Ryanair Interview and Sim Assessment (merged)
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As ever, it is most important to be aware of what you're buying (as buying a job it is).
In real terms, ryanair take home pay has almost halved since 2001. That's a massive rate of declining, which shows no signs of stopping.
At least one senior FO in Dublin (that's a rank no newbie will ever get, scrapped as it is) is delivering pizzas to supplement his meagre ryr income. This is an FO with many years experience let me reiterate.
There are now far more FO's than required. You will do nothing near 900 hrs p.a. Your ability to quickly move to a "better" job is reducing commensurate to the large number of FO's employed. Simply put, there are too many ryr pilots competing for jobs elsewhere. Ironically of course, your acceptance of pittance wages to begin with is undermining those airlines you may aspire to move to, thus further reducing your chances of moving on.
Given that you will be here for a long time and that your real wage will be ever declining, are you ready to live on the breadline for many many years? Remember its great fun to fly a shiny jet for about 6 months, then the reality of loan payments, rent, money of lifestyle starts to kick in. Sadly in ryr now, once the loans and rent is paid, there's nothing left over for lifestyle Thus is the reality of life as a low-cost pilot.
The only positive is that the pittance wages, allied with the reality that you face a long stay in ryr may force the newbies to be less apathetic and pathetic about the union than so many are at present.
In real terms, ryanair take home pay has almost halved since 2001. That's a massive rate of declining, which shows no signs of stopping.
At least one senior FO in Dublin (that's a rank no newbie will ever get, scrapped as it is) is delivering pizzas to supplement his meagre ryr income. This is an FO with many years experience let me reiterate.
There are now far more FO's than required. You will do nothing near 900 hrs p.a. Your ability to quickly move to a "better" job is reducing commensurate to the large number of FO's employed. Simply put, there are too many ryr pilots competing for jobs elsewhere. Ironically of course, your acceptance of pittance wages to begin with is undermining those airlines you may aspire to move to, thus further reducing your chances of moving on.
Given that you will be here for a long time and that your real wage will be ever declining, are you ready to live on the breadline for many many years? Remember its great fun to fly a shiny jet for about 6 months, then the reality of loan payments, rent, money of lifestyle starts to kick in. Sadly in ryr now, once the loans and rent is paid, there's nothing left over for lifestyle Thus is the reality of life as a low-cost pilot.
The only positive is that the pittance wages, allied with the reality that you face a long stay in ryr may force the newbies to be less apathetic and pathetic about the union than so many are at present.
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Camels back
Ive already had a "conversation " with camel....he was a DEC and is now fighting from the inside to rescue the whole industry. He never did reply to why he joined such a "money grabbing" company when there were other airlines out there.
Anyway Diamond....at my assesment i was asked about coffin corner and how to get out of it...why have swept wings....why do airliners fly so high....If you were flying from London to NYC and back which would be quicker and why....then explain about jet streams....i also heard from others questions about what engines does the 737-800 have...range of the 737-800...how does a wet runway affect your takeoff....Thats all i can remember for now..but i may have posted other questions somewhere on this thread...have a look throu...Cheers
Anyway Diamond....at my assesment i was asked about coffin corner and how to get out of it...why have swept wings....why do airliners fly so high....If you were flying from London to NYC and back which would be quicker and why....then explain about jet streams....i also heard from others questions about what engines does the 737-800 have...range of the 737-800...how does a wet runway affect your takeoff....Thats all i can remember for now..but i may have posted other questions somewhere on this thread...have a look throu...Cheers
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CamelhAir,
I am presuming you are a Ryanair pilot? What was your level of experience when you joined up (hours)? How much 'training' debt did you start your employment with? Did you pay (
) for your type rating like the rest of us potential cadets will have to? How long have you been flying the line for them? Was this the only opportunity you had at the time to become an airline pilot/further your career? Had you gone in thinking things would be better than what they actually were? How many airlines have you tried to escape to since you've been with Ryanair? Based on your views, I'm assuming this is something you're actively trying to do? How many hours do you have with Ryanair? Are you on a Brookfield contract? What was your take home last month? (Translated into £'s if you get paid in another currency).
There's a few questions there. All pretty straight forward. I'd appreciate it if you could answer them. It might help to give us a more objective view on your plight.
Everyone else,
I attended the open day. I had a call up for selection a week or so ago and I'll be along to EMA soon. I've booked some sim time with VA on the Classic for next week to get an early heads up on Jet ops etc.
