WFD,
This is not about the altruistic ideals of a "brotherhood" union covering all and sundry, as admirable as it may seem.
AIPA is not in this business. it is only in the business of protecting its QF mainline membership and their jobs.
Seniority and "Y" lists are just a sideline and a distraction compared to the main subject of job security should Qantas* in it's infinite wisdom* decide to (for example) transfer some of the A380's or extra 787's to Jetstar and have them operated by Jetstar pilots under reduced terms and conditions (cf QF award).
Jetstar pilots would be left trampled in the dust as AIPA scrambles to look after redundant QF pilots.
Keg and others may say this is not possible, but no one thought Lehman Brothers Bank would go under either.
I agree the AFAP does have dirty laundry dating back to the late 80's and is very problematic in its' ability to effectively represent pilots at the same level as AIPA does with Qantas.
it's such a pity we don't have the desire, numbers or resources to have an
independent organisation such as BALPA.
Have a look at the structure of BALPA in this link:
Balpa
It works.
(* Some may well think that the words "Qantas" and "wisdom" are mutually exclusive)