Leo,I normally admire and occasionally buy into your persuasive and articulate defence(s) of Ryanair.I have been in this industry a long time (airline pilot) and would completely agree with the rationale that Ryanair has a high level of operational integrity backed up by their safety record.They/you are obviously not mugs.
Also,I semi-reluctantly can see some of your points ref Balpa;I have been in the union all my career but there have been times when the love affair from my side was definitely lukewarm.However,I find it truly astonishing that you invoke Irish history and British resentment over Ryanair's financial success as a reason for continued criticism of Ryanair.That point is totally fatuous and I am surprised that you have made it given your obvious intelligence.
b/rgds