Johnnypick,
I very much doubt the fire brigade charges 50 quid to each person that applies to them for a job (as they too are inundated with large numbers of applicants for a small number of positions) let alone charge them for an interview afterwards.
The whole process stinks to me as does the paltry salary that Ryannair pays initially. I am reliably informed that Ryannair have been cold calling Easyjet guys asking tham if they want to jump ship. Maybe these guys should negotiate a 50 pound fee before accepting the phone call !
Market forces dictate I'm afraid and I hope it comes back to haunt them at a later date. Nothing against the employees but the man who runs it is a charleton who would sell his mother C.O.D.