What has BALPA done for you?....
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I was a member of BALPA when Court Line went bust in 1974. I telephoned a couple of times on one or two issues and was told that they could not (would not?) help me as I had not been an employee of BA or Britannia. I have never bothered with them since and know of nothing they have ever done to deserve my rejoining.
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T&GWU
Maybe try the T&GWU? They represent quite a few aviation groups, & a darn site cheaper than the BALPA fiddle (threw that membership away ages ago!). Need to get 50%+ membership for representation I think - would certainly get around what seemed to be "unrepresentative" status of the 80% part-time (& 60% either nearing 60 years old or greater?) Easy PC......
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Essex, England
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Throughout last year, and already on two occassions this year, my mail box was filled with mailings from BALPA relating to nothing except voting for someone or other.
Many of the letters explained voting rule changes, or why I should, or should not, vote for this person or that person, and in total I estimate I must have received at least ten such "in-fighting" letters.
Could someone from BALPA please explain to me what percentage of an average membership bill is spent on such petty politics, and whether or not they have finally sorted out who is to be the next Gen Sec, Rep for whovever, Boss or whatever fancy title they have been fighting over?
Due to this, I for one have no intention of renewing my membership.
Many of the letters explained voting rule changes, or why I should, or should not, vote for this person or that person, and in total I estimate I must have received at least ten such "in-fighting" letters.
Could someone from BALPA please explain to me what percentage of an average membership bill is spent on such petty politics, and whether or not they have finally sorted out who is to be the next Gen Sec, Rep for whovever, Boss or whatever fancy title they have been fighting over?
Due to this, I for one have no intention of renewing my membership.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: In the wilds of the midlands
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I too thought what BALPA could do for me & did'nt bother joining. Then one day i was in the **** with my old company & put on gardening leave & needed legal advice asap. BALPA were more than helpful dispite the fact i was not a member & with their help i got out of the mire. I then joined asap.
I then joined Debonair who went bust one month later, i was back in the provable regarding mortgage payments. Good old BALPA lent me £1000 interest free from their benevolant fund to help me, to pay back when i could afford too. Since then they have managed to get a further payout from the collapse of Debonair BALPA members only!
I then joined Debonair who went bust one month later, i was back in the provable regarding mortgage payments. Good old BALPA lent me £1000 interest free from their benevolant fund to help me, to pay back when i could afford too. Since then they have managed to get a further payout from the collapse of Debonair BALPA members only!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Surrey
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A very salient example supporting BALPA membership Kegbuster. People take heed.
All those people putting BALPA down have to remember that no union will cater for every eventuality or circumstance. Memebership does not grant you world-wide immunity from prosecution or give you total job security. I accept that it is not cheap and they can sometimes seem to be doing not a lot. But they can be there when you really need them. It is worth the money when one considers the true risks of not being a member.
And with regard to your own airlines, any improvements will only come about by efforts of individuals committed to their own company councils. Even then any improvements will only come about through a lengthy period of negotiations. Support your CC and BALPA by joining and helping them.
All those people putting BALPA down have to remember that no union will cater for every eventuality or circumstance. Memebership does not grant you world-wide immunity from prosecution or give you total job security. I accept that it is not cheap and they can sometimes seem to be doing not a lot. But they can be there when you really need them. It is worth the money when one considers the true risks of not being a member.
And with regard to your own airlines, any improvements will only come about by efforts of individuals committed to their own company councils. Even then any improvements will only come about through a lengthy period of negotiations. Support your CC and BALPA by joining and helping them.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: sussex
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Kegbuster.
'Then one day i was in the **** with my old company & put on gardening leave & needed legal advice asap. BALPA were more than helpful dispite the fact i was not a member & with their help i got out of the mire. I then joined asap.
Our Flight Engineers have been told BALPA will no longer represent them and they are paying members.
Would anyone in BALPA care to reply?
'Then one day i was in the **** with my old company & put on gardening leave & needed legal advice asap. BALPA were more than helpful dispite the fact i was not a member & with their help i got out of the mire. I then joined asap.
Our Flight Engineers have been told BALPA will no longer represent them and they are paying members.
Would anyone in BALPA care to reply?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Berkshire
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It seems that there are a number of professional pilots around (myself included, as it happens) who do not wish to be involved with BALPA.
It also seems that pilots, as a body, want to be effectively represented, and, perhaps, feel they wish to be a little militant at the moment in order to reclaim some of the ground lost in recent years.
