Config - I spoke to a few guys from the LTN base last year too. The 5/4 seemed to be ok for them, but that was BEFORE January, when the roster can change everywhich way DOB wants ("...because I can." -his words).
The 5/4 guys went through a period of instability in their roster (and roster stability is one of the best things about Ryanair!) - they've only just become stable again, but in that period between Jan and March it's difficult to plan ahead.
Also I heard there are no standbys either side of the 5/4 on the new deal (maybe was a "looney" suggestion, who knows?) - but I'm on 5/3 and I've had the last week off due to the combination of unused standbys and my off days.
Again, with that, there are pluses and minuses - sometimes its nice to have the time off (if you're at home - for guys who communte from abroad I imagine it's a living hell not being called out on standby), but the flipside is that since a good deal of our pay is made up from flight pay - especially as F/Os or S/Os - not flying can mean a huge reduction in pay.
That's something I'd like to see changed - more basic pay, less flight pay or pay for standby days even if they are unused.