@latetonite:

Care to elaborate?

Back on topic, the RYR website seems not to work: am I the only one having this problem?

Will explain you. You obviously do not have an idea what captaincy really means.

Callsign Kilo,

Given the nationality of the individual, I am guessing his friend was perhaps planning on paying his taxes at home, rather than Ireland, home being one of the more expensive European countries tax-wise .

The "nice roster" is only that, if you're at the base of your choice, ALL the time. For the many that aren't, 5/4 quickly turns into 6/3 or even 7/2 in some cases. FATIGUE CENTRAL my friends! FR do not roster any flight duty time for passive flights for Pilots (contractors) moving between their many bases.

I remember some poor fellow commuting to Kaunas (5/3 roster) from Sweden, via Stansted and Palma de Majorca!!

:mad:

Just my humble opinion, and personal experience too.

Hello guys,

My opinion, being in that profile of high experience pilot which Ryanair is looking for is this:

- Tempting with flying a modern 737 and possibly upgrading (just words);
- Type of contract is something that you don't have a choice. If you are a freelance in other airline your are able to pay taxes in your own country. And this ruling out any possible contract directly with Ryanair.
- All my coleagues in Ryanair told me that you are not able to know your base when you receive a call you after passing all the assesment. And even though when they tell you which base are you going to is not one of the three you requested during your interview.
- You have to pay for absolutelly everything. To pay for the type rating is something which sounds normal for young guys nowadays (it should not be), but paying for the uniforms, meal and even water is totally crazy.
- I also want to mention the training. During line training at your own expenses you have to move from one base to another.

I don't know how many candidates they will get but in my opinion they must change many things to became a real option for me and some of my friends flying around who might be interested in such an offer.

Good luck for them. If they are really "desperate" as some else said here is only Ryanair policy's fault.

Pay for water??

What a load of :mad:. Who makes this stuff up.

16 years in FR never paid for water yet! Water dispensers in crew room for your info.

5 on 4 off. Cant beat it.

Reasonable money.

Say Mach Number.

I think the guy was saying you pay for water on board.

As it happens, I'm interested too, with no axe to grind honestly.

"Water dispensers in the crew room" "5 on 4 off, can't beat it"???

Don't make me laugh....

I work 14 on 14 off. During the 14 on I will fly 8 x 2 sector days

Before each flight I have complimentary 3 course buffet lunch, breakfast or dinner.

On board, choice of drinks plus good quality crew food.

Very little expense during the 14 on plus all accommodation paid.

A net salary of 9000 GBP I.e. after tax paid and NI.

For sure, you can beat the deal I have.

If you have worked for Ryanair 16 years then you probably have the base you want and have a salary agreed in the "good old days".... Therefore you have a deal that works for you...... Telling guys that may join now that you can't beat it is either tongue In cheek or misinformation.

And the moral of the story here is one man's paradise is another man's nightmare. Whether it be Ryanair, BA or an operator in China.

Money isn't everything and neither are buffet meals. Equally, if you don't think you can stomach a remote Mediterranean, Eastern or African outpost on a Storm contract flying up to six sectors a day with some of the most rigorous SOPs in the industry; then don't apply to FR. Stay on the turboprop or barbie jet. An aeroplane is an aeroplane at the end of the day.

But if you do fancy the idea and probably see a quickish command at the end of the horizon then come along. Your experience would be a welcome addition.

The water dispenser in the Stansted crew room is a hive of germs and bacteria. It is not fresh mineral water, it is plumbed into the cold water pipe and merely chilled. You only have to take at the lipstick ladened plastic white tap, to know that hundreds of cabin crew and pilots place their used own plastic bottles up to this tap to refill. I used it once and got sick, and thereafter always bought two bottles of mineral water at a cost of £1.60 per day, from the vending machine conveniently placed just outside the crewroom, probably owned by O'Leary!

With passengers and crew, Ryanair will always do the least amount possible, when they are legally obliged to provide food and drink.

They are greedy, inhumane scumbags :mad:

Just my humble opinion of course! :ok:

All of the above being said, there are PLENTY of people who have been flying for Eastern, Aer Arrann etc for far too long whilst the 200h zero-to-hero folks go straight to the RHS of one of MOL's or Stelios's jets. Therefore, there will be no shortage of applicants.

