Airbus Unplugged - it's not BALPA or BA that have thrown you to the dogs, it's the market. We live in a capitalist system. BA short haul needs a lower cost base to remain competitive, turn a profit and ultimately - survive. This is derived through 'efficiencies'. Bid line is not the most efficient way of rostering your human resources.
It's a cruel world. But don't worry, BA long haul will have to face it's own day of reckoning in the near / medium future. Wait for Norwegian or similar to crack an acceptable cheap transatlantic service and everyone will have to follow.
Everything has changed. It's horrible for all our T and Cs, but there's only one way this is going.
Don't go blaming BALPA or even the company. Our country's / the world's economic model is set up to make this happen. Customers will chose the lowest cost acceptable product they can find - and businesses must provide what is wanted or go under.
Sitting as a BA employee it would be easy to feel slightly immune / protected / outside the cut throat nasty world of cheap low cost no frills airlines. As Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco's have found out - you're not. Aldi and Lidl are coming for you. I'm afraid BA is not Fortnum and Masons or Harrods. At best it's Waitrose - and even they have to have a competitive cost base, comparative pay and staffing.
It would also be easy to think BA just needs a little tweak here and there. Minor adjustments to bid line etc. Willy Walsh knows this isn't the case and that wholesale reform is required. Terrible, but true.
Most BA pilots know that the market and reality is barking at the door. Those close to retirement might just walk out the door and not face the new era. However, for those younger, and those contemplating joining, be in no doubt, the last hiding place from the harsher airline world is going to disappear.
I really wish it was otherwise.