Ryanair Standbys
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: EDI
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My gripe isn't with the money side, I've got a good car, city centre flat and budget well. I was sold by the idea of high hours, hours badly needed to get the opportunity to apply for command before the current cutoff at the end of 2012.
Lisline tells me I've done 535 actual hours this flying year, expecting 550 by the end of the month.
I did 735 hours last year so would seem that I need to average around 62 hours for the last 3 months to make that. Chances of achieving it......slim.
Have seen plenty of new fo's recently, some transferred from other bases, others were training here and then probably for ease, just stayed here.
One lad transferred from Madrid and was told by Big D in Stansted that he can move but Edinburgh is already over crewed.
Don't see the sense in that when guys are doing out of base in Madrid!
I'm led to believe RYR work on 5.2 crews per aircraft so that should see us with 31 fo's plus any extra training, we are actually on around 38!
Don't get me wrong, I fully understand how lucky I am to be UK based, and I only got it because the base was expanding, but I see no point in saturating the base when no expansion is occurring.
Lisline tells me I've done 535 actual hours this flying year, expecting 550 by the end of the month.
I did 735 hours last year so would seem that I need to average around 62 hours for the last 3 months to make that. Chances of achieving it......slim.
Have seen plenty of new fo's recently, some transferred from other bases, others were training here and then probably for ease, just stayed here.
One lad transferred from Madrid and was told by Big D in Stansted that he can move but Edinburgh is already over crewed.
Don't see the sense in that when guys are doing out of base in Madrid!
I'm led to believe RYR work on 5.2 crews per aircraft so that should see us with 31 fo's plus any extra training, we are actually on around 38!
Don't get me wrong, I fully understand how lucky I am to be UK based, and I only got it because the base was expanding, but I see no point in saturating the base when no expansion is occurring.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: My house
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Anyone get the feeling they are recruiting in excess deliberately to make sure that if guys do leave they have enough spare. Also to make money on the type rating etc.
I think I will apply for December off next year to keep the worst months as holiday.
I think I will apply for December off next year to keep the worst months as holiday.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Where the company needs me not where I want to be!
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Studi
Nearly right, medicals and car park are not deducted by the company and made a profit on as we do them ourselfs, I use my own AME and pay him directly,
as for car parking, dont need one based here.
Nearly right, medicals and car park are not deducted by the company and made a profit on as we do them ourselfs, I use my own AME and pay him directly,
as for car parking, dont need one based here.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: 20 ADD 10 CPT
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Hi all,
My 2 cents worth.
I am an f/o at a smallish base, 6 a/c, and for me the issue is not the usual reduction over the winter months, which is understandable, but the way Fr use cost cutting at our expense.
In the Autumn they announced a 30% reduction in the winter schedule (to reduce costs) compared to last year, so I guess 30% less cash for us on top of that 5 new cadets arrived in the Autumn. This has meant a drastic reduction in flight for the based f/o's, most f/o's here are doing no more that 30hours, last month I had all of 4 flying days. This is simply not acceptable, I have been with the company for almost 4 years, without a pay rise (excluding hourly incremental increases as per contract), while the company has been making big mulas.
My contract also states 4 sbys per 28 days, this is almost never honoured.
I did 680 hours last year, and it looks like it will be less this year due to Fr's cost cutting. I pay my taxes and have a family with 2 kids to support, so the lack of income is a serious issue.
So all this talk about bumper summers and lean winters is all well and good, but when the company can reduce your livelihood at a whim of management, the buck stops there.
I for one am not interested in working here any more, I have sent out applications and hope for a positive outcome. As appealing as the command upgrade might be, I have had enough of this company's greed and disregard for its employees, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one.
The bottom line is they don't look after us, and hence don't deserve our services, take them elsewhere.
Lets all be honest, a company that has 3 billion+ in the bank and decides 2 years ago to cut off its contribution to staff xmas party's..... something's not right upstairs.
rant over
all the best
Goose
My 2 cents worth.
I am an f/o at a smallish base, 6 a/c, and for me the issue is not the usual reduction over the winter months, which is understandable, but the way Fr use cost cutting at our expense.
In the Autumn they announced a 30% reduction in the winter schedule (to reduce costs) compared to last year, so I guess 30% less cash for us on top of that 5 new cadets arrived in the Autumn. This has meant a drastic reduction in flight for the based f/o's, most f/o's here are doing no more that 30hours, last month I had all of 4 flying days. This is simply not acceptable, I have been with the company for almost 4 years, without a pay rise (excluding hourly incremental increases as per contract), while the company has been making big mulas.
