Ryanair pilot recruitment coming to talk to United Airlines pilots?
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Ryanair pilot recruitment coming to talk to United Airlines pilots?
Hi guys-
Long term lurker, first time poster. I have a question for you all....
As many of you know, things are pretty ugly over here in the U.S. airline industry. Here at United, it looks like we will be laying off somewhere around 900 active line pilots. Our company is trying to mitigate some of the layoffs, and we received a company e-mail today concerning possible pilot job opportunities at Ryanair.
As my companions and I read this e-mail, we're kind of confused. The e-mail basically stated that "a head of Ryanair pilot recruitment" is going to come to talk to any interested United pilot about taking a job at Ryanair, in an attempt (we assume) to possibly allow our furloughees a chance at a job and perhaps attract some current and qualified 737 Captains.
We're a little confused by this potential offer, and perhaps some of you can shed some light on the subject:
1) Why would Ryanair even consider hiring United furloughees or current and qualified United pilots when they know that most or all of these pilots would just simply return to the U.S. during the next economic upswing?
2) Why would Ryanair even consider U.S. pilots at all when the vast majority of us don't have the EU equivalent of the U.S. ATP and probably won't go through the time and expense of obtaining it?
3) Isn't Ryanair shrinking or at the very least not growing much? I thought I read on this forum that Ryanair was suffering a bit under the current economic climate and one would think that therefore wouldn't need to actively recruit pilots?
4) Why would Ryanair even look for pilots in the U.S. at all? The compensation package looks pretty decent and is certainly higher than most found in the U.S. Despite the worldwide "pilot shortage" we keep hearing about in the U.S., one would think that the Ryanair compensation package would at least attract enough qualified European pilots to fill the slots?
Thanks in advance for the input.
Long term lurker, first time poster. I have a question for you all....
As many of you know, things are pretty ugly over here in the U.S. airline industry. Here at United, it looks like we will be laying off somewhere around 900 active line pilots. Our company is trying to mitigate some of the layoffs, and we received a company e-mail today concerning possible pilot job opportunities at Ryanair.
As my companions and I read this e-mail, we're kind of confused. The e-mail basically stated that "a head of Ryanair pilot recruitment" is going to come to talk to any interested United pilot about taking a job at Ryanair, in an attempt (we assume) to possibly allow our furloughees a chance at a job and perhaps attract some current and qualified 737 Captains.
We're a little confused by this potential offer, and perhaps some of you can shed some light on the subject:
1) Why would Ryanair even consider hiring United furloughees or current and qualified United pilots when they know that most or all of these pilots would just simply return to the U.S. during the next economic upswing?
2) Why would Ryanair even consider U.S. pilots at all when the vast majority of us don't have the EU equivalent of the U.S. ATP and probably won't go through the time and expense of obtaining it?
3) Isn't Ryanair shrinking or at the very least not growing much? I thought I read on this forum that Ryanair was suffering a bit under the current economic climate and one would think that therefore wouldn't need to actively recruit pilots?
4) Why would Ryanair even look for pilots in the U.S. at all? The compensation package looks pretty decent and is certainly higher than most found in the U.S. Despite the worldwide "pilot shortage" we keep hearing about in the U.S., one would think that the Ryanair compensation package would at least attract enough qualified European pilots to fill the slots?
Thanks in advance for the input.
I REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE
1) Ryanair has no union representation. If they can find cheaper contractors than those already working for them they will use them.
2) Once the figures stack up for RYR everything else will follow. I wouldn't anticipate much help with the conversion. Also RYR have a comfortable working relationship with the regulator.
3) They still have a few
aircraft to come from Seattle. It costs them little to be overcrewed with contractors one way or another.
4) There is always a gap between what is promised and what is delivered. In RYR's case their reputation as an employer precedes them which scares many European pilots off.
Having said all that there are clearly hundreds of people very happily employed at Ryanair. Like many things it depends on your own expectations and priorities.
Suggested further reading
sr
2) Once the figures stack up for RYR everything else will follow. I wouldn't anticipate much help with the conversion. Also RYR have a comfortable working relationship with the regulator.
3) They still have a few
aircraft to come from Seattle. It costs them little to be overcrewed with contractors one way or another.4) There is always a gap between what is promised and what is delivered. In RYR's case their reputation as an employer precedes them which scares many European pilots off.
Having said all that there are clearly hundreds of people very happily employed at Ryanair. Like many things it depends on your own expectations and priorities.
