It is often said to be a BA pilot union but this is unjust as BA pilots make up less than 50% of BALPA pilots.
There's a red herring if ever there was! The majority of pilots join BALPA for the legal protection. This means that the spread of membership is
not based upon how well some pilots think they'll be represented, but is largely due to the "insurance" against individual, illegal victimisation.
The fact is that BALPA has a proven history of fighting well for the interests of BA pilots, but has an equally proven history of frequent, miserable failure when representing pilots in other companies. There are success stories (and no doubt some will respond by describing them as "evidence" in support of a counter argument), but they are few and far between when compared to BA success stories.
BALPA can only be as strong and the sum total of the members who support the association. Easy to criticise, harder to fight.
Without support it is a tiger without teeth. Like all professional bodies it relies on its members to give it strength and enable it to succeed.
I tire of hearing this cop out! It must be part of the indoctrination process for new CC members, based upon the number of them who've quoted it to me, almost word for word.
The evidence clearly indicates no shortfall of pilot sentiment and agression. Time and time and time again there have been clear cut votes by pilot workforces in favour of action. Time and time and time again BALPA has weakened and backed out of supporting any action!
Unless you're a BA pilot.
BALPA is your union and you know it!
Stop blaming the pilot workforces for BALPA weakness!