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O'Leary going to Jail?

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Old 21st Apr 2005, 19:16
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O'Leary going to Jail !!!!

Taken from RTE this afternoon

O'Leary in court over alleged order breach

21 April 2005 17:04
Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary was in the High Court this afternoon as lawyers acting on his behalf fought to keep him out of jail.

Ryanair pilot John Goss of Yellow Walls Road, Malahide, is seeking an order for the committal to jail of Mr O'Leary and the company's head of flight and ground operations, David O'Brien.

Mr Goss claims the company has breached a court order.



Last February Mr Goss secured a High Court order stopping the company from conducting a disciplinary meeting with him pending a full court hearing.

He claimed the disciplinary process was bogus and designed to get at him because he joined a pilots' trade union and brought a claim of victimisation.

On 13 April last he received notice that he was being suspended on full pay until the proceedings and any subsequent disciplinary proceedings had been brought to a conclusion.

Mr Goss claims this move is in contempt of the existing court order and he is now engaged in a process which if successful could result in the jailing of Michael O'Leary and David O'Brien.
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Old 21st Apr 2005, 21:25
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Oh really.....?

Hmm, if MOL is looking at jail time, he just might decide to close up FR...and start afresh.
Lesser pay, poorer T&C's, with a 'take it or leave it' attitude...just like now
Oh dear, oh dear, the devil you know.........
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 06:52
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From todays Irish Independent:

RYANAIR Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, and the company's director of flight and ground operations David O'Brien, were in the High Court yesterday for the hearing of an application by one of the airline's pilots to have them jailed for alleged contempt of a previous court order.

The pilot, John Goss, of Malahide, Co Dublin, is also seeking an order against Ryanair Ltd rescinding his purported suspension of April 12, which he claims, is also in contempt of a court order of February 28.

He submits that an order made by the High Court on February 28 last restraining the company from conducting a disciplinary meeting with him pending the trial of the action has been breached. A full hearing of those proceedings have been fixed for May 31.

Ryanair denies Mr Goss' claims and submits his suspension is "an operational and safety decision".

Mr O'Brien, in an affidavit, said it would be wholly inappropriate to allow Mr Goss to fly passenger aircraft during the run-up to High Court proceedings given "the inevitable pressures and strains of such High Court proceedings".

Mr Goss believed the procedure was motivated by the company's wish to subject him to "bullying, harassment and intimidation" in an attempt to communicate with other employees, particularly pilots.

Yesterday, Mr O'Brien, in an affidavit, said the letter of suspension to Mr Goss went to extraordinary lengths to assure him the suspension would be temporary.

The hearing continues today.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 07:56
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What about it now?

Please bring on the news! Keep bringing them!

And a big applause to our collegue Mr Goss for that bright move!
That company has had so many trials in Europe with little effects, and it seems that the David was inside the company...
It's easy to say "keep on fighting", (especially when I still have my salary) but go all the way! GO GO GO!
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 07:56
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Question

Mr O'Brien, in an affidavit, said it would be wholly inappropriate to allow Mr Goss to fly passenger aircraft during the run-up to High Court proceedings given "the inevitable pressures and strains of such High Court proceedings".
I take it then that Mr. O'Brien and Mr. O'Leary have relieved themselves from the duty of running a passenger carrying airline for the same reasons!?!

Kirk out....
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 08:18
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GOOD FOR CAPTAIN GOSS. "They dont like it up 'em", as Corporal Jones used to say. Ryanair is the unacceptable face of contemporary corporatism, and your courage in exposing it deserves all our support.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 09:08
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When I started in this business more than 25 years ago, it was a highly respected profession. Like a surgeon or a lawyer, a professional pilot had demonstrated resolve and commitment, had achieved the highest academic and leadership skills, and was a skilled craftsman of his trade. Such a man was rewarded commensurately, and enjoyed the appreciation of those who engaged him and those who laid their lives in his hands.

People like O’Leary have brought this fine profession low, have stripped it of its ermine, and prostituted its honour like a cheap slut. The traditional lack of militancy, and the professional commitment of the airline pilot, together with the plentiful supply of new recruits who would do the job for nothing just to get a foot in the door, have been used by the O’Learys and beancounters of this world to undermine our livelihoods to the extent we are now but tradesmen.

