Bailing out the airline industry is hardly the same thing as drilling in Alaska. The airline industry provides many thousands of jobs for American workers,some of whom have already been laid off as well as providing vital transportation for people as well as freight.
I'll grant you that there might be better ways of helping them than simply giving them the cash but it's certainly the quickest.
As for "corporate welfare" tell that to all the men and women who have been laid off. Check in with Big Mick. He's probably been talking to some of them.

troll