Danny,
I could not agree more with what you say about the problems of perception and reality. It would be sad if what happens is a vote based on what may be a false perception due to little research should have left BALPA weakened in the eyes of those who would wish us to so be, i.e. "the bosses" That those perceptions of whatever accuracy, became firmly planted is a reflection on the levels and sophistication of communications today. Like all good things it can be a mixed blessing. Stoppping a good rumour is , well difficult to say the least ! Reality that tries to stop it usually looks pretty pathetic.
You are quite right about the perception issue, reality is often quite different and can sometimes "stand in the way of a good story" as the press would say. That is something of a shame and does perhaps reflect on us (pilots) as a group who would like to think that we only deal in facts.
Whether the BALPA can get it's act together on communications and get an easy to use website for the varied desires of users is another question. That it should is absolutely vital.
The needs range from boring stuff that we Techies like to spread around, like the odd specialist reporting form for ATC deficiencies in Africa (hot topic for all you fellahs, if you don't report it in writing, we have no ammunition to get it fixed, rumour and word of mouth no matter how accurate , does not impress the politicians involved, so please help!) to indusdtrial information and discussion forums.
The benefit icould be that such discussion can be closed if desired, as the warning says on these pages, anyone can read and you may not want that either. Always surprises me how many discuss this stuff on the BA compuserve forums, better than having a bug in the oppositions dining room !
BALPA cannot go back to what existed on the day before the result, it can only go forward. some painful lessons learned as they say.
One should also add, neither is it realistically possible to go back to those days of 5 or 10 years ago in terms of employment conditions, no matter how idyllic they may seem from a distance, as the world has moved on. One can only try and get the best deal that is possible now in to-days conditions. The mint sauce will never again appear with lamb in the Karachi rest house ! or the shorthaul cheese tray grace the centre consol of a three engined jet built near Potters bar, to name but a few of those cherished iconss of an earlier era. However one hopes that on todays very cut and thrust and increasingly global industry, that BALPA gets a General Secretary who as a full time official working under the direction of the NEC and its constituent members drawn from the membership by democratic ballot, can deal with the necessary cut and thrust environment within which the movers and shakers of airline management operate. He or she, must provide the necessary support to ensure that when BALPA representatives negotiate our future terms and conditions, that they are the best that can be realistically be obtained with a view to our long term security of employment and professional standing. They must not be those which may give a short term headline boosting ego trip for the negotiating team and a long term disbenefit to the members who may have to pay the ultimate cost of loss of employment, howver unpopular this may be in the short term to some people.
Thanks for the opportunity to reply, off to bed now, another set of happy trainees to deal with at 6 am!
Martin Alder