WWW
Your earlier argument is presented on a coin however you have only exposed the brighter side of that coin. Those days of £50K and living the good life is alas not reality for Ryanair recruits now. Circa £20K for a 737 type rating which just pays for your course and some hours on type but no job! Coupled to that the 50% reduced salary that you will start on when you start, it paints a picture which is a sharp contrast to the rosy picture that we saw for new joiners at Ryanair, just a couple of years ago.
I know someone who joined Ryanair in what I would term the 'golden days'. No investment was needed for any training and you were offered a secure job as soon as soon your TR course was completed and you started off on a full salary. That was a package that used to be very hard to beat and you knew you were going to fly 900hrs a year! I suspect your friends joined Ryanair during these 'golden days' and are still reaping the rewards!
MG