Whilst what Ryanair is doing seems to be legal - no doubt their lawyers have crawled all over their employment policies - they are taking a hell of a risk
If there is an accident (God forbid) and the tabloids go for them then claiming "it's all legal" will not stop a firestorm of biased, incorrect and malicious reporting that will do them some permanent damage
We've seen other companies and individuals get the tabloid treatment and they will get the same stick