This works for me:
set var Date_A date=null
set var Date_A = (GETDATE('Pick Processing Start Date'))
IF Date_A = 01/01/2009 THEN
SET VAR vAbort = 1
PAUSE 2 USING 'OPERATION ABORTED! NO DATE PICKED.'
else
pause 2 using .Date_A
ENDIF
returnBernie Lis P.S. I removed the extra P in OPERATION.