So, despite many years of experience in the industry, these experienced pilots will happily accept lower T&Cs just to progress in their careers.

I first highlighted this to BALPA in 2007, asking the question about what they intend to do with the relentless march of CTC putting inexperienced people into the RHS. They did not see it as relevant. But then again, why would they? They are only there to protect those people who are already in the industry, and not to protect the T&Cs within the industry in the years to come.

I'm not normally someone who says, "told you so", but on this occasion... I believe I have mentioned this before.

Ryanair just needs to be seen for what it has set itself up as, a flight school. You get in, Get your 500 hours command and you get yourself onto the seniority list of an Airline.

Competition for available Captains is becoming truly global and that is what Ryanair clearly don't recognize. Over the next 5 years it will become even more global.

My current airline wants 500 Captains over the next 3 to 5 years, half or more of these will come from Europe and we are just one small cog in the big picture of Chinese aviation. We will give almost any contract that will attract Pilots away from Ryanair or other European LCC's.Ryanair would be a target because of the abundance of young Captains that won't fail the Chinese medical.

Most people do not want to work in the Sandpit, let alone China!

£9,000 net per month and a 3 course meal each day in China? For a 737 skipper? That's not the figures I've been seeing on job adverts, but even if that is the going rate, there's a reason they pay those sums. And it's not because 'you're worth it'. It's compensation for all the downsides!

So what's reasonable remuneration back in Europe for flying a medium jet for a low-cost operator where the average ticket costs €50?

What remuneration do you see in adverts for jobs in China? I think my remuneration is at the bottom end but I try to maximize my time at home, my contract is 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off with a space available business seat home for the 2 weeks off. So far I have had business each time.

Salaries in Europe should be negotiated by collective bargaining and should reflect experience and be sufficient to retain quality experienced Captains. You asked what I thought, that is my view.

I have of course worked in both China and Europe and currently China is clearly the better place to work, with the proviso that you have only very minor medical issues.

If I was longhaul, based in London, I would probably be at home less than short haul on a good commuting contract in China.

@kungfu panda:

Any chance to know witch airline in shenzen?

I am not currently shenzhen based, I am based in the capital, but I don't want to say more than that, sorry.

DEP at Ryanair
 

Any idea of the t's&c's surrounding this contract? Perhaps something that might not only attract experience but retain it?

Has ra missed the trick the orange outfit didn't? Dare I say this, become a "career airline" with reasonable terms once you progress.

Just my thoughts.

And hell "might" freeze over . . . . . .

In a previous era Ryanair did what was required to keep people sweet (and no more )

When I joined in 2002 I remember being told by DD "we rule by greed & fear". . . . . . "if we want something we will pay you enough to get it" . . . " if not, well. . "

Regretably with the passage of time they forgot the 1st part of the deal.

I have doubts the new "touchy feely" customer care will be extended to the staff, but, stranger things happen in life I guess.

Re touchy feely - no sign of it yet, and plenty of guys still being moved away from home.

Kungfu panda,

Your welcome to that deal.

Ryanair is not perfect but that deal wouldnt tempt out my armchair never mind the UK.........

Wow, you're a grouch not surprising with polluted water and permanent fatigue:E

On a serious note though, yes this will not suit everyone, but for some....it may be the only option for now to move onto a better type than they are currently on.

Does anyone actually have any info on whether the TR will be self funded (I expect it will be, they could however, although I expect it will never happen is pay for the TR and BOND people so that they have some control over retention), what the actual contract and pay for experienced FO's (not the 23000 Euro or whatever it states in PPJN as year 1 Salary) and one of the main reasons I would suggest experienced Jet FOs on other jet types will consider this opportunity, is the time to command on the 73 (Myself included).

I believe the rating is bonded, but I'm not sure what the bond will be. I can't see the timeframe being less than five years. There were a few non-rated DECs recently bonded (as in the last year or two). Call Storm, they'll know the score. Or not.

Not sure what you mean Kungfu.

Cant remember last time had a sick day and certainly not from 'polluted' water.

On day one of 4 days off. Finished on a nice short early an starting on a latish late so in effect really 5 days off.

Relaxed and not in the slightest fatigued.

Sorry dont mean to rain on your bbq but quite like 5 on 4 off and the water!

