BA does have many faults but name me an airline that doesn't. The negative postings about length of time to command if joining BA now are true due to the simple fact that many young guys will be senior to you and and will remain so for the next 20 years or so until they retire. The same thing has happened before.
Despite the whingeing and moaning the company has many, many attributes. If thinking about it, do your homework, jump through the hoops and join if it appeals.
If the package becomes so poor against other airlines it will be interesting to actually see market forces at work!
As an aside I don't believe many people in their 20s and 30s even think about pensions. I took great interest around my 40th birthday.