The IPF, grown as it has from the IPA, presents an alternative. However, it seems to be more attractive to those who have been IPA members and understand the organisation's quirks.
Is there sufficient desire for an effective trade union to make it worthwhile for some PPRuNErs to look into setting a new one up?
I might, just might, be willing to pitch in...
It also seems that pilots, as a body, want to be effectively represented, and, perhaps, feel they wish to be a little militant at the moment in order to reclaim some of the ground lost in recent years.
The IPF, grown as it has from the IPA, presents an alternative. However, it seems to be more attractive to those who have been IPA members and understand the organisation's quirks.
Is there sufficient desire for an effective trade union to make it worthwhile for some PPRuNErs to look into setting a new one up?
I might, just might, be willing to pitch in...
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Loved that last line....
"I might, just might, be willing to pitch in..."
Seems a bit rich to say you're going to examine a union to see if its worthy of your support first. How about joining and supporting BALPA to ensure that all pilots get a fair go...did it ever cross your mind that one day some other pilot might need your help? That is...giving...not just taking! Leave the ego in the locker I think.
I won't bore you with the Oxford definition of "Union" but it seems most likely to be something of a two way street.
Every bit of progress in aviation has benefitted the ones who followed the innovators and pioneers...just consider union membership as "payback time"...and maybe you could actually contribute without having to hear the cash register bell first!
"I might, just might, be willing to pitch in..."
Seems a bit rich to say you're going to examine a union to see if its worthy of your support first. How about joining and supporting BALPA to ensure that all pilots get a fair go...did it ever cross your mind that one day some other pilot might need your help? That is...giving...not just taking! Leave the ego in the locker I think.
I won't bore you with the Oxford definition of "Union" but it seems most likely to be something of a two way street.
Every bit of progress in aviation has benefitted the ones who followed the innovators and pioneers...just consider union membership as "payback time"...and maybe you could actually contribute without having to hear the cash register bell first!
I think another good reason for being a BALPA member is that they are a part of IFALPA - our job is international and we share common challenges with our international comrades.
I believe BALPA has done much to help improve things over the years - they are not perfect but who is?
I recall that many years ago when Swissair went off the end of the runway at Athens and the crew ended up in a Greek jail it was IFALPA that secured their release. Surely a good reason to be a member and well worth the money.
I believe BALPA has done much to help improve things over the years - they are not perfect but who is?
I recall that many years ago when Swissair went off the end of the runway at Athens and the crew ended up in a Greek jail it was IFALPA that secured their release. Surely a good reason to be a member and well worth the money.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Berkshire
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elektra,
I meant, I would be willing to play a significant part in setting up a new union, if the desire was there amongst colleagues. I'm guessing that it isn't. More apathy, I'm afraid.
I threw money down the BALPA drain for long enough before I learnt my lesson and pulled out. They did nothing for me or my colleagues then, and I haven't been impressed with what I've seen from the outside looking in since.
My qualifications in English are such that I don't need reminding of dictionary definitions or etymology, thank you.
I have taken the difficult decision to speak up here in the hope that some like-minded professional colleagues might share some of my concerns and aspirations.
Rather, I feel I'm surrounded by those who see things getting worse and have simply lost touch with the notion that they might ever get better again, or that it might be good for anyone if they did...
I meant, I would be willing to play a significant part in setting up a new union, if the desire was there amongst colleagues. I'm guessing that it isn't. More apathy, I'm afraid.
I threw money down the BALPA drain for long enough before I learnt my lesson and pulled out. They did nothing for me or my colleagues then, and I haven't been impressed with what I've seen from the outside looking in since.
My qualifications in English are such that I don't need reminding of dictionary definitions or etymology, thank you.
I have taken the difficult decision to speak up here in the hope that some like-minded professional colleagues might share some of my concerns and aspirations.
Rather, I feel I'm surrounded by those who see things getting worse and have simply lost touch with the notion that they might ever get better again, or that it might be good for anyone if they did...
Last edited by Faustino; 10th Mar 2003 at 21:31.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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FAUSTINO
I have long held the belief that we should retain the services of a legal firm with a background/knowlege of our industry to look after us, after all i would say 90% of all work is of a legal nature to some degree.
I do not want to bash BALPA but from personal experience it is clear to me we have to move on with our representation and bring it in line with modern thinking not the 1950`s, so as to give ourselves some credibility.
Airline movers and shakers i am sure have great sport every time BALPA come to visit.