Been greasing up on tech questions but to reiterate other requests, advice on specific areas would be most welcome.
Good luck to everyone
I am presuming you are a Ryanair pilot? What was your level of experience when you joined up (hours)? How much 'training' debt did you start your employment with? Did you pay (
) for your type rating like the rest of us potential cadets will have to? How long have you been flying the line for them? Was this the only opportunity you had at the time to become an airline pilot/further your career? Had you gone in thinking things would be better than what they actually were? How many airlines have you tried to escape to since you've been with Ryanair? Based on your views, I'm assuming this is something you're actively trying to do? How many hours do you have with Ryanair? Are you on a Brookfield contract? What was your take home last month? (Translated into £'s if you get paid in another currency).There's a few questions there. All pretty straight forward. I'd appreciate it if you could answer them. It might help to give us a more objective view on your plight.
Everyone else,
I attended the open day. I had a call up for selection a week or so ago and I'll be along to EMA soon. I've booked some sim time with VA on the Classic for next week to get an early heads up on Jet ops etc.
Been greasing up on tech questions but to reiterate other requests, advice on specific areas would be most welcome.
Good luck to everyone
Last edited by Diamond_Dog; 23rd Sep 2007 at 00:20.
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He never did reply to why he joined such a "money grabbing" company when there were other airlines out there.
Unfortunately MOl has worked out that plenty of pilots will work for a pittance. He only has to look at pprune to learn that.
I think you can infer, Diamond Dog, the answers to your questions from the above.
As for the old chestnut, why not leave? For what? To get ridden by another airline copying the fr methods? Look around you, the rot is widespread.
Coming on here and taking potshots at those who know what they're about isn't very sensible. Far better to listen, you might spare yourself the inevitable disillusionment.
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CamelhAir,
Its a real shame that pilots don't get to smoke cuban cigars on the flight deck any longer and that the glamour, perk and privilege aren't what they used to be. I'm sorry that things have gone badly for you. Hey i'm not really in it for the money. I'm just grateful I have all my limbs etc and the ability (some might disagree
) and opportunity to do what I've always wanted. Not everyone in the world is as lucky as we happy few. We band of brothers 
I was kind of hoping for some straight forward answers to my straight forward questions? I'm not interested trawling through your post history. All I can see in your response to me is more subjectiveness and the rather patronising quote i've included above. My apolgies if you think I am taking a shot at you. I'm just after some facts and in all honesty i'm interested in hearing your story a bit? After all I presume you're trying get support for your views and trying to do your bit to instigate some kind of change. Sitting there and just firing off isn't going to help or endear people to your view point.
I listen to alot of views from many people. That enables me to make a balanced judgement. I'm under no illusions about anything. Be they financial, operational, political or any thing else relating to how the aviation industry evolves and reacts to things.
Maybe you can talk to us like we are all on the same side and have another stab at answering some of those questions
I'm trying not to descend into the usual anonymous prune cat fight so I'll leave it at that...
Much love..
Its a real shame that pilots don't get to smoke cuban cigars on the flight deck any longer and that the glamour, perk and privilege aren't what they used to be. I'm sorry that things have gone badly for you. Hey i'm not really in it for the money. I'm just grateful I have all my limbs etc and the ability (some might disagree
) and opportunity to do what I've always wanted. Not everyone in the world is as lucky as we happy few. We band of brothers
Coming on here and taking potshots at those who know what they're about isn't very sensible. Far better to listen, you might spare yourself the inevitable disillusionment.
I listen to alot of views from many people. That enables me to make a balanced judgement. I'm under no illusions about anything. Be they financial, operational, political or any thing else relating to how the aviation industry evolves and reacts to things.
Maybe you can talk to us like we are all on the same side and have another stab at answering some of those questions
I'm trying not to descend into the usual anonymous prune cat fight so I'll leave it at that...
Much love..
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Response
Camel...nice to see you back on here..ive missed our two way tussle !!!
Dont you think that the current pilot pool are to blame for current conditions seeing as it was you who excepted all the changes?? Im not taking potshots but responding to your views..which at one point were blaming every new pilot who joins RYR because they want to get on and progress their career...as i said...only one group of pilots to blame if the conditions are so poor !! ...Everyone is entitled to their view which i respect but if things are so bad im surprised there are not more RYR pilots on here complaining..And if you are working for pittence then im still struggling to work out why you havent in the last 6 years moved onto bigger and better things?? With your experience im sure you would be snapped up in a shot by the "better" airlines who are still looking to increase their pilot pool.
