ASTA, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Network Associates and Uniglobe Travel USA joined forces to present opening arguments to the Independent Arbitration Panel (IAP) to combat the Airline Reporting Corporation's annual fee increase. The arguments are part of the discovery process in what is expected to be a long, costly but necessary battle. Hearings are slated for early June. The ARC fee hikes are widely opposed by agents, who sold $79.8 billion last year according to ARC data. (GD