I actually asked the IALPA Ryanair Rep about the IAA and CAA. He told me that they only work via the IAA and while reports get to IALPA very few pilots are willing to allow their name to be used in making a complaint/report. Without names, details, etc. the IAA will accept a complaint from IALPA, but will not act upon it! IALPA says that the IAA will pursue any report that comes their way provided that there is supporting information. He said that this is an advance from the IAA not being willing to talk to IALPA about Ryanair. Hmmmm..…
Mach trim, you ask about the bases. They vary. Old hands will just point out that if they are happy this just means that it is only a matter of time before trouble arrives. All the evidence supports such pessimism. You seem to feel that captains don't have to put up with abuse. But that is no different to co-pilots really, is it not? Nobody has to.... but why join an airline just to make a stand on principle and lose your job?
The issue of type ratings is not really one of principle, it is just a fact that there will always be somebody out there willing to pay. Which is why they do it, will continue to do it, and why it will shortly become the norm in the aviation business. It will not take too long to know if I am right about this - less that 3-5 years is my forecast for new F/Os.