I don't see where you get the idea this issue is not known about. .Please read the latest 'Airwaves'. .Nomination is until 01 April - how auspicious. .Nominations considered 05 March - now that does seem odd - 05 April would make more sense. .Announcement of nominations - 02 April - there does seem to be a 'cock-up' on dates here. .If election necessary - 22 April-17 June - that seems fair enough. .It says if you have any queries, contact Gillian Pole - so, if you have a problem - do what it says. .I was with BA for 19 years and, to be frank, it did seem that BALPA was owned by BA. .I think BA are about the last employer you have to worry about - the real 'nasty bastards' have been at it for years - BA is only just learning. .The man for the job should be just that - it makes no difference who he works for but I do suggest that a BA person may well not be fully au fait with what a real, nasty employer gets up to - unless, of course, he has non-BA experience. .On numbers, I guess BA still is the lion's share but the rest are growing!. .Strange to say, the job we are talking about does not have to be a pilot, or ex-pilot - we would like him to be but please consider just about any business you can think of - including politics - are the leaders/directors/MPs., etc people from that industry? Very, very rarely - it can often be 'the wood from the trees' scenario. I have often protested about such people 'not knowing the job/what they are talking about', etc but, I have to admit, they are not doing that job - they are running a business/enterprise/whatever - that usually calls for totally different skills - hard to admit, but it's true. .However, no reason why a BA Captain couldn't do it, and do it well - equally, no reason why he/she should be BA, either - also, no reason why they need to be a pilot at all. .If you are concerned, then take an active role - '.... or get off the pot' comes to mind. .The personal bit is not really that clever - we all form views about people we don't know - how often that perspective changes if we take the trouble to get to know them - see what I mean?. .If your views are that strong - get along to your council and put yourself forward for nomination. .You can tell I've just got back from the pub but, even so,there is a democratic process - use it!. .Talk of Mugabe, etc.,really is a little OTT - we are all supposed to understand CRM, etc - I don't think views expressed in such a way would give me much confidence in a tight corner - it's pub talk, isn't it?. .Talk to anybody who has had an individual dispute and see if BALPA membership helped them. My guess is, yes!. .Don't put that at risk, please - the dynamics of large-scale situations we now face are a very different kettle of fish.There will always be losers and winners in this sort of scenario but, overall, BALPA has looked after us over the years - I do not detect any deterioration in representation - but a good, steady progress over time against all the factors that have had to be dealt with. .OK - enough from me - just my views - but if you reall want to help and really have grievances, then get stuck in - I'm sure you would be welcomed <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />