No union can be effective without a committed group of leaders in their Negotiating Committee/LEC/MEC's, and a pilot group that is willing to follow their lead. Bad leadership is disastrous no matter who's Acronym is hanging on the door. Having all of the major airline pilots under one union umbrella does add to the potential for sharing and cooperation to the real threats to the profession coming in the name of cabotage, JV's and increased automation.