Final 3 Greens - How many of the population are 'Director People' for BA? It's his job to know these things. Somehow I don't think a sharp HR director makes all his staff reapply for their own positions when he has two strike ballots in the pipeline and the biggest event in the airline for 20 years just 8 weeks away.
Hand Solo. I am sure that you are a very good pilot.
You also appear to be rather naive, at least from your comment, about business management.
As a frequent traveller, I value your aviation skills highly (and as a PPL holder I am aware of the extremely high competence, command decision making, ongoing training/testing and dedication that you have.)
But if you consider that there is only one director of people at BA and several thousands of pilots, you might conclude that the competition for his job is even tougher than to become an ATPL working for a company that has arguably the highest standards for flight deck in the world.
Do not under rate Mr McCarthy's acumen in what he is doing.