When I look at that professional licence, the certificates proudly hung on the wall, the logbook with its thousands of hours, the children whose lives I have so scantly witnessed, and the wonderful woman who has raised them in my frequent absence, I imagine O’Leary stamping them into a muddy puddle while he laughs in my face.

The industry is now full of O’Learys. People who are not of measure or achievement, nor consummate leaders of men, treating me and my colleagues like refuse collectors. If O’Leary is guilty as charged, I will shed no tears.

Is a life sentence available?
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 09:43
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What's going to happen when and if Ryanair goes under as customers will no longer want to fly as it is more expensive? For reference have a look at what was Ansett. Will staff then complain that there is no money in the pot to pay for holiday and serverance pay?

If you are unhappy, then leave. If there aren't any other jobs, then be thankful that the bills are still getting paid.

Don't think that you can get any more straight to the point then that.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 09:59
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very well put,captain peacock.

he will not do time,but a kick up the ass might serve him well.

he,like all of us wiil face a judgement in time,where he will have no defense team and will not be able to hide behind his lies.then let him justify his abuse of people.with the flames licking at his heels.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 12:40
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I hope the judge in this case takes full consideration of O'Learys past performance in such matters.

Perhaps we can remind the good judge of the comments made to the European Commission by O'Leary which no doubt give an insight into his respect for authority, including no doubt, Courts of Law.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 13:12
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Last February Mr Goss secured a High Court order stopping the company from conducting a disciplinary meeting with him pending a full court hearing.
On 13 April last he received notice that he was being suspended on full pay until the proceedings and any subsequent disciplinary proceedings had been brought to a conclusion.
How is the second a breach of the first?
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 15:14
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under_exposed,

I think thats why the judge has invited MOL to his court to determine if " suspending" someone is part of a disciplinary process.

I wonder how the institutional shareholders feel about the Chief Executive of their investment company being in court and facing jail for contempt. While no-one can MOL's success in making RYR a hosehold name, and very profitable, I can't help feel the major shareholders will start to take a dim view of the thrashing of Ryanair's business reuptation by the CX facing jail for contempt.

Maybe MOL will sarcriface Mr. O'Brien in this excercise.

JMC-MAN
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 17:57
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Is it not the case that at RYR a pilot's income comprises pay + sector pay? I've heard this is in the ratio of about 50/50. If one is suspended on full pay it might be that one's income is halfed. This would seem to be a financial penalty and would therefore seem to breach the spirit of the judge's ruling.

Expanding further a field: does anyone have any idea how many legal cases RYR is defending at the moment, and at what cost? I have hard rumours, and the costs involved during the past 12 months would be a respectable profit for some companies.
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Old 22nd Apr 2005, 20:08
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FR001 has entered the hold

According to the latest update on RTE, the judge has reserved his decision, and the case will be reentered next Wednesday.

For the details, go here

Wonder who will lose the most sleep this weekend?
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 01:29
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Sadly, Capt Peacock, today’s general labor problems/pay/terms and conditions for the airline pilot can be traced directly to three main sources…
Airline deregulation in the USA
The militant bunch in ALPA
The militant bunch in the Australian 1989 dispute

Deregulation means new entry carriers can trump established legacy airlines, ALPA in the USA became so militant with their incessant demands, that airlines gave in…and now find the shoe is on the other foot, and are using a really big club to beat down wages.
Low cost carriers are the reason, and like it or not, they are here to stay.
MOL is but the most undesirable of the LLC’s chief executives, but as has been pointed out already, he definitely provides employment for a good many pilots, and IF those pilots find greener pastures elsewhere, I’m sure they will avail themselves of same.

Anyone for the sand pit?

EK perhaps?
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 04:48
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...and that really is one of the most intelligent summaries of the situation that I have seen for some time. We are so often our own worst enemy... comes with the motivation to be pilots I guess.
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 07:41
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From today's Irish Independent:

THAT Michael O'Leary. He has our hearts scalded.

And, yesterday, if only for a flickering moment, it appeared that, he too, was beginning to rue the day he became "Michael O'Leary" - court jester, government menace and all-round “colourful character”.

A rumour had gathered pace that the irrepressible budget high-flyer planned on dressing up as a prison warden for his High Court appearance.

