Which Ryanair Base?

[liamrob05]

I've been accepted onto the type rating course and was asking any Ryanair pilots which base you'd recommend(from personal experience)
I'm young and single so no commitments
Also,which type of base is best,a major hub like Stansted,lots of routes and different approaches ETC or a smaller one like Cork?
Cheers in advance.

Also,how many sectors can I expect to do in a working day,does this differ from base to base?

[fireflybob]

It all depends what you want (this assumes you have any choice in the matter!) but I would recommand a base with circa 6/7 a/c, i.e. not too small and not too large. Consider travelling arrangements as you will be going to and from the airport for 5 days at a time - how long will it take to get from your door to the crewroom and whether there is a dedicated staff channel (security) or if you will have to walk miles through a terminal building with masses of passengers! Also get some feedback about the Base Captain from those who are based there.

Hope this helps.

[liamrob05]

Cheers,A low tax rate will help my decision and a place where cost of living is reletively low

[preduk]

I've got a buddy who flew from Cork, said it's really nice airport but he moved to Prestwick the first opportunity he got. He was a local lad though :rolleyes:

[45989]

None. Unless you are really up **** creek!!!!!

[pabarret]

Hi, new to the forum, was just wondering why none?

[rubik101]

Low tax rate? This is Europe and we all pay tax, or we should be, at one rate or another. If you are not paying tax you are breaking the law. If you're caught out evading tax you will suffer greatly. If you have a sure-fire way of avoiding tax, please share it with us.

I agree that 6-8 aircraft is an ideal size as you will have the best mix of routes. In UK, LPL or BHM would be my choice as rent is not too expensive for a nice flat/apartment. LPL is great around the dock area.

If you want sun and sea, go to Spain somewhere. Reus opens soon.

[flamingmoe]

Do Ryanair still hire contract captains over summer? If so, what are the terms? Wouldnt mind a change of scenery for a while and present employer is offering leave without pay.

[liamrob05]

Rubik,not once did I say I don't want to pay tax or what gives you the right to assume that I'm a criminal tax dodger.
Quite simply I don't want to be losing half my wage in tax.

[keltic]

Have you considered coming to Spain, to Barcelona-Gerona for instance?. Relatively low prices, sunny the whole year round, beach close, quite and nice city to live, but with big an exciting Barcelona at short distance.

No negative points.

[The Real Slim Shady]

Depending on the contract you sign, Brookfield for example have floating contracts, you may get to see all of them!

Your chances of getting one of the sunshine bases straight from convex are minimal: there are queues of people bidding for the sun.

Of the UK mainland bases EDI starts in Sept and they will be looking for crews there: LPL, BHX and EMA are all good as is PIK.

The BRS folks seem quite happy and some guys are still hoping to get BOH.

Really does depend on where you want to be:UK, and where, or Europe and where.

Don't forget that even if you make the wrong choice you can bid to move.

[END BAG]

I would think E.M.A. is probably a great first base. Six based aircraft,loads of local accomadation,staff channel to your crewroom probably 500 yards at most,nearly all the flights run on time and the last one in is here by 23-30.From what i hear the social side is pretty good with lots of nights out in nearby Notingham and Derby and there are some quite stunning girls amongst the crews(but lots of boys if you prefer )The flight deck guys i speak to via the headsets all seem pretty decent as well.

[Happy Wanderer]

On the basis the Brookfield contract says you have to 'be prepared to fly from any Ryanair base in Europe, you may not get a choice!! Have heard of a few instances of new FR jocks getting a first base at Reus, Marseille, etc when prefering a UK base, so it sounds like a bit of a lottery.

HW

[Callsign Kilo]

Gerona, Liverpool, Dublin, Shannon and Birmingham were offered last week to a colleague.

Kerry, Shannon and Cork come up regularly. It largely depends on the figures week by week as there are a lot of cadets and command upgrades occuring. You may be luckey and then again you may not. However it's not as if you weren't told prior to agreeing to the contract. A lottery is a good description of the process, however I have been informed that effort is made in order to get the base that you want eventually (I would certainly speak up for this as crewing have helped me out when asked). However if you are from Sweden and want to go to Skavska then join the que, your number is 647!