Also a point well made by Diamond...its not just about the money..hell if i wanted to make more money i would have stayed in my previous job. Lets be grateful here...we could be nursing sick and dying people for pittence or sweepig the streets !!!
Als Diaomnd i have posted on this thread somewhere about my Sim assesment.....i would cut and paste but i have an early start in the morning..sorry..if you have any questions please pm me if you want.
Laters Whizzer
Dont you think that the current pilot pool are to blame for current conditions seeing as it was you who excepted all the changes?? Im not taking potshots but responding to your views..which at one point were blaming every new pilot who joins RYR because they want to get on and progress their career...as i said...only one group of pilots to blame if the conditions are so poor !! ...Everyone is entitled to their view which i respect but if things are so bad im surprised there are not more RYR pilots on here complaining..And if you are working for pittence then im still struggling to work out why you havent in the last 6 years moved onto bigger and better things?? With your experience im sure you would be snapped up in a shot by the "better" airlines who are still looking to increase their pilot pool.
Also a point well made by Diamond...its not just about the money..hell if i wanted to make more money i would have stayed in my previous job. Lets be grateful here...we could be nursing sick and dying people for pittence or sweepig the streets !!!
Als Diaomnd i have posted on this thread somewhere about my Sim assesment.....i would cut and paste but i have an early start in the morning..sorry..if you have any questions please pm me if you want.
Laters Whizzer
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Camelbreath
You write about the poor blighter at Ryan skare..my colleag from Spain he work for Ryan air and on week end he play the guitar on london underground..poor sod thems..but he learn to juggle bowling ball as more money it that..
what compoanie did he do pizza delivery for? Dominoes was it? are they still recriuting? and where he stationed?..coz I had interview but failed on the technial question..plus they want me to pay for my training on pizza makeing...my mate fail line training on deliverys coz hes too slow...what was hes pay at pizza place? how many deliverie sector he do in a nite?
Thank safe deliverys!!!
what compoanie did he do pizza delivery for? Dominoes was it? are they still recriuting? and where he stationed?..coz I had interview but failed on the technial question..plus they want me to pay for my training on pizza makeing...my mate fail line training on deliverys coz hes too slow...what was hes pay at pizza place? how many deliverie sector he do in a nite?
Thank safe deliverys!!!
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Where to get some sim hours to prepare?
Hi guys - I have been reviewing the posts (got till page 22 for the moment) and saw a lot of info in the interviews... many thanks to all!
one question I had... was thinking of getting some preparation in a 737 before the sim check - whenever that comes. I did my MCC in an a320, so probably will be a good idea...
any of you could reccomend me somewhere in europe (do not mind going to charleroi or london or somewhere else, not that many around here) where I could take some hours in an 737-800? I had heard that there were some places that specifically prepared for the ryr sim check...
any suggestions?
thank you very much!
one question I had... was thinking of getting some preparation in a 737 before the sim check - whenever that comes. I did my MCC in an a320, so probably will be a good idea...
any of you could reccomend me somewhere in europe (do not mind going to charleroi or london or somewhere else, not that many around here) where I could take some hours in an 737-800? I had heard that there were some places that specifically prepared for the ryr sim check...
any suggestions?
thank you very much!
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Hi,
Re 737-800 simulator assessment preparation for Ryanair candidates, please check your PMs:
http://www.virtualaviation.co.uk/tra...s/ryanair.html
Re 737-800 simulator assessment preparation for Ryanair candidates, please check your PMs:
http://www.virtualaviation.co.uk/tra...s/ryanair.html
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Hi folks,
I posted a thread in another section and its been taken over by anti ryanair/pay for type rating replys.
Basically I've been offereda place and wanna know what the initial outlay is.
Type Rating £24,000
Living £2,00
Uniform £300
ID £100
Disclousure £60
IAA conver. £150
Insurance £150
Parking £300
SEP(pool use) £2.40
Not sure if these are right but what I reckon them to be. If anyone just joined can help out it would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Kempus
I posted a thread in another section and its been taken over by anti ryanair/pay for type rating replys.
Basically I've been offereda place and wanna know what the initial outlay is.
Type Rating £24,000
Living £2,00
Uniform £300
ID £100
Disclousure £60
IAA conver. £150
Insurance £150
Parking £300
SEP(pool use) £2.40
Not sure if these are right but what I reckon them to be. If anyone just joined can help out it would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Kempus
Well done
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Kempus
That is a lot of cash mate, you probably don't want to hear it but I just did the exact same 737 NG TR at SAS Stockholm, (same SIM's everything) and it cost me 14,000 pounds (Includes base check)...However I didnt have a job at the end of it but I got invited for an interview the day I completed my base check..And if that fails and I don't have any luck after a few months then line training is 7500 pounds for 300 hours..
