strong companies with decent BALPA representation.
Hand,
The problem is that there is a wide perception that the BACC used that strength and representation to further there own interest at the expense of pilots with less barganing power, even though those pilots were in the same union.
We could argue (and Tandem Rotor could make snide, pompous and thus self-defeating remarks!!) till next century as to the ins and outs of the actual individual circumstances, but it is that peception you are up against.
To go to the wider pilot community with the case that "We've looked after ourselves in the past, now help us look after ourselves in the future" is going to be dismissed by sufficient pilots (a good many ex BACX turbo-prop pilots as a convenient example!!) to crew Open Skies and any other five subsiduries BA wish to start!
Perhaps a little ownership of this resentment, and a
quid pro quo, more inclusive attitude in future might engender more support.