Suggested further reading
sr
Last edited by speedrestriction; 26th Jul 2008 at 20:40. Reason: spelling
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follow up questions please....
Thanks sr for your response. I am asking these questions on behalf of many of our soon-to-be furloughed pilots, as many of them are about to lose their jobs here at United with little to no prospect of finding a flying job in the U.S., not even at a $20,000/year regional airline.
And I did a cursory search on Ryanair and spent about an hour reading. I also read your link that you gave me but it was 2 years old. Is the information in that link still pretty current?
1) In the e-mail sent to the United pilots who are soon to be furloughed, it linked to the Ryanair payscales on their website. As I mentioned, those payscales are quite a bit higher than what we earn here in the U.S. Are you saying that in the EU those payscales aren't competitive and our furloughees would be undercutting the competition with those payscales?
2) I realize that there are probably a million posts on this topic, but unfortunately I just don't have the time to piece together information from several dozen threads. Could someone tell me, in a nutshell, what a U.S. pilot with an U.S. ATP would have to do in order to work for a European carrier (like Ryanair), as far as certification goes. As a temporary contract pilot, would they have to do anything at all?
3) What advice would you guys give to a United pilot who is about to be furloughed and looking at working for Ryanair for a few years until the industry rights itself in the U.S.?
4) What questions should a United pilot who is about to be furloughed ask the Ryanair pilot recruiter?
5) What is the current lifestyle of a Ryanair contract pilot like?
Please feel free (anyone!) to post your opinion. This recruiter is coming soon and I want to get as much information together for our soon-to-be furloughed guys. PM me if desired.
Thank you for your time.
And I did a cursory search on Ryanair and spent about an hour reading. I also read your link that you gave me but it was 2 years old. Is the information in that link still pretty current?
1) In the e-mail sent to the United pilots who are soon to be furloughed, it linked to the Ryanair payscales on their website. As I mentioned, those payscales are quite a bit higher than what we earn here in the U.S. Are you saying that in the EU those payscales aren't competitive and our furloughees would be undercutting the competition with those payscales?
2) I realize that there are probably a million posts on this topic, but unfortunately I just don't have the time to piece together information from several dozen threads. Could someone tell me, in a nutshell, what a U.S. pilot with an U.S. ATP would have to do in order to work for a European carrier (like Ryanair), as far as certification goes. As a temporary contract pilot, would they have to do anything at all?
3) What advice would you guys give to a United pilot who is about to be furloughed and looking at working for Ryanair for a few years until the industry rights itself in the U.S.?
4) What questions should a United pilot who is about to be furloughed ask the Ryanair pilot recruiter?
5) What is the current lifestyle of a Ryanair contract pilot like?
Please feel free (anyone!) to post your opinion. This recruiter is coming soon and I want to get as much information together for our soon-to-be furloughed guys. PM me if desired.
Thank you for your time.
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This paragraph from a recent Ryanair annual report should spell it out...
"The airlines who will survive this period of higher oil prices and industry downturn are those with new cheaper fuel efficient aircraft, lower costs, substantial cash balances, low net debt and management who are ready to exploit downturns to drive costs lower and increase efficiency."
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Above are all sound comments.
I have been at Ryanair just over 1 year having come from another UK carrier.
I find them, so far, straight forward to work for. The money as a Ryanair employed capt is excellent at what would be over equivalent $10k US per month.
If you are a contract pilot, I would imagine you would not be able to benefit from the pension scheme, health plan and staff travel, all off which you contribute to anyway.
The things I like are:-
The money
The variety
Rock steady 5/4 roster pattern
New aircraft
Excellent engineering support
Has 130 737-800 on firm order
Has 3 billion euro cash in the bank to help weather any storms
Very aggressive marketing strategies
Feels a very safe place to be.
Incidentally, you can live really anywhere you like and can use Ryanair flights as a free bus service to get to/from work. You only need to show your pass to the ramp agent or captain.
If you do come to Ryanair, then don't be too surprised to fly 900hrs a year and get some practice at non precision, circling etc approaches. All good stuff.
I have been at Ryanair just over 1 year having come from another UK carrier.
I find them, so far, straight forward to work for. The money as a Ryanair employed capt is excellent at what would be over equivalent $10k US per month.
If you are a contract pilot, I would imagine you would not be able to benefit from the pension scheme, health plan and staff travel, all off which you contribute to anyway.
The things I like are:-
The money
The variety
Rock steady 5/4 roster pattern
New aircraft
Excellent engineering support
Has 130 737-800 on firm order
Has 3 billion euro cash in the bank to help weather any storms
Very aggressive marketing strategies
Feels a very safe place to be.
