to FO JimmieJames
Have to say that I think you are be exceptionally foolish to turn down an interview in this game. You are basically going to pay for your TR as a low hours cadet or someone with low hours commercial experience. It makes more sense to pay for a type rating with a guaranteed job at the end of it, than to do a Generic Airbus TR not to any companies SOPs. I know of a guy who did precisely the same thing, paid for a TR and yes it got him an interview but the airline said that they required him to redo the same airbus TR with their SOPS.
As a rule the people who slag off Ryanair dont actually work for them and dont really know what its like on the inside. The fact is you are flying a fantastic new 737-800, superb roster and by the second year (if your a low hours cadet) your are paid more than a cadet in any other airline and if you join as a FO you are paid decent salary for them first day of your typerating.
You are also working for the fastest expanding airline in europe if not the world who are already renewing their 737-800's once they are 6 years old. They are going to recruit another 600 pilots over the next 3 years, providing great job security for pilots in a volatile market. Their terms and conditions cannot be as bad as you suggest considering that soo many pilots already work for them and soo many more are joining.
Yes you do pay for things like your licence, medical, uniform, your own tea bags but the fact is the company more than compensates you by paying you much more than other airlines where these things are provided, so depending on how you look at it, these things are pretty minor. Its easy to find fault but over all how big a deal is it???
The fact is ryanair is a straight talking fast paced no nonsence company who are currently the most successful and profitable low cost airline due to their down to earth hard working attitude.
Fair play to them! and all who work for them!