Everyone was very disappointed then when he turned up in his very ordinary, customary, open-necked shirt and brass buttoned blazer. But a rare treat was in store for all in Court 13 who witnessed the hard-nut airline boss visibly squirming in his seat at certain comments by the judge.

Judge Barry White drily referred to Mr O'Leary's televised comments carried on the news after the hearing the previous day.

Who would have thought that he knew how to blush, we wondered at the heartening sight of brass-neck Michael squeezing out a few pinky shades.

Judge White was in top form. He said he was aware that Mr O'Leary is "a great believer in the adage that all publicity is good publicity. I don't know Mr O'Leary personally but I know his public persona."

"I observed it on the news last night," he continued. The court exploded with hearty laughter, with even the plaintiff, pilot John Goss, in stitches. Mr O'Leary smiled uncomfortably.

In silky, soft tones Justice White added that he was also conscious of that morning's paper which had contained "certain colour matters". "On the papacy," he added.

There was a full-page advertisement that had Bertie tricked up as the new pope, proclaiming: "Habemus chaos at Dublin airport" and "Young people of Ireland ... join the airport queues."

But all this heat was getting to Michael O'Leary and, to heck with etiquette; he had to take off his jacket with the nice brass buttons.

Meanwhile, it's emerged Ryanair is cutting more costs - by banning its staff from charging their mobile phones at work. "Every cent counts" said a spokeswoman adding that the ban did not originate with Michael O'Leary.

Also see the Guardian: Guardian April 23rd
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 09:09
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...................I wonder if he'll be sent to a lo-cost prison where he has to pay over-the-top prices for his daily grub!!...............
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 11:30
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hang 'em high

I've got to say I totally agree with Capt. Peacock. These wretched accountants and other admin wallahs who treat pilots as ordinary people MUST be stopped. They must be told how it can take as long as eight months of hard study to obtain an ATPL - even longer if you haven't got any GCSEs to start with.
(That's about the same as a lawyer or brain surgeon ?????)
And all the other things that make pilots so special and worthy of consideration that no other ordinary airline staff have to suffer........the long hours during the night when at least one of them have to be awake, missing normal meal times, being away from home when the kids are growing up, not being able to decorate the sitting room because of all your qualifications displayed there...(Annual SEP...PASS, Annual competence...PASS,
Bi-annual Technical Refresher...PASS - dozens of the things a pilot gets awarded that no other ordinary person gets to hang on his wall)
Absolutely ! These people should try reading through the Ops Manual when you're dead tired to see if your overnight allowances are correct - thank goodness aircrew are still on higher rates than any other airline staff.............but be warned, the O'Learys of this world will try to stop that as well, with some argument that a pilot's standard of living should be no different to anyone elses.
If only pilots had a real union instead of the association of professional gentlemen they like to think they're in.............
I'm afraid it's going to get worse before it gets better, look what's happened to the reputation of politicians.
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Old 23rd Apr 2005, 12:39
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All too late...

<<If only pilots had a real union instead of the association of professional gentlemen they like to think they're in.............>>

Wouln't do any good.
Not today, with LLC's biting at the heels of many airlines.
Look at ALPA/APA in the USA.
A more militant lot would be hard to find, yet do you really think they are clamoring for higher wages today?
What they are trying to do is keep what jobs they have, never mind anything else. If a few here think that 'unions' will keep 'em employed in airlines today, they are sadly mistaken.
If the MOL's of the airline managements today find a 'union' at the door, they could simply close up shop, and start afresh.
Can't happen you say?
Connie Kalitta did it with American International, and they guys there lost it all....401K's, the lot.
Or, CX style selective dismissals would take the starch out of any so called 'action'.
Labor laws?
For the most part, they might be fine, but the airline industry would seem to be the exception....doesn't apply here.
Managements will find a reason to get rid of a troublemaker or three, make no mistake.

Do some here really believe that somehow airlines are exempt from the laws of the financial world?
If so, these folks have a very unpleasant awakening ahead.

Now, having said all this, it would appear that MOL is chosen to forget that you can attract more flys with honey than you can with vinegar.
Like many line pilots, he appears to have ignored basic human nature...throw 'em a bone from time to time to keep the 'union' hounds at bay.

<<They must be told how it can take as long as eight months of hard study to obtain an ATPL - even longer if you haven't got any GCSEs to start with.>>

Frankly, they couldn't care less.
Silly boy...
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