Incidentally, you can live really anywhere you like and can use Ryanair flights as a free bus service to get to/from work. You only need to show your pass to the ramp agent or captain.
If you do come to Ryanair, then don't be too surprised to fly 900hrs a year and get some practice at non precision, circling etc approaches. All good stuff.
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Irishjetdriver-
Thank you for your comments. Why do you think Ryanair is going out of their way to get United pilots? Are they "OK" with guys going to work for them a few years and then leaving?
On the Ryanair website, it says that direct entry Captains can make "up to 130,000 euros/year" and direct entry First Officers can make "up to 80,000 euros/year." Whenever I read an advertisement that includes the words "up to," red flags go up.
If a current and qualified United Captain (737-300, not NG) were to take direct entry employment at Ryanair, what kind of annual income could they expect to earn in the years that are the non-"up-to" years? How about a United First Officer current on the 737-300? What kind of deductions could be expected from that salary for Ryanair required expenses like training, uniform, or whatever else I've been reading about? Would the U.S. pilot be required to foot any other bills?
I realize I could ask the recruiter these questions when he arrives in a few weeks, but I'd like to get the opinions of others as well.
Thanks for your time.
Thank you for your comments. Why do you think Ryanair is going out of their way to get United pilots? Are they "OK" with guys going to work for them a few years and then leaving?
On the Ryanair website, it says that direct entry Captains can make "up to 130,000 euros/year" and direct entry First Officers can make "up to 80,000 euros/year." Whenever I read an advertisement that includes the words "up to," red flags go up.
If a current and qualified United Captain (737-300, not NG) were to take direct entry employment at Ryanair, what kind of annual income could they expect to earn in the years that are the non-"up-to" years? How about a United First Officer current on the 737-300? What kind of deductions could be expected from that salary for Ryanair required expenses like training, uniform, or whatever else I've been reading about? Would the U.S. pilot be required to foot any other bills?
I realize I could ask the recruiter these questions when he arrives in a few weeks, but I'd like to get the opinions of others as well.
Thanks for your time.
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about ryan air and other options....
I am indian woman who has an FAA commercial ASEL and AMEL license and am obtaining my FAA CFI and most probably CFII by the next month...
now the thing is that I have a norwegian boyfriend and its been a long standing dream of mine to live and work in europe....
Do i have any chances of any sort of a pilot job there..I dont care how little im paid..i would just love to work there....
Is there any sort of option with ryan air and my signing a contract and my signing a contract or soemthing....coz im willing to move bag and baggage there by next month once im done with the CFI if i have to..
If you or anyone else can help me with my dream there's no one going to be more grateful
sincerely
Kiran
now the thing is that I have a norwegian boyfriend and its been a long standing dream of mine to live and work in europe....
Do i have any chances of any sort of a pilot job there..I dont care how little im paid..i would just love to work there....
Is there any sort of option with ryan air and my signing a contract and my signing a contract or soemthing....coz im willing to move bag and baggage there by next month once im done with the CFI if i have to..
If you or anyone else can help me with my dream there's no one going to be more grateful
sincerely
Kiran
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I imagine Ryanair would have various clauses that would cover them should you leave before a certain time, however that would depend on what training/conversion you would require. I never flew any other 737 but I am told the 800 with winglets(entire Ryanair fleet) is a very different beast to handle. Otherwise, it's just another 737 apparently.
The USD figure quoted is what I take home after tax, but may be very slightly less during the winter. I was a DEC and have been in 1yr. If you are under contract then tax is up to you and I believe the salary is in euros. I am a Ryanair employee based in the UK and am paid in GBP.
In general, with Ryanair, you get a job and a plane fitted with a special button which when pressed causes a member of cabin crew to bring you as much hot water as you like. Not much else. You might have to pay for your conversion. You will certainly have to pay your accomodation and food. If you already have a uniform then wear that otherwise they'll sell you one.
This must be really tough times in UA but if times are that rough then FR are as safe as possible and beats unemployment. I guess UA must help in the severance package ? Also you will have the -800 on your licence which can only be a good thing. I think you would find this as different as you could get to UA. I really enjoyed my last company and thought FR would be a bunch of sh**s to work for.......but so far......they're not.
Check your PM
The USD figure quoted is what I take home after tax, but may be very slightly less during the winter. I was a DEC and have been in 1yr. If you are under contract then tax is up to you and I believe the salary is in euros. I am a Ryanair employee based in the UK and am paid in GBP.
