Pilots as a generalisation are self motivated and dare I say selfish individuals, who tend to look to others to make a difference
I'm not sure that statement is correct. I think the problem with getting unity from the pilot body is due to the very nature of our working style. What I mean by that is we work in small isolated groups, and away from our peers. As an FO you spend very little time with other FOs, and likewise Captains. The opportunities are the frantic few minutes in the crew room as one crew reports, and another logs out, or the occasional beer down route on a rare nightstop. Without regular contact noone quite knows what anyone else is thinking, or intending to do. This plays into the employers hands in an industrial sense in that divide and conquer is already achieved. That is why pilots need a more effective union right from the top, and that is what BALPA doesn't do.
BALPA represents the loudest, and most senior, and has ignored those coming in at he bottom hence the evolution of bonds to self sponsored type rating to pay to fly. BALPA should have jumped on these schemes right from the beginning, but when I was last a member of BALPA, and tried to raise this issue with them in the London office I was told in as many words that it was a good thing. There were other factors in my decision to never have anything to do with BALPA ever gain, but that was certainly a big factor.
Another aspect of BALPA that I didn't like was that one of the Principle Negotiators (I think that was the title) was so antagonistic towards the management that relations between the CC, and the mangers were completely destroyed, negotiations broke down, and management will was imposed, and below what could have been achieved with the CC.
BALPA: worth 2% of my salary? No. No way.