I think the point that needs to be addressed is that pilots want to take additional fuel, as that's what they'd feel comfortable with, however due to the attitude of the management, and the way the pilots contract is set up, if they don't like what you've done, or if they disagree with a move you've made, one week you could be living in Dublin, with your wife, your kids in school, all very nice, next thing it's "We've chosen you for 'no particular reason' *smiles with menace* to move to our base in Finland", where you will only fly for maybe 4-5 hours that month with the rest on standby, you'll only have earned money for those 4-5 hours, despite having to rent and pay for yourself, an apartment or stay in a hotel, (this would have to be in addition to your home in Ireland you're family is in, unless you want your kids to swap schools every 30 days), and pay for your meals, and not see your family for the month, then next thing you know, one month later, it's Portugal, then Italy, then Belgium, then Germany, then it's "Oh, by the way, we no longer require your services, good bye". And you're tossed out on the street. That's the way thinks work there, it's sickening, but unfortunately it's legal.

 

The problem also is, is that they're not breaking the law, they're taking the minimum legally required fuel, but as anyone who flies into the god forsaken airport that is Madrid Barajas knows, minimum is never enough, you'll need at least 40-60 mins more fuel. Anyone who drives will know of a road, where the speed limit may be 100kmph, but in reality you know anything over 60-65, while still legal, is just asking for an accident. Yet these pilots are day in day out being asked why they're not driving at 100kmph, because it's legal to drive on that road at 100kmph, and will save us some time... "Oh, you think it's not safe to do 100, well we respect that of course, you're the expert, by the way, how'd you fancy Finland, Portugal, Germany and unemployment, I hear they're lovely this time of year"

 

It sickens me to my stomach to see human beings being treated like that...

 

Regards,

Ró.

Which is why I said what I said. Probably anyone who has worked with a large organization knows the deal. Be a "team player" and pretend everything is fine, even when you know it isn't; or be the squeaky wheel and likely end up shunted off to perdition or let go.

 

That's life, I guess. The hard part is containing your bitterness and fury when the inevitable bad thing happens and you see the bosses sobbing great, shimmering crocodile tears while swearing "To find out how this happened" and that "Safety is job one."

 

It kills your innocence, and in the worst case, maybe some people, too.

Sounds like the airline industry! Back when my dad flew 744s for ual they wanted them to land with only 19000 pounds of fuel that's not much if your in a hold pattern down low with the flaps out which is common at Narita or if you faced un expected winds en route on a 14 hour polar flight.

I can beat that one...

 

LINK

Every airline wants their pilots to burn as little fuel as possible, I mean in my operation we have a line in our ops manual stating "Additional fuel can be taken at the Commander's discretion, however please bear in mind that uplifting additional fuel will result in a higher fuel burn penalty."

 

The difference being, if I take extra fuel, I don't have someone breathing down my neck, I don't have someone threatening to fire me, or send me away from my family, I don't have someone threatening to make me work a whole month with only 3 hours pay. I feel I can take the extra fuel, however with something like that hanging over me, I'm afraid to say I may not be so strong.

 

Regards,

Ró.

It surely is a horrible way to treat staff with enough responisbility on their shoulders allready. Why anyone would be a pilot for Ryanair in the first place is beyond me...

The only other option would be unemployment, and with new pilots having a debt of €100,000 on their heads, and that's before the 'priviledge' of paying Ryanair €30,000 to join them, and the only other option for them would be unemployment. What pilots in Ryanair need is a proper Union and a good old fashioned walk out strike.

That was very interesting- Its very sad how the world has become a place where money is more important than safety.

The only other option would be unemployment, and with new pilots having a debt of €100,000 on their heads, and that's before the 'priviledge' of paying Ryanair €30,000 to join them, and the only other option for them would be unemployment. What pilots in Ryanair need is a proper Union and a good old fashioned walk out strike.

 

 

Thank you your so right its time pilots unions stood up to the company instead of blowing to.it

Second installment and there aren't any English subtitles.

Second installment and there aren't any English subtitles.

I think we'll have to wait for the "International Version" to come out.

Part two up with English subs, revealing how pilots are forced to fly while sick, and more worryingly, while they are fatigued:

 

http://reporter.kro....english_version

 

Regards,

Ró.

Seems like the series has halted, any news on Ryanair these days?

 

**EDIT**

 

No part 3 found, however I found an interview with the KRO reporter and Ryanairs' M O'Leary, the man despises unions:

 

http://brandpunt.kro...tie_met_ryanair

There is (was) a program on TV called "Midway" that documented a number of cases where cutting corners caused airline crashes that killed hundreds of passengers. No problem: the airline declares bankruptcy to avoid paying lawsuits, the executives take off with a golden parachute (of course the latter is done before the former....) and go start another airline.

 

Henri