Standby1
IMHO:
1. Disillusionment – take a look at the thread entitled “Airlines Seek Stay On Pilot Fatigue Rule”, in particular the post by Danny with regard to the words of Captain Woerth of the US ALPA. Can anyone in the UK even imagine a BALPA man having the intestinal fortitude to stand up to airlines in like manner? No, pilots here like to spend their hard-earned money on things that give good value and likely return. BALPA is not one of them. And, contrary to another suggestion elsewhere, 1% of a pilot’s salary is quite a high premium to pay merely for litigation insurance (which is the only return that may be realisable for the vast majority of union members here).
2. Thatcherism – we still have not risen above the violent striking down of unionism during the Thatcher years. We were duped into believing that any form of solidarity among workers was tantamount to high treason and we remain so duped.
3. Selfishness – we are not alone in becoming more focussed upon our own lives than with keeping the overall picture in view. Perhaps we will one day realise that only the collective worth is of true value.
That’s my six penneth.