Last night there was standing room only at a BA BALPA meeting at LHR. Over 10% of the BA pilots attended. Given the number working, the number living too far away and others with prior commitments it demonstrated the importance placed on this issue. I have never attended a GMM where the consensus was quite so unanimous.
Several BA flight ops managers and BALPA members were in attendance. One of them bravely spoke during the Q & A session after the speakers but it was very clear that flight ops management do not know the full story themselves!
Captain Evan Cullen from IALPA, who is a long serving Aer Lingus pilot, was very interesting having witnessed Mr. Walsh LEADING a strike in Aer Lingus when he (WW) was an IALPA pilot rep. He had also been heavily involved in the strike at Aer Lingus when Mr. Walsh was CEO. It was illuminating to gain an insight into what we are dealing with, his tactics and general attitude. Mr. Walsh was less than successful in his aims of beating IALPA members then as I sincerely hope he will be in this dispute. Captain Cullen made it very clear that Mr. Walsh knows EXACTLY what this is all about.