I abhor Ryanairs treatment of these new commanders. Firstly the underhand method of trying to slip in new pay scales and conditions and secondly the demotions when they would not accept. In fact no reasonable Pilot could accept the contract offered. Accept a 20% salary cut followed by a proviso that Ryanair can transfer you to any other base at short notice. No way.
Also I would like to make a few home truths known to prospective employees. The salary the company advertises is well and truly overstated. Crewing levels are so low that annual leave is almost impossible to obtain. In fact at the moment is impossible to obtain. Depending on Fleet, the -200 fleet has overnights, they are compulsory. Because there are no -800 bases outside STN they are not an issue there yet, but they will come. The Pension scheme, forget it and buy a piggy bank. The Loss of licence insurance offered is second rate only offers limited protection. The nice picture that you will be presented by personnel of work within the company you can forget. Its hectic, Unless its stated in black and white in your working conditions/contract that Ryanair cannot do something, they will do it. In fact anything that is a grey area in Ryanair conditions. contracts will be interpreted by the company as they feel like. If you are considering signing a contract, DO NOT BELIEVE FOR A SECOND assurances from personnel of, Oh dont mind that, we are changing that, or that does not happen in real life. If its there Ryanair will do it.
Your family, personal situation, what you want, the possibility you might resign in protest, word of mouth promises mean nothing to Ryanair. They will do with you, base you, pay you, treat you as they wish. Be careful what you sign.
The working days are long, there is no, YES NO, space for a meal break, a smoke, a breather away from the flight deck. You are attached to the flight deck for your full day, the only breather for the lenght of you shift is the walk around. You bring you sambo/food and gobble it on the hoof. Yes four or six sectors, no break. The turnaround may even be shorter than 25 mins if you are late inbound and have light loads.
Yes the flying is 900 hours a year, 100 hours a month. Looks good, three months off!!!! does not work like that Chaps. When you run out of hours, you time is alloted in terms of firstly, annual leave imposed by the company or training or then time off in that order. In fact you time off is not as such, its called "STANDY NOT AVAILABLE". What this means is, if they find a spot where you slip back into hours for an hour or two, they will summon you to fly for that. So you dont get 3 months off. Forget that one.
The crew controllers/Ops people are grossly over worked, over stressed and have a next to impossible task to carry out the miracle of the loaves and fishes every day to crew everything. So you will be asked to work on your day off, its not compulsory, but its a black mark to refuse. Not from Ops, they are doing their job, but from the management they have to answer to. You may be accused of "un co-operative behaviour".
There is a view from the playing pitch, dont accept second rate, read you contract and conditions of employment carefully, tackle personnel and get same amended if you see anything you dont like. Remember its your quality of life, you career. Think twice, look hard. Sector pay is earned with your sweat and effort, its not a gift from the company.