BALPA Good ....or waste of space?
 

Could you people give me any good reasons to join BALPA?. Is it a waste of money?, and finally anyone had bad experiences with them?

I would suggest that you save your money, unless you work for British Airways. If your company's interests ever clash with those of BA, BALPA will back the BA position. Their General Secretary, Chris Darke, was a Trotskyist. Do not believe he has changed his spots.

I had until last week been a member for 10 years, i had a small problem last month which i needed their help with for the first time,but despite talking to many pa's, officers etc no one helped me despite promises to do so they actually did nothing and worst of all no one returned my calls.So as somebody said unless you are BA do not waste your money on this bunch of tossers, do what i have done and buy yourself some legal assistance insurance, its cheaper. :mad:

If you are not with BA or a BA associated airline, don't bother - they will always look after BA's interests before anyone else's. (Remember DAN-AIR?) It's also very expensive. BALPA has been known for a long time now as the British Airways Line Pilot's Association for good reason.

There are currently 8400+ full members of BALPA in the UK which is over 80% of the commercial pilot workforce. They weren't co-erced into membership but joined by choice. Just under 3000 work for BA.

Under 20% choose not to join. 80% of our colleagues can't all be fools can they ?

Boeingman

Please stop clouding the issue with facts.

Give me ill-informed personal prejudice anytime.

Depends on your attitude to your chosen profession. Balpa is not perfect, by any means. But they are engaged in every aspect of your career at many levels in an endeavour to act on the concerns of their members and on behalf of this fine profession. By becoming a member and supporting them and perhaps taking an active part in such proceedings you can be a part of this process. Otherwise, like some, don't bother, save your 1 %, and just whinge on the sidelines about pay whilst accepting the benefits that are brought about by the contributions of your colleagues.
Like I said, it's not perfect, but the choice is yours - do you care about your profession or not ?

Frankly if you are operating a passeger jet these days you are mad not to have thier legal protection. Make no misstake if you are relaxing in a Greek jail charged with manslaughter as has happened you and your family will be very happy you are aBALPA member

Mmmm
Judging by the quality of non help i recieved from BALPA and the low quality of so called negotiators/officers, i am realy glad that i do not have to rely on them to fish me out of a greek jail! :rolleyes:

Capt Veeclean
For gods sake why is it the anti BALPA lobby insists allways on trotting out this remember DAN-AIR bull****. I was made redundant by BIA around this time and got nothing. You guys who were not kept on got 5 months pay. DAN-AIR was bankrupt BALPA is not a bank

What about the newly formed IPF - union offshoot of the IPA?

(www.ipapilot.com - 01444 441149)

WE