Ps as I said Ryanair is not perfect but if you got the 5 on 4 off roster and the base you want. No night stops, own bed every night and no crappy night flights (which I have done previously) its alright. Earliest start about 5 ish and last finish midnight. From my previous experience that gentlemans hours in my book.

Trust me on this: don't drink that water.
Even if it costs a fiver a day in bottled water, don't go anywhere near those machines.

Say mach number- You're clearly happy, but many are not. Most don't leave Monarch, BA, Thomson or even easy jet..... but a lot are leaving Ryanair....3 are in my company in China and they are bitter about their experience at Ryanair.

Your situation of Ryanair bliss seems unusual so please excuse my scepticism.

Anyway no food and water will keep you healthy for the Chinese medical, I'm sure your colleagues here will welcome you.

Time to command may alter significantly. It has historically been short due to the expansion rate, and more recently due to resignations, but the former has dramatically slowed and if they do decide to do something to reduce the exodus, then command times will go up considerably.

Been in Ryanair long enough to know, also in Say Mach Number's base. And yes it 'can' be ok, if you are lucky and it suits your personal situation. But for most it doesnt. Such large number of people dont leave for nothing.
The 5/4 roster is not available for all bases and what is most important, even in Say Mach number's happy situation, what guarantees or protects you from not losing all these things you like or enjoy and seeing, for example, a flexible roster in the summer and unpaid leave in the winter? All contracts are such that Ryanair can change things as they like, when they like. And I dont believe they have proven to be that trustworthy or generous since they appreciate or like their pilot workforce so much. ;) Some people forget to bother about their future and dont see on what thin wire their situation is hanging as they are gloating too much on their current situation or money they currently make.

One has to be careful with the water yes, the crewroom water taps will not do you any good, but might still be better than the water from the taps on board.

Sure I can understand some are attracted by the shiny lights of a 737 type rating and swift command, but do realize that its most likely you will find yourself at the other end of the scale then where Say Mach Number is sitting.

Ofcourse this is all just my humble opinion.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1992, the employer has a responsibility to provide an adequate supply of drinking water. However, the employer must ensure that the facilities provided are done so safely and are maintained correctly to avoid any risk to the employees.

If those water machines are unhygienic, then Ryanair are in breach of current legislation and are breaking the law.

I contacted the HSE last year regarding this. They didn't care.

Also contacted the IAA, guess what, not their problem, even when I citied the regulations about the employers responsibilities as well as the flight crews responsibilities of maintaining nutrition and hydration. I left. No amount of money in the world would get me back to them.

Career airline..

About those water machines. Haha providing nutrition by law, haha.
Those watermachines are disgusting if they even exist. Even if it is a law i'm sure Ryanair don't give a damn as usual.
It also states in the OM-A airport stby should have the possibility to rest in a quiet and comfortable place. Have you ever seen that in any base?
No gentlemen, there is better options out there. And those great base oppurtunities they are talking about is something you can forget about, you will be floating all over Europe and RYR will never ever give a damn about your preference for a base.

Yeah our OM-A says the same (not FR) but the lights are full brightness all of the time and there's a massive vending machine which if it isn't spitting out over priced sugar/salt making a hell of a racket, it's refrigeration system kicks in with a drone that goes right through you. There are comfy sofas though, with management making an appearance to make sure that nobody is asleep.

Lack of a rest area is the least of the problems for standby crew...

The fact that airport standby crew (contractors) are totally unpaid for their duty is perhaps more of an issue.

Maybe a change is around the (coffin)corner. More people has been assigned summer vacation this year. The still :mad: contracts are at least going towards being legal. Just before I left some people started to get their preferred bases.
If the case is that you can get the rating, It's not a bad job if you don't mind to spend a few years away from home!

My humble thoughts

I doubt there's ever a shortage of cadets... But they definately face a shortage of experienced FO's ready for command upgrade, which is the more likely driver for this recruitment campaign.

Tread carefully my friends... And if you must go in... do so with your eyes wide open! :eek:

Just my humble opinion of course :ok:

Enough cadets for sure !
Only once they reach 1500 hours many try to escape as quickly as they can.
Must be reason for it... Think well before you join the evil empire :E
Captains FR contract will reach soon the pay of the Brookfield fo's!

Just my opinion...

Can anyone give an updated figure for a net Cpt. salary?


Thank you.

4800 nett in a good month I was told by a current Ryanair capt based in Germany:yuk: