One thing that people seem to have missed is that none of the Ryanair pilots were forced to sign their contracts. I was with buzz when it was swallowed by Ryanair and had the opportunity to join them. The contract spelled out the terms and conditions, which to my mind were unacceptable. As a result I didn't sign and was made redundant. I don't altogether buy the argument "the new pilot must find work somewhere" either. Anyone with ideas of getting into this profession (trade?) should have done his homework. Yes, I was working when conditions were different, but I still knew what I was getting into.