Day Dreamer,
With 36+ years in this industry maybe you are approaching the Ryanair retirement age. With this in mind I can understand why you prefer to be on the side of the fence that terms and condition will be negotiated lower and lower year on year. The alternative might require some short term pain, and you'll have very little time to benefit from the gain.
Not a personal attack on you, just an observation of your circumstances.
Passenger numbers are up 13% this month year on year.
With the current management it will never be a good time to try and improve our conditions. As they have stated many times that they will not negotiate with it's Pilots.