Stan,
You must be in one of the "better" Ryanair bases. Several of my friends work for Ryanair. I have seen their rosters, they look great. I've also seen my friends recent P60 and it's a far better view than mine for moving the same machinery!!
But his roster uses 9 annual leave days to make 5-3 into 5-4 for nine cycles. I've seen it for myself. He gets 24 annual leave days, minus the aforementioned 9 that are used to make the shift pattern.
He's also given me a look at the repa website. That's an eye opener!! I earn less that a RYR Capt, granted. But it's not all about money is it?