[Jet Fuel Addict]

What I wouldn't give for Bergamo! Very nice in the summer, city is absolutely beautiful, food is amazing. Great scenary all around (great lakes of Italy for example) relatively cheap, very nice looking italian girls driving around on their vespa's...

Winter only an hours drive away from some very good ski resorts. With your 4 days off between flying I'd be gone in the mountains every time!

Walk to the crewroom is via side entrance and literally a 30 metres walk.
Have about 7 aircraft and very nice routes of around 1.30 hours each. Not too long, not too short.

Perfect!

[liamrob05]

I must say Bergamo sounds very nice and a great variety of routes:ok:

How fars Girona from the Pyrenees,the prospect of skiing on days off sounds very tempting:p

[The Big Easy]

Is Edinburgh on the radar for a basing?

TBE.

[Fancy Navigator]

Why don't you do and pass the type rating first, then the line training, spend some time in any base, and then be picky about which base you would like?
:ugh:

[Markhiggs]

Yes there are legal ways to reduce the uk tax rate to almost zero
I used to work as a tax adviser for a large UK bank

[flamingmoe]

What would be the best way to apply as a DEC? Direct to Ryanair via the website, or via a contract agency?

[liamrob05]

Direct to Ryanair according to a friend:ok:

[Knee Trembler]

Apply direct by email, but beware - I was there for assessment in mid July and still not heard the result. Also, they seem to be only offering 'fast track FO' unless you have a lot of left seat 737.

KT

[The Real Slim Shady]

Last I heard we have enough FOs ready for upgrade and hiring DECs is on hold.

We still have a need for close on 900 FOs in the next 2 years.

[despegue]

Hi,

As my preferred bases are Charleroi, Weeze or Hahn, what are my chances of getting these as an initial base?

I could also accept MAD, Girona, BGY, CIA.

Any UK bases are impossible for me.

[ssschmokin1]

Grom

If you have to pay for the type it is in the region of 27,000 euro. Non JAA as I understand it get a year IAA validation, and have to do the exams to convert over. Likely to get offered Brookfield contract at the moment i think. EU residency will simplify your life no end.

Schmo

[MrHorgy]

Basing is a complete lottery, although if you want STN or DUB you might have a very slightly better chance of getting it due to the higher turnover of crews. Generally most people get offered a choice of 3-4, when I was based I got to pick from STN, PIK, SNN, HHN & MRS.

Once your there though moving bases is a bit hit and miss, i'm on a transfer list at the moment for a base and am getting pretty narked that new cadets are going there ahead of me! Sit and do your time and the opportunity comes, but with everything Ryanair be prepared for anything.

Horgy

[Jet Fuel Addict]

I know what you mean. Putting my bid in regularly for BGY. Then hear some cadet get a choice to go there as their permanent base, is like a stab in the back...:{

Cadet went to liverpool instead I think.... Sigh.

[Alt.cap]

Am aware of the possible hold on DEC's (previously posted) but if joining as such at what point would you start collecting pay - day 1 of your conversion, post sim, on release to the line (or god forbid, later!)

Are FO's required to move on achieving their promotion? If so which bases currently have a requirement for Capts?

Thanks for any input.

[chrian_dk]

the general english consensus of, please don't send me across the ocean just friggin sickens me, how about you come down into the sun and enjoy your sad life for once, away from mommy for a year might actually do you good... what's holding you back, weather, women... please...

take girona reus alicante bergamo pisa.......

[curser]

I'd chose a base with a descent load factor, if you can find one. Here comes the reaper.

[Alt.cap]

chrian_dk

That you've registered just to post your contribution suggests you feel strongly on the subject.

If you are attempting a wind up at least try an use a bit of original thought or even wit. If not consider this - in your home country there's a village missing it's idiot.

[JW411]

"I'd chose a base with a descent load factor"

Why would you want to go to a base where the load factor is descending?

Once it gets to a break-even figure, MOL will close the base and you will then have to re-locate.

[curser]

good point JW, I did of course mean a decent load factor , tricky chap johnny beer.

[dumdumbrain]

Most non-based pilots like EMA,,, smallish base, nice crew, nice routes, shame about the base capt tho