KRO Brandpunt Reporter just released a press release about the content of the second episode of the programme to be broadcasted this evening on Dutch tv.
The press release in dutch language can be read here.
Brandpunt Reporter - Ryanair piloten vliegen ook als ze ziek zijn
This press release got a lot of attention in the dutch press as well (just like the fuel issue). Below just a few. Sure the foreign press will start to publish very soon just as they did with the news on fuel usage.
Telegraaf (biggest Dutch newspaper)
'Piloten Ryanair vliegen als ze ziek zijn' - Reizen en vakanties | U leest er alles over op Reiskrant.nl van De Telegraaf [reiskrant]
BNR
Ryanair-piloten: ziekte geen excuus om niet te vliegen
Trouw (Dutch newspaper)
'Piloten Ryanair vliegen als ze ziek zijn' - Home - Trouw.nl
Eindhovens Dagblad (Dutch newspaper)
'Piloten Ryanair vliegen als ze ziek zijn'
The Google Translate is:
Under pressure from management
Ryanair pilots fly even if they are unable to do so. They stand by working with Ryanair under pressure to also fly if they `unfit to fly 'are. That is punishable according to European regulations. They do their statements in the program Brandpunt KRO Reporter
Thursday. Professional organizations want an investigation into the company of the Irish airline.
In Brandpunt Reporter three captains and co-pilot tell their story. This shows that pilots of Ryanair which are sick or tired are sitting in the cockpit. "The company we are in this position. That should not happen. " A colleague adds: "If we do not fly, we do not get paid.
So if you're sick, feel not fit, or if you have personal problems, it will affect your income. "
Ryanair does not accepts professional organizations and trade unions as partners. The legal status of most Ryanair pilots is weak because they involve a complicated structure are hired as 'contractors'. A pilot says: "It is exploitation. You lose your morale and motivation. You
feel like a slave. " Most pilots are only paid per flight hour and have no health insurance, disability insurance and pensions. A former commander of Ryanair says: "It is obvious that they are going to fly when they are not so capable." In the programme Brandpunt Reporter pilots admit that they have flown while there were not capable. "There is too much at stake to this kind of risk-taking, but we do it every day," admits one of them. According to Nico Voorbeek, president of the European Cockpit Association (ECA)
the 'Very difficult for pilots to admit this, because it concerns an offense. "
"This is shocking. I'm deeply impressed because it touches our professional pride 'reacts chairman Evert van Zwol of the Dutch Association of Pilots (VNV). Both professional organization who last week called for an investigation into the fuel policy of the Irish
prize fighter, want now broaden teh investigation. Nico Voorbeek: "I think that a study should be done to the company Ryanair. Evert van Zwol adds: "This culture is very bad for security, act of government is desirable."