OK thanks for the replies but Ozi I don't want to be a contract pilot. You guys are happy to take the money but aren't too bothered about long-term employment or conditions. I was asking the current Ryanair pilots if they would recommend switching from EZY to Ryanair, but I agree the pay is the main attraction at this moment.
I am an existing Balpa member for a very good reason - I am a specialist in a closed employment market. If I couldn't fly I couldn't earn £45000 a year unless I went into business for myself. Without union representation there are several other "evil genius accountants" out there who would love to separate me from my good salary as a UK pilot. Highly-paid specialists need strong unionisation, otherwise they might as well kiss their comfortable lives goodbye.
O'Leary calls it the British Airways Low Pay Association, but BALPA / REPA are the very agents MOL fears as they presume to take away his despotic powers over a large and very necessary chunk of his personnel.
Contract pilots with the same mercenary attitude as his Highness are going to be a very essential part of the scene in the future I think.