I have to admit from someone on the other side of the doors point of view you guys do seem to pay an awful lot for not really a lot. You get hundreds of communications every year in A4 envelopes, which often get filed under BIN.
As cabin crew for BA as you all probably know we are extremely well represented by 2 unions BASSA and Cabin Crew 89. Now I know some say a united front is the best way forward, and there is a lot to be said for it. HOWEVER as has been said you guys seem to be faced with "your either in or you out" choice and thats a bit rubbish.
We were originally only represented by BASSA but then (in 1989) some crew broke away, unhappy with the way BASSA handled things (much like your current situation with BALPA) and formed their own breakaway union CC89.
Now. CC89 is affiliated with the AEEU and as a result more powerfull than BASSA. Membership is still on the rise as people deffect unhappy with their current representation. It also represents lots of other major airlines as well.
The point I'm coming to is we have a CHOICE and we are more than happy with it. SO if you want a choice, why don't you create a choice like we did. A union made for pilots - run by pilots. I realise it may be difficult but if you want to improve your lot it would seem to be your only option.
ALTERNATIVELY why not approach one of the cabin crew unions and try to start off a pilot offshoot branch. It's only an idea but surely it's worth looking into. They'd only be too happy to add your subscriptions to their own and plus they'd probably be lower than what your paying now!!!
Only an idea guys, and I'm no union expert, just seems crap not having a CHOICE.