Jepp plates
737 jock, I was speaking to an ex Ryan Capt the other day who is now with our outfit and it shocked me to hear that Ryan carry a set of original Jepps on the flight-deck wrapped in cellophane, if these are opened it is a tech log entry. Meanwhile the crew actually collect photocopied plates from the crewroom and according to him on several occasions later in the day the crew discovered either pages missing or inadequately photocopied.
Leaving aside the fact that I would imagine this is a breach of Jeppesen's copyright I am far more concerned at the thought that there are commercial aeroplanes flying around with pilots trying to fly approaches in adverse wx or at night without clear copies of the required plates.
You can say what you like, but to me if this is the case the CAA should be very concerned about it, as should passengers and crew as it is extremely poor practice, in fact I'm staggered it has been allowed to go on.
I know of no other airline other than Ryan currently doing this. My my own company - by no means a flag carrier - still provides full sets of original Jepps for each pilot to use and another set of additional diversion and alternates plates on the flight deck. All originals, all maintained, all present and correct.
Desk-pilot