I'm quite sure that this idea wasn't the sole inspiration of the BACC. Any ex-RAF airline pilot faced with an up to date knowledge of pilot and staff shortages in the Service, and faced with likely redundancy from their own company, would have pondered about the chances of re-joining, whether on a temporary or semi-permanent basis. He or she might even have followed up on a personal basis to contacts within the RAF or via their own company PLC. The difference here is the clout of the BACC with its own company and its ability to formulate policy with it. It is interesting that you both use the term 'Big BALPA' to differentiate it from the BACC (which presumably is 'Little BALPA'?). No other PLC/CC can wield the power of the BACC, they invariably have to seek the help and advice of BALPA itself in best representing their pilots interests. But here we are led to believe that the BACC is consulting with BA and the MOD, and on behalf of who? My guess would be of BA pilots.
Can you not understand that if the PLC of any other UK airline was doing the same thing that BA pilots would be rightly outraged that a such deal was being done on behalf of the pilots of that company and not of UK airline pilots as a whole? Justice and fairness calls for this initiative to be carried on by BALPA, not the BACC, and on behalf of all UK airline pilots and not just BA ones. The real negotiation is of course not with the companies but with the MOD who will call the shots. They can choose who they please and should do. BALPA is honour bound to ensure that choice is open to all their members and not biased to any one particular company.