they try to use their money and influence and break down the Cabotage laws and start flying ORD-MIA or even (gasp) Lubbock to Hobby.

This is a threat to us all with low wages, no real work rules, no seniority....that's the way the Middle East Carriers roll.

Lahood spoke at a dinner for the American Arab league last night, so I ask you, who do they work for?

I'd rather be a "whiny" pilot than take this one lying down.

That's quite a long stretch to go from a customs pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi to Emirates flying from Chicago to Miami. Yet another ALPA-hyped scenario.

 

[8sugarsugar]

I'm curious when this thread will turn into, "Delta is a better job than Emirates, na na na na boo boo"

 

[8sugarsugar]

http://dubaieye1038.com/page/Sir_Maurice_Flanagan_16.04.2013/110821?feed=5

reposting this from PPRUNE

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

That's quite a long stretch to go from a customs pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi to Emirates flying from Chicago to Miami. Yet another ALPA-hyped scenario.

How's that sand taste......whenever you pull your head out, let us know!!!

 

[Jetjockey]

Let's make the discussion about the issue of using US Taxpayer dollars to help a foreign airline that already is heavily subsidized by it's own government.

Why does the US need a pre-clearance facility in UAE?? And since US taxpayer dollars are proposed, does it benefit US jobs? I stand with ALPA, Airlines 4 America, et. al and say NO to the crown prince's wishes. Take your oil money and go build another skyscraper.

 

[General Lee]

How's that sand taste......whenever you pull your head out, let us know!!!

I sort of agree with 1015, but a problem may exist coming up here. A custom clearance in Abu Dhabi wouldn't really affect us, and it certainly doesn't mean cabotage within the US. There aren't enough pilots anywhere in the World to support that type if growth, and pre clearance 14 hours away isn't a huge deal. That affects the European carriers a lot more, with their connections to SE Asia, Australia, and India/Pakistan. That is the only place it affects us, connections to India/Pakistan. Anywhere else, and it is quicker to fly nonstop from the US, not to the ME first. Now, what we do have to see is some protectionism until those carriers can prove that they are playing fair, without the cheap loans, etc. Europe will eventually see that those ME airlines and countries can't offer enough back to keep it a fair trade of slots. Lufthansa can fill one A340 to Dubai per day from connections from Europe, but Emirates can charge less due to cheaper labor, gas, and easy loans from Boeing. Does that sound fair? No wonder France, Germany, and Canada restrict them. They have nothing to trade with. Can you fill multiple widebodies to just Dubai or Abu Dhabi, both hot sandpits? Doubtful. Most of their traffic is transit, and they take away from National airlines like AF, KLM, and Lufthansa. If the ME airlines don't like it, will they stop buying Airbus or Boeing? Too bad, go buy Comac or Antonov widebodies...




Bye Bye---General Lee