I'll go one further, without the AOA we would not have had a seat at the table under the umbrella of IFALPA to negotiate changes in airways / ATC practices in China. Now this may not mean much to those of you that have started flying in this region in the last 10 years but I can tell you...it was disasterous and has saved lives without a doubt. If you doubt me then ask the question to a long timer what it was like on the tri motor when atc arbitrarily closed the airspace in front of you and ordered "You go....you go back !"
The AOA and it's affiliates do more than just negotiate your renumeration package, although even I will admit it has done poorly in that regard