Aw come on, Mario's a good bloke imho (
and, before he became deskbound, he was a fine pilot and an even better instructor!).
Fwiw, I moved on from Astraeus about 18 months ago, but I'll admit to moments when I do miss it.
Astraeus gave me some of the best training and most interesting flying experiences & destinations that I have ever had, and probably ever will ever have.
and to my reckoning they are the 'last man standing' in terms of airlines with a resident HQ at LGW.
Ok, it might not be the best salary in aviation, but it is a fun & close-knit little company, one that has met the salary payment every month since starting in 2002. Many big airlines are laying crews off, but Astraeus is recruiting. Also, and by all accounts, they're maybe set to make a modest profit too; and that, in this economic climate, speaks volumes for the talents of people like MF, SM, RB, and JM, et al.