Joining the IPA/IPF, for me was the right thing to do. I don't take away anything that the balpa members have said in here. I know from my experience of being a union rep over the years that it is also down the reps to make the membership experience a good one for all there members.
I hear and understand what the balpa members have said but at the same time I've also spoken pilots who are not in balpa or pilots who have recently joined balpa due to inpending possible strike action being taken in their airline. When asked why they joined they said it was just due to the fact that they might have to go on strike.
Please don't take my last comment out of context. I'm sure that if worked for a airline that had a union recognition and they were about to go out on strike then I would also join for my protection.
Its just that i've also read what a the balpa members have written in here and some of them have not got all the facts right.
Please below
"All ‘Full IPA/IPF’ members are provided with Legal Expenses cover under the group Basic Legal Scheme, that provides up to £10,000 of cover for incidents relating to their employment with a UK operator (there is an excess payable by the member in the event of a claim).
Such incidents that may be covered are representation of the member at hearings into aircraft accidents or incidents anywhere in the world, or pursuit/defence of any claim or legal proceedings arising out of the member’s employment against a UK based employer and pursuit of a claim against any third party for injury to the member happening within the UK.
This is a useful benefit of membership for ‘Full IPA/IPF’ members that is funded by the IPA but provided by MJ Mac & Co general insurance brokers, administered by Abbey Legal Protection and underwritten by Brit Insurance Ltd. There is, therefore, no element of discretion on the part of the Association as to which cases will be supported.
It is recognised, however, that £10,000 of cover will run out very quickly in the event of even a small claim so the Association recommends that additional cover is purchased by the member through the Supplementary Scheme for which concessionary rates are available for IPA members.
There is a range of options available depending upon the Limit of Indemnity and Territorial Limits required, as shown below:
TerritorialLimits Limit of Indemnity Annual Premium (including IPT)
Worldwide excl. USA £125,000 £89.25
Worldwide excl. USA £250,000 £137.55
Worldwide incl. USA £125,000 £147.00
In all cases, should a claim be made the Basic Scheme is used to fund the excess payable under the Supplementary Scheme so there is no further cost to the insured member.
A further benefit of the Supplementary Scheme is a free legal advice telephone line that provides confidential and impartial advice on General Legal matters, Employment matters and Aviation Legal matters."
One of the previous post got the level of cover wrong.
I've always thought that it is important to remember where you have come from and what you have achieved, at the same time you must always support others who have the desire to strive to reach their goals to and this is one of the reasons that I've decided to Join the IPA. They help people get there first flying jobs and that is something that none of us should ever forget or even turn our backs on.
Be a member of both unions if you have to. look upon it as giving something back to the organisation that helped you when you were a lot younger than you are now.
