Pulp Fiction,
I agree with your comments but you still have ask the simple question WHY would Ryan Air pilots bust minimas? I assume it can only be one of two answers....1. They didnt know the minima or didnt know where to look for the minimas or 2. They knew the minimas and just busted them anyway.
I have been in professional flying for 20 years now and I have to say I cant think of a pilot who when is faced with potential fog and reduced lighting, wouldn't have hesitated in looking for reduced minima at the very first thought. I know of no one (other than in emergency) who would bust minima. If they did this because of company pressure then it is disgraceful and if they did it because of sheer ignorance then questions have to be asked. Did they have they information to hand? If they did then they should be hauled over the coals. If it wasn't to hand then the Company surely must have a big problem.