Apparently FR do 100 TR's a year in Sweden, so I wonder what they pay for them if the company I used can sell it for 14K and make a profit...plus FR do the base check in their own aircraft which reduces the cost again...
Apparently FR do 100 TR's a year in Sweden, so I wonder what they pay for them if the company I used can sell it for 14K and make a profit...plus FR do the base check in their own aircraft which reduces the cost again...
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Whizzer,
Thanks for the post. Check your PM's
Turkish,
£14k for a full JAR Type Rating on a 737-800 including the Base Check?!
It sounds to me like you've scored yourself the best deal on the planet!
Can I just double check with you. Does that include VAT? (The prices tend to be quoted without that included). Does it include any contingency for an extra 4 hour session should you need it?
A little food for thought...
The Ryanair TR is approx £19,500 inc VAT. (£16,090 not including VAT). Without wanting to second guess Kempus he would have quoted £24000 to compensate for an extra 4h sim session to reach test standard and maybe some transport etc. This isn't uncommon for people on the Type Rating and it's sensible to plan for it.
GECAT (now merged with SAS) offer self sponsored TR courses. (http://www.gecat.com/pilot_programme.asp). The cost here for the Type Rating is £17,950 inc. VAT. This doesn't include base training for which people are advised to reserve £5000. That totals approx £23000. Thats 9 grand more than what you're quoting with SAS?!
Thanks for the post. Check your PM's
Turkish,
£14k for a full JAR Type Rating on a 737-800 including the Base Check?!
It sounds to me like you've scored yourself the best deal on the planet!
Can I just double check with you. Does that include VAT? (The prices tend to be quoted without that included). Does it include any contingency for an extra 4 hour session should you need it?
A little food for thought...
The Ryanair TR is approx £19,500 inc VAT. (£16,090 not including VAT). Without wanting to second guess Kempus he would have quoted £24000 to compensate for an extra 4h sim session to reach test standard and maybe some transport etc. This isn't uncommon for people on the Type Rating and it's sensible to plan for it.
GECAT (now merged with SAS) offer self sponsored TR courses. (http://www.gecat.com/pilot_programme.asp). The cost here for the Type Rating is £17,950 inc. VAT. This doesn't include base training for which people are advised to reserve £5000. That totals approx £23000. Thats 9 grand more than what you're quoting with SAS?!
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Tr B737 Ng
Hi Diamond, yes its all true, I havent heard about it second hand I completed the course in August and did the base check last Monday...It was via Rhandem, I know they havent had the best publicity recently due to some issue with an Indian Airline and some other problems in Florida but I personally had no probs.
Euros 15,900 Books, CBT, posters, 1 week ground school and SIM sessions
(3 x 4hrs Static SIM, 8 x 4hrs Full motion, 1 x 2hrs Skills test)
Euros 5,000 T & Goes via Sterling
= Euros 20,900 @ 1.48 (Rate at the time I paid) = 14,121 pounds..Price includes VAT
However as you said if you're not up to scratch by the time of your skills test you will pay for extra SIM sessions, luckily enough this wasnt the case for me and i'm not perfect i've partialed skill tests before..
http://www.randhem.com/Info/SimpleText.aspx?MenuID=72
The price for the SIM, books etc now says Euros 16,200 but I paid 15,900 for sure..
Anyway check the web page or ring them up and hear it first hand if you still disbelieve me...
Euros 15,900 Books, CBT, posters, 1 week ground school and SIM sessions
(3 x 4hrs Static SIM, 8 x 4hrs Full motion, 1 x 2hrs Skills test)
Euros 5,000 T & Goes via Sterling
= Euros 20,900 @ 1.48 (Rate at the time I paid) = 14,121 pounds..Price includes VAT
However as you said if you're not up to scratch by the time of your skills test you will pay for extra SIM sessions, luckily enough this wasnt the case for me and i'm not perfect i've partialed skill tests before..
http://www.randhem.com/Info/SimpleText.aspx?MenuID=72
The price for the SIM, books etc now says Euros 16,200 but I paid 15,900 for sure..
Anyway check the web page or ring them up and hear it first hand if you still disbelieve me...
Last edited by Turkish777; 25th Sep 2007 at 21:45.