In general, with Ryanair, you get a job and a plane fitted with a special button which when pressed causes a member of cabin crew to bring you as much hot water as you like. Not much else. You might have to pay for your conversion. You will certainly have to pay your accomodation and food. If you already have a uniform then wear that otherwise they'll sell you one.
This must be really tough times in UA but if times are that rough then FR are as safe as possible and beats unemployment. I guess UA must help in the severance package ? Also you will have the -800 on your licence which can only be a good thing. I think you would find this as different as you could get to UA. I really enjoyed my last company and thought FR would be a bunch of sh**s to work for.......but so far......they're not.
Check your PM
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Not to sure about marrying your boyfriend. Norway is NOT a part of the EU (although there citizens are allowed travel unrestricted within the EU). I would check that with the relevant authorities first. Marrying a person from another country is not an automatic right to be granted citizenship.
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EU/EEA Citizens
Marriage to an EEA national
On the 1st of January 1994, Norway became a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) which comprises of the EU member states and the three EFTA states: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
The EEA agreement secures nationals of the EU and EFTA countries freedom of movement and establishment throughout the area, and a work permit is no longer required.
The EEA agreement secures nationals of the EU and EFTA countries freedom of movement and establishment throughout the area, and a work permit is no longer required.
Marriage to an EEA national
European Union law grants EEA nationals a right to live and work in the United Kingdom. This is called a right of free movement; as a result, their non-EEA dependants have an automatic right to gain entry into the UK.
Non EEA family members must obtain an EEA family permit before travelling to the UK if they are coming to live permanently with the EEA national. However if the marriage takes place in the UK then it is possible for the application to be lodged in the UK.
The EEA national needs to apply for a residence permit, which is normally granted for five years. Permanent residency is granted after completing five years.
Non EEA family members must obtain an EEA family permit before travelling to the UK if they are coming to live permanently with the EEA national. However if the marriage takes place in the UK then it is possible for the application to be lodged in the UK.
The EEA national needs to apply for a residence permit, which is normally granted for five years. Permanent residency is granted after completing five years.
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but the point can i work there...is there any company..(i know im hoping for much..but it dosent hurt)...that will take me on and give me the time or the money to convert ...there has to be something i can do..i dont even mind instructing...
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Sorry... But I don't think its a good idea asking on a Ryanair topic if they would be willing to invest into a pilot career.
I think you would have a better chance asking a street begger for the time and money!
I think you would have a better chance asking a street begger for the time and money!
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hmmmm....hoping still maybe a beggar has some hidden treasure and decides to invest in me..haha.....but on a more serious note im still hoping for a solution and thanks for all ur help...highly highly appreciated!
de minimus non curat lex
Can you fly for Ryanair based on a FAA licence ?
Do the IAA "convert" it to an Irish licence, or is the JAA [EU] ATPL written exams required for the fATPL ~ CPL/IR , or ATPL issue
Do the IAA "convert" it to an Irish licence, or is the JAA [EU] ATPL written exams required for the fATPL ~ CPL/IR , or ATPL issue
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is the IAA convert easier?...nd the problem with conversion that its just not the written exams..its that and the checks and the sim and the MCC license and all that jazz....any company hiring low+timers ? and gicing work permits or something on the FAA?or is it possible for me to instruct?
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This thread is a serious matter concerning the possible recruitment of experienced pilots being offered employment by Ryanair.
Consequently I have moved it here rather than leave it in a Wannabee forum where thread drift could detract from the original discussions.
HWB
Consequently I have moved it here rather than leave it in a Wannabee forum where thread drift could detract from the original discussions.
HWB
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I have heard US accents on RYR callsigns. I'd heard that RYR had recruited a few a couple of years ago. How did they solve the EU work permit issue? They would be hard pushed to show that there was a shortage of suitable EU pilots and without employing non-EU nationals they would suffer ecconomically.
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Incidentally, you can live really anywhere you like and can use Ryanair flights as a free bus service to get to/from work. You only need to show your pass to the ramp agent or captain.
live 2 fly 2 live
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As someone mentioned RYR have a comfortable relationship with the regulator. I wouldnt see licencing as a problem in that case...if you get my drift.
There is a German imposter looking for a job as soon as he is released. Im sure RYR can arrange a validation or something for him as well.
There is a German imposter looking for a job as soon as he is released. Im sure RYR can arrange a validation or something for him as well.