I have long held the belief that we should retain the services of a legal firm with a background/knowlege of our industry to look after us, after all i would say 90% of all work is of a legal nature to some degree.
I do not want to bash BALPA but from personal experience it is clear to me we have to move on with our representation and bring it in line with modern thinking not the 1950`s, so as to give ourselves some credibility.
Airline movers and shakers i am sure have great sport every time BALPA come to visit.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Laps8
This is why we set up The Aircrew Insurance Group in 1991. A small group of us wanted a legal facility which was available to individuals and not dependent on membership of any other organisation.
I gave a personal financial guarantee of several thousand pounds to underwriters to get the thing off the ground. Fortunately for me they were gentlemenly enough not to hold me to it when we failed spectacularly to achieve the forecast membership. We survive to this day as Aircrew Legal Protection Limited (www.alpl.com) and we currently have between 2 and 3 thousand people on risk. This survival is due largely to the database of loyal clients and help and advice from Underwriters and Lloyds brokers.
It's been a rough ride at times keeping the scheme viable whilst being slagged off and undermined from various quarters. I'm not complaining in fact I've quite enjoyed it as my skin has thickened. When I retire I might write an account of it all. It will be more complex than an Ian Rankin novel.
One of the main criticisms is that we are a business. It would be very difficult to be otherwise. We make no apology for this after all applying for cover under our policy is voluntary.
Is this a commercial plug??? Well yes...!
Stands by for incoming.
This is why we set up The Aircrew Insurance Group in 1991. A small group of us wanted a legal facility which was available to individuals and not dependent on membership of any other organisation.
I gave a personal financial guarantee of several thousand pounds to underwriters to get the thing off the ground. Fortunately for me they were gentlemenly enough not to hold me to it when we failed spectacularly to achieve the forecast membership. We survive to this day as Aircrew Legal Protection Limited (www.alpl.com) and we currently have between 2 and 3 thousand people on risk. This survival is due largely to the database of loyal clients and help and advice from Underwriters and Lloyds brokers.
It's been a rough ride at times keeping the scheme viable whilst being slagged off and undermined from various quarters. I'm not complaining in fact I've quite enjoyed it as my skin has thickened. When I retire I might write an account of it all. It will be more complex than an Ian Rankin novel.
One of the main criticisms is that we are a business. It would be very difficult to be otherwise. We make no apology for this after all applying for cover under our policy is voluntary.
Is this a commercial plug??? Well yes...!
Stands by for incoming.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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LAN HILL
INSURANCE?
My only experience of insurance is that they are even more slippery than the slipperyest thing you can think of !
I was thinking of a fund paid to a firm of legal reps in return for top class advice and help when needed, therfore having a direct relationship and control over what is spent and when.
INSURANCE?
My only experience of insurance is that they are even more slippery than the slipperyest thing you can think of !
I was thinking of a fund paid to a firm of legal reps in return for top class advice and help when needed, therfore having a direct relationship and control over what is spent and when.
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Flaps8
Yes sorry for mispelling your username.
When we first started our scheme we looked at something like your idea but it would have required huge amounts of cash which none of us had, and solicitors are not cheap.
Hence we went down the insurance route. BALPA of course has been around for a long time and probably does have quite a lot of cash.
The problem for any new organisation is to aquire that capital base.
Yes sorry for mispelling your username.
When we first started our scheme we looked at something like your idea but it would have required huge amounts of cash which none of us had, and solicitors are not cheap.
Hence we went down the insurance route. BALPA of course has been around for a long time and probably does have quite a lot of cash.
The problem for any new organisation is to aquire that capital base.
My only experience of insurance is that they are even more slippery than the slipperyest thing you can think of
Join Date: Jul 1999
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Hence we went down the insurance route. BALPA of course has been around for a long time and probably does have quite a lot of cash.
Is there, or is there not, a problem with the IPA insurance policy at the moment. My understanding is that the IPA are no longer able to offer this service due to cost.
Please confirm that nothing has changed.
Thanks
Join Date: Jul 1999
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I suggest you approach IPA for info
Is there, or is there not, a problem with the IPA insurance policy at the moment. My understanding is that the IPA are no longer able to offer this service due to cost.
In particular the monthly subs asked by the IPA simply will not cover the insurance premium.
A simple yes or no will suffice ! Franky, ask the IPA is a bit of a cop out !
Thanks
flappless
BTW flappless is no relation to flapless !!!!!!!!!!!!!