I joined BALP in late 2000, early 01 having been recommended by a colleauge who suggested that as a corporate pilot working for a private owner I might one day have need of their legal services.
In addition to the monthly "log" all I ever got from BALPA was a constant flow of political letters advising me of an internal power struggle, and reason to either vote for, or against, canditates vying to be elected chariman or secratary of the organisation.
I have no idea who they elected to the post, but the money I and so many others spent in "dues" was surely spent on union infighting rather than promoting real causes that could have otherwise been addressed.
Needless to say I am no longer a member of an organisation that places a higher priority on arguing over its own internal politics rather than concentrating on the problems of their members as they are paid to do.