Just to add to Tay Cough's excellent precis:
We are being made increasingly aware that the shots regarding T&Cs are being called in Madrid, not Harmondsworth......it is very difficult to see what life at BA will be like next year, let alone in 5 years time (IMHO especially in Short Haul)
As Tay said for Pete's sake do your research but be aware you are very much rolling the dice.