At the opposite end of my career to Horatio I read this with interest. My associate membership of BALPA lapsed when I was no longer a student, and my idea was to join the IPA (I only really wanted legal cover in case my professionalism is ever called into question) when I find a flying job, as I felt that BALPA did not do enough to help British pilots. With such excitement I will have to seriously consider teh alternatives. Well done JF.