BALPA a waste of money?
Join Date: Mar 2001
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StressFree
Sorry if I am not making myself clear. Balpa use the 'free insurance' as a hook for their recruitment outside BA. The insurance they offer is entirely discretionary on their part and all I am pointing out is that there is equally good aviation proffesional indemnity insurance available at a much reduced rate than 1% of salary.
I am led to believe that some BA pilots who have become disenchanted with Balpa use this scheme. I might say that I have nothing to do with this, although I have met the two BM pilots who started it and I also believe that the IPA did or do use this scheme.
I used to be a member of Balpa, some years ago and believe that most pilots outside BA have fallen for their chat up line re insurance. The point I am making is that there is a good, much cheaper alternative. That's all.
Sorry if I am not making myself clear. Balpa use the 'free insurance' as a hook for their recruitment outside BA. The insurance they offer is entirely discretionary on their part and all I am pointing out is that there is equally good aviation proffesional indemnity insurance available at a much reduced rate than 1% of salary.
I am led to believe that some BA pilots who have become disenchanted with Balpa use this scheme. I might say that I have nothing to do with this, although I have met the two BM pilots who started it and I also believe that the IPA did or do use this scheme.
I used to be a member of Balpa, some years ago and believe that most pilots outside BA have fallen for their chat up line re insurance. The point I am making is that there is a good, much cheaper alternative. That's all.
Chilled
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: both sides of the pond
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Interesting replies, (and no I am not a pilot and no not affiliated with the airlines or with the unions).
as a point of interest what do BALPA members think of the representation that US pilots receive? Is ALPA that different?
as a point of interest what do BALPA members think of the representation that US pilots receive? Is ALPA that different?
BALPA is not an organisation of faceless individuals, it is an associaton of members. Their skill and expertise (other than in legal cases) comes, principally, from their members. Membership, IMHO, confers duties to add to the collective knowledge and to operate in conjunction with other like minded, committed, people. There are some who pay their dues and expect a magic wand, it doesn't work like that, you only get out what you and others put in.
In comparison to large trade unions the cost to the individual is high, because it is a small association that has many of the same fixed overheads (admin support etc.) However it does pull well above it's weight in political lobbying and with dealings with employers, their organisations, government and regulatory bodies.
If you can't be bothered to become involved, don't join. I don't want my association to become lethargic because it has to spoon feed those with little motivation. However if you do want our profession to advance and to defend, and improve, terms and conditions of work, safety culture and environment sign up and let's get on with it.
In comparison to large trade unions the cost to the individual is high, because it is a small association that has many of the same fixed overheads (admin support etc.) However it does pull well above it's weight in political lobbying and with dealings with employers, their organisations, government and regulatory bodies.
If you can't be bothered to become involved, don't join. I don't want my association to become lethargic because it has to spoon feed those with little motivation. However if you do want our profession to advance and to defend, and improve, terms and conditions of work, safety culture and environment sign up and let's get on with it.
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The difficulty ducksoup is having in attempting to make his point demonstrates some amazing truths - apathy, sheep mentality and stupidity. Go with the flock. Don't use your brain to come to the obvious conclusion. "I can't be bothered." Thinking independently seems to be strangely difficult for pilots sometimes. One wonders how they ever got into flying, given these characteristics.
Let's try a repeat. If it worked for Pavlov......
If legal protection is all that you're after, then there are much cheaper alternatives to BALPA.
Another problem -- some colleagues are still in BALPA, despite agreeing that it's useless, because it involves cancelling a direct debit, writing to BALPA to resign and writing to apply for the alternative. "Oh, I'll do it....tomorrow." I kid you not ! Many other organisations rely upon this sort of apathy to generate their profits.
Despite all of the above, if you want to change working conditions, salaries etc for the better, then join BALPA and pitch in there !
You'll then discover how useless the Company Council system is for yourself !
Let's try a repeat. If it worked for Pavlov......
If legal protection is all that you're after, then there are much cheaper alternatives to BALPA.
Another problem -- some colleagues are still in BALPA, despite agreeing that it's useless, because it involves cancelling a direct debit, writing to BALPA to resign and writing to apply for the alternative. "Oh, I'll do it....tomorrow." I kid you not ! Many other organisations rely upon this sort of apathy to generate their profits.
Despite all of the above, if you want to change working conditions, salaries etc for the better, then join BALPA and pitch in there !
You'll then discover how useless the Company Council system is for yourself !
So go on try it, discover the company council system for yourself, get elected (that is if a majority of your colleagues have decided that they want BALPA to be their sole representatives when your employer wants to talk terms and conditions.)
Don't just roll over with your legs in the air. Make a difference.
Don't just roll over with your legs in the air. Make a difference.
Uncle Pete
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Frodsham Cheshire
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beardy,
Been there, done it!
Don't know if we made any difference but it as sure as
wasn't for the want of trying.
However negotiating with management is like going into a duel with a pistol full of blanks. People who do not have satisfaction and any hope of promotion become manageable by the unions and will come out on strike at the drop of a hat. That's why we have labour relations laws. Those of us that are fortunate enough to have jobs that we love, and 99.9.....% of pilots are in that category, tend to be less militant and less prone to strike.
There is always the exception to the rule. BA pilots in the 70s and80s?
Remember the bin-mens' strikes?
Fly happy
MP
Been there, done it!
Don't know if we made any difference but it as sure as
wasn't for the want of trying. However negotiating with management is like going into a duel with a pistol full of blanks. People who do not have satisfaction and any hope of promotion become manageable by the unions and will come out on strike at the drop of a hat. That's why we have labour relations laws. Those of us that are fortunate enough to have jobs that we love, and 99.9.....% of pilots are in that category, tend to be less militant and less prone to strike.
There is always the exception to the rule. BA pilots in the 70s and80s?
Remember the bin-mens' strikes?
Fly happy
MP
