Bokkenrijder,

you talk about FR quoting my words 'cause you don't really know FR, then you talk about EK quoting what they say in the middle east forum 'cause again you don't have any first hand info.
You said you now work in a EU legacy carrier coming from Easyjet, you surely joined as an F/O at the bottom of the seniority with many years before upgrade awaiting you.

Well I happen to know personally a few guys in EK who joined about 4/5 years ago and all apart from 1 are Captains now; none of them says it's the best job on earth but they all agree that it's far better than FR, and 2 of them are former FR pilots.
The other day I was jumpseating and the guy up front was a DEC coming from a EU legacy carrier that went bust, he said quite a few of his former colleagues went to EK even accepting a right hand seat and that they are all quite happy.
He had also applied but didn't pass the psycho tests:E:E

You are funny, my antelope-riding friend. You're like the media who make up a story and then quote their own allegations as evidence that the story has credence. It's already been shown that there is little or no truth in the rumour of a 'mass exodus'...

As for life in FR, in the short time I've been with the company I've met plenty of pilots who have been there for 10+ years. That doesn't prove anything. For some people, the old saying 'better the devil you know' is less a metaphor and more an uncomfortable reality. That said, you can earn a decent living, flying interesting routes, with FR. I really don't see the issue with 4 sector days? The rest of the world works 8 hour days. It certainly doesn't bother me.

If you see flying as a well paid sinecure and not a job, I cannot relate to your point of view. For some people a job with EK in the Middle East might be an attractive option. It sounds like it's not all bad news.

Fresh off the press, everyone is leaving ryanair for EK and the operation is shutting down!

Honestly, some of the garbage you lot argue about on here is just insane, a LOT of airlines are losing pilots to EK, its always been the case,its just more so now that they lowered their minimum entry requirements... you will get FR pilots complaining about FR, you will get EK pilots complaining about EK, human beings always complain :ok:

They don't seem to believe you old chap, or have just quite simple had enough of there treatment at the hands of cost cutting king for the resignations are beginning to climb. And word has it that there is now going to be a "reasons to stay at ryanair" roadshow, with free cups of coffee etc being used to entice people to stay. :cool: that-ort-a do it>:ugh:

Consider this: european FR pilot working 900hrs a year and making as a captain what an F/O makes in EK, without pension, without loss of licence,without healthcare, based 2/3 hours flight time away from home (maybe in an eastern european Baltic base or at the far south bottom of Europe),without tickets for his family, having to pay for uniform/ID/medicals/SIMS/hotels, forced to accept paycuts in case he gets the base of choice, forced to accept paycuts in case he upgrades to the left seat and other very civilized and democratic practices...



and some people are proud of that....:yuk:

low cost .... :D:

EK pilots also work hard, max hours, max duties, minimum rest. Same !!!! I would say.

Hey superced - the voice of understanding, balanced opinion and reason!

Your argument is EXACTLY the way it happens. EXACTLY :ugh:

Didn't you once apply to EasyJet?

I've been working for easyJet for the last two years....

Lucky them

yes I think so.....:ugh:

doh :O

CK, that was a rubbish reply

As is so often the case, the first casualty of war is truth. All discussions about Ryanair are so emotive, not least because some people have no idea of how to conduct themselves in a debate. I am particularly entertained by 'go around flaps 15' who has invited all those with 'real' knowledge of Ryanair to tell him his monthly pay, roster, inside leg measurement etc. Presumably his fellow contributors are not clairvoyant and therefore, in common with 99% of his colleagues who actually work at Ryanair, do not have ready access to that information either.

As a long-term easyJet pilot with more than a passing interest in Ryanair, I think that many people, both in and out of the much-derided Irish emporium, have missed the point in this discussion. The key issue for both easyJet and Ryanair piots is that, due to their sheer size, it is no longer possible for all the disaffected to leave and go elsewhere. Both companies employ around 2000 pilots (no doubt others will grace us with more precise figures) and it is just not possible for that many pilots to go elsewhere. Therefore it is vital that pilots within both companies decide to fight for their futures where they are, rather than dream their lives away into Emirates or Etihad. The only credible way to do that is with union backing. Ryanair pilots decided to go it alone without BALPA - many are mightily proud they did so. Therefore they must face the inevitable consequences of that choice, but at easyJet we are still on the field of battle despite our widely-publicised operational issues. As one happily committed to living out his professional career in the low-cost sector, I intend to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the success of companies such as my own is shared by all rather than just a few. The reality for many low-cost pilots is that this is where they too will live out their professional careers. They would be well-advised to join a union and fight for their futures where they are, rather than just fight for a way out the door.

Glad you found it amusing Norman. Like most of your posts and indeed your beloved union, about as useful as an ashtry on a motorbike.

Never agreed with much you had to say to be honest.


As always though in this beautiful world one of the most basic rights is the right to an opinion.

And I will afford you the respect you deserve for voicing your opinion. And on some of the points you made towards the end of your previous post all I have to say is this.


If only everything was that simple Norman.

At least he can spell ......

So can I. I saw the error in my ways.

I saw the error in my ways;

Or perhaps;

I saw the error of my ways?

But only 1 sector to prepare and fly which I think would make a huge difference.

I don't know, six sectors go pretty quickly! There's nothing quite like a 250/25 gusting 35 at somewhere like Leeds to envigorate the senses!! You can keep your DXB-LAX ultra long haul operations!!! :E However I wish all my ex colleagues well in their pursuit of Arabian happiness. Best of luck.

Ek is the better job for sure.
The question you have to ask yourself is, will your wife be happy in Dubai. It's allright for us because we would get out of that place on a regular bases.
For those who are single it's an easy choice. :ok:

"For those who are single it's an easy choice."

But be careful, so much as smile at a bit of skirt and its the clink for you both ! Unless you're married to the forementioned skirt.