My contract also states 4 sbys per 28 days, this is almost never honoured.
I did 680 hours last year, and it looks like it will be less this year due to Fr's cost cutting. I pay my taxes and have a family with 2 kids to support, so the lack of income is a serious issue.
So all this talk about bumper summers and lean winters is all well and good, but when the company can reduce your livelihood at a whim of management, the buck stops there.
I for one am not interested in working here any more, I have sent out applications and hope for a positive outcome. As appealing as the command upgrade might be, I have had enough of this company's greed and disregard for its employees, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one.
The bottom line is they don't look after us, and hence don't deserve our services, take them elsewhere.
Lets all be honest, a company that has 3 billion+ in the bank and decides 2 years ago to cut off its contribution to staff xmas party's..... something's not right upstairs.
rant over
all the best
Goose
Last edited by Sky Goose; 16th Dec 2010 at 07:14.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Here
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"My contract also states 4 sbys per 28 days, this is almost never honoured."
SkyGoose, read again, it is not exactly in the contract, it is Guidelines !! With a wording stating it is then not guaranteed...
Like you, I am more and more upset with the company, my point is that 2 years ago you could find people happy to work here who could help you see the bright side. Today, I do not find anybody happy here anymore so we are 2 bitching guys in the flightdeck almost everyday...
SkyGoose, read again, it is not exactly in the contract, it is Guidelines !! With a wording stating it is then not guaranteed...
Like you, I am more and more upset with the company, my point is that 2 years ago you could find people happy to work here who could help you see the bright side. Today, I do not find anybody happy here anymore so we are 2 bitching guys in the flightdeck almost everyday...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Age: 78
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Please guys , Don't feel sorry for me. Nov/ Dec = 25 hours per month, over 4/5 days. the rest standby. absolutely brilliant. feet up, beer in one hand. time to live. I get depresseed thinking of the summer season
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: A place where something is or could be located; a site.
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Well were all glad that you can afford to think like that. I think it's fair to say that this thread is not really aimed at those in your situation.
EK
EK
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Los Angeles
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I agree with pilot999. Happy days. Its great not to have to go fly around in this crap weather.
And EK4457, first officers always complain about not flying enough regardless of the airline. I complained myself. All the FO's at my base also complain about lean winters, but it still doesnt stop them from buying fancy new cars. Mmm, theres always something about FO's and cars.
And EK4457, first officers always complain about not flying enough regardless of the airline. I complained myself. All the FO's at my base also complain about lean winters, but it still doesnt stop them from buying fancy new cars. Mmm, theres always something about FO's and cars.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
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I understand why they dont want you flying for someone else, but your contract surely doesnt state that you cannot engage in ANY other work outside of RYR! Does it? 
As your hours seem to be continuously reducing, you will presumably reach a point where you can no longer pay the winter bills. So its not just OAP grans wrapped in an auld tartan shaul, in front of the fire with only 'one bar' .... its OAT grads too).
So I presume you would either have to find part time work when on standby (if your contract allows) or leave RYR altogether?
The shortage of other flying jobs means that RYR hold all the aces (
pun intended)
As your hours seem to be continuously reducing, you will presumably reach a point where you can no longer pay the winter bills. So its not just OAP grans wrapped in an auld tartan shaul, in front of the fire with only 'one bar' .... its OAT grads too).
So I presume you would either have to find part time work when on standby (if your contract allows) or leave RYR altogether?
The shortage of other flying jobs means that RYR hold all the aces (
pun intended)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
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Having previously done the 8oo hours routine upto the end of December. Winter at 25 hours a month is far better.sector pay drops off, but I allow or budget for this over a year.
Also the 737 goes faster than those cars as well, handling on corners is a bit iffy. and certainly wont handle the Birchanger round about as you try to escape from the airport. I'm more of a White van driver myself.
Also the 737 goes faster than those cars as well, handling on corners is a bit iffy. and certainly wont handle the Birchanger round about as you try to escape from the airport. I'm more of a White van driver myself.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere between Avant and Vaton.....usually
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Sitting in front of the fire with one bar on is a bit extreme. Let's keep it sensible, and not exaggerate.
Most FOs I know on the Brookfield contract do a mimimum of 40 to 50 hours hours in the winter season. With 50 hours that would result in a pay rate for an FO on the higest rate at Brookfield(1500 hours plus) of about 4000 euros before tax. On the starting Brookfield rate after completion of line training it would equate to about 2750 euros before tax.
The problem is a lot of guys live like premiership footballers in the summer and then start whinging in the winter. There are exceptions where guys and girls do get less hours than stated but from my experience, it is rare.
Most FOs I know on the Brookfield contract do a mimimum of 40 to 50 hours hours in the winter season. With 50 hours that would result in a pay rate for an FO on the higest rate at Brookfield(1500 hours plus) of about 4000 euros before tax. On the starting Brookfield rate after completion of line training it would equate to about 2750 euros before tax.
The problem is a lot of guys live like premiership footballers in the summer and then start whinging in the winter. There are exceptions where guys and girls do get less hours than stated but from my experience, it is rare.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: 20 ADD 10 CPT
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go around, pilot999 and lax,
My point is that the income can be reduced, as per my case, to around 30 hours or less, at the whim of rostering, or an Icelandic volcano.
I dont have fancy cars or live like a fotballer in the summer, and still need around 50 hours in the winter to live an average 'pilots' lifestyle. If your happy with no pay increase in 4 years, while the boss has more than he can spend, good for you.
I myself feel its time to move on.
Still like the equipment and colleagues but the other stuff is seriously sullying my experience...
My point is that the income can be reduced, as per my case, to around 30 hours or less, at the whim of rostering, or an Icelandic volcano.
I dont have fancy cars or live like a fotballer in the summer, and still need around 50 hours in the winter to live an average 'pilots' lifestyle. If your happy with no pay increase in 4 years, while the boss has more than he can spend, good for you.
I myself feel its time to move on.
Still like the equipment and colleagues but the other stuff is seriously sullying my experience...
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England
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your a CUN*! - Yes, I am.
your the kind of CUN* that believes he was born to fly - No, but I never believed that I had to pay for it and so far I haven't.
I'll bet you believe you could teach birds to fly - It's not difficult at all. You just kick them up the arse and they start flapping. Bit like you really.
Do Ryanair allow kids with ASBO's to fly for them?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: london
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Well, after optimistically joining Ryanair last year I am now looking for work elsewhere. Over the past 3 months I have averaged less than 30 hours per month as a Captain. To me this is completely unacceptable. I know you should look at this as an average over a one year period, but I was told to expect to fly 850 hours per year. I will fall way short of this figure. I have always maintained Ryanair could be a great company, but when you start messing with the only two thing that really keep Captains working there, money and roster, people will start to walk. I have 10 close friends in Ryanair, all Captains, everyone of them is now looking for work elsewhere. Does Ryanair management know something we don't, do they have a secret ace up there sleeve? I am completely perplexed as to where they are going to get Captains from next year. I have heard from reliable sources that they are already short for summer 2011.
Its a shame really. Good aircraft, good training department, good routes, terrible money!
Its a shame really. Good aircraft, good training department, good routes, terrible money!
Bob where are you from and where are you based?
Perhaps I don't need to know that, but if you're based at home, they know this and, being english like myself based in spain since I joined two years ago, I've done 1700 hrs on type so far. This does average 850 a year, but I'm not at home either.
Most people I know do less hours when they're based in the UK or IRE, and it seems the majority of Brits and Irish want to be based at home.
Perhaps I don't need to know that, but if you're based at home, they know this and, being english like myself based in spain since I joined two years ago, I've done 1700 hrs on type so far. This does average 850 a year, but I'm not at home either.
Most people I know do less hours when they're based in the UK or IRE, and it seems the majority of Brits and Irish want to be based at home.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: at the whim of people I've never met
Age: 46
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AIMINGHIGH123 - did it cost you 65-100k in training before you could do your job? No? Well that's why you don't get paid the same.
It's all risk-reward.
Once you have outlayed a large amount of money, you expect to be able to earn it back within a reasonable time-scale.
It's all risk-reward.
Once you have outlayed a large amount of money, you expect to be able to earn it back within a reasonable time-scale.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Don't forget to add in circa €30k if you want to get a job at Ryanair (and there are not many alternatives at the moment for fresh grads)
Join Date: Jan 2003
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hear hear aiminghigh, i agree with you
yes it will cost 30000 grand for a type rating my understanding thats its tax deductable . a benefit of forming a company with brookfield , also are these companies formed in ireland , correct me if i am wrong is the tax rate 13 percent and your not paying the higher rates .
one of previous posters expects to be treated as paye with benefits of self employed company director in these brookfield companies
yes it will cost 30000 grand for a type rating my understanding thats its tax deductable . a benefit of forming a company with brookfield , also are these companies formed in ireland , correct me if i am wrong is the tax rate 13 percent and your not paying the higher rates .
one of previous posters expects to be treated as paye with benefits of self employed company director in these brookfield companies