Ryanair Changing Their Ways?

Sunnyisland

As a frequent flyer,I have not a bad word to say about them, like others have said do what they say and there no problems.

DeanAustin

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's a starting company for many commercial pilots, they're worked to the limit of legal hours and payed poorly in comparison to the rest of the industry, a second Officer will struggle to break 30k per annum. Consider that if you want to do this for a living, you could easily sink 50k into training alone.

RA pilots also find it hard to get hired on with a reputable airline when they go to move, nobody wants them. If you stick it out and put up with the bull a Captain can make 70k plus a year in RA. Decent but still below the money they could make with a proper airline and with a much lighter work schedule.

Do you know this for a fact or are you just speculating or relying on the word of a friend of a friend? Not being funny because I know little or nothing about it.

It's shocking if true. I earn more than that and, to be honest, I do close to f**k all to earn it and have a lot less responsibility.

Sunnyisland

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's a starting company for many commercial pilots, they're worked to the limit of legal hours and payed poorly in comparison to the rest of the industry, a second Officer will struggle to break 30k per annum. Consider that if you want to do this for a living, you could easily sink 50k into training alone.

RA pilots also find it hard to get hired on with a reputable airline when they go to move, nobody wants them. If you stick it out and put up with the bull a Captain can make 70k plus a year in RA. Decent but still below the money they could make with a proper airline and with a much lighter work schedule.

Why is this, Are Ryanair planes substandard ? Surely all pilots have to do the same training no matter what airline they fly with ?

prettygurrly

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's a starting company for many commercial pilots, they're worked to the limit of legal hours and payed poorly in comparison to the rest of the industry, a second Officer will struggle to break 30k per annum. Consider that if you want to do this for a living, you could easily sink 50k into training alone.

RA pilots also find it hard to get hired on with a reputable airline when they go to move, nobody wants them. If you stick it out and put up with the bull a Captain can make 70k plus a year in RA. Decent but still below the money they could make with a proper airline and with a much lighter work schedule.

Sounds like hearsay to me...yes it may be a starting out airline but I find it hard to believe that after completing x number of flying hours and having a perfect safety record would preclude anyone from getting a job anywhere else...in fact I know of one ex Ryanair pilot working for AerLingus...are you saying that AerLingus employ substandard pilots too?

YellowFeather

I know people have had issues with Ryanair, but the amount of complaining about them seems disproportionate. People complain about being charged for oversized baggage - check your fcuking baggage people! It's a cheap flight with restrictions. It's your responsibility to comply with those restrictions. Now, I'm a crap packer, and I've been lucky in that I've gotten away with having waaaaay too much. If I had been caught, I wouldn't have exactly been delighted to pay the extra charge. But it would have been MY fault!

Even these new changes - ahhh, what is Ryanair up to now - it must be something bad. I'm sure Ryanair realises that some folks won't fly with them 'cause of their reputation, so they're making changes to alleviate that somewhat. Are they doing it for profit? Of course! Businesses don't do things for you because they think you're a nice person.

I managed to get away five times last year, and four of those holidays were with Ryanair - I got some amazing prices during their sales. I never had a single problem (even though I had to wear most of my luggage onto their flights - but that's 'cause I'm hopeless :P).

I missed a returning flight at one stage and, whilst I did have to pay to get home, it wasn't extortionate and the staff were very helpful and didn't even laugh at me when I launched to the service desk with my bag bursting open and jacket half on and top inside out as it dawned on me that I had put the return flight in my phone on GMT (- 1 hour) and was late for even that! In fairness - I would have laughed at me.

They are what they are, and they get you places! If you don't like them - don't fly with them!

DEFTLEFTHAND

realies wrote: »

Why is this, Are Ryanair planes substandard ? Surely all pilots have to do the same training no matter what airline they fly with ?

No they're not in anyway substandard, you won't get to be a commercial pilot unless you have the flight time and qualifications etc, but they're treated poorly by the company, they take advantage of guys trying to break into the industry, pay them peanuts and work them to the bone.

The culture Ryanair and Easyjet impose on their staff is looked down upon in the big carriers. There's certain practices when pilots are on the limit of legal hours that they don't want in their pilots picking up.

Annasopra

listermint wrote: »

Yes you get what you pay for. Most flights in the air. More flying hours. More hours on the planes but yet still maintaining a high safety rating...

what about the allegations last year that they are lacksadaisical on safety?

rainbow kirby

I flew Ryanair around 30 times in the last couple of years (long distance relationship), I try and avoid where possible now that we've closed the distance! Their policies bring out the asshole in other passengers, which just makes the flight stressful and frustrating. Their ground staff at Gatwick and Luton are absolutely awful too, little Nazis on a power trip. I would always favour Aer Lingus or BA for flights back home - much more pleasant experience and not *that* much more expensive if booked at the right time.

billie1b

ted1 wrote: »

Any time we've flown with kids they have been great. I wouldn't base the whole airline on one bad staff member

Either that or he's talking through his hole! The bar boxes with the food come from a separate company, they are counted. The milk, spoons, stirrers, napkins, cups, toilet roll and forks are supplied by the ground team in Dublin, they are not counted and never have been, each aircraft is supplied with a bag at the start of the day with everything in it, if they run out they call for extra and are supplied with it

sunflower27

Oranage2 wrote: »

I've flown Ryanair about 10 times and never had a problem. Had a flight delayed once but I arrived at the airport late so a blessing in disguise.

They're cheap and you get what you pay for.

Exactly. People just love having something to moan about.

Get there early, stick to the rules and no problem.

I am flying to the UK in February for under 40e return (including taxes). Nothing to complain about.

And if I can now take a handbag without squashing it into my hand luggage, happy days.

If you don't like the rules, pay extra and fly with someone else. I don't think Mr O'Leary would be too concerned :D:D

YellowFeather

mango salsa wrote: »

what about the allegations last year that they are lacksadaisical on safety?

Were they proven?

Look behind any industry and you'll see lax practice somewhere - I guarantee it. I have never heard anything that would make me worry about flying with Ryanair over any other airline.

Katelyn Narrow Karaoke

Katelyn Narrow Karaoke wrote: »

You sure? That's not what they told me. I know with Easyjet that one of the main reasons people reserve seats is to make sure they sit next to the other people in their party. Couldn't see why Ryanair would be any different.

So you're calling them worse than ever based on an assumption + another airline?

Someone told me yesterday they'd written the wrong name on their ticket or something (well, someone told me about a friend of theirs) and there wasn't the usual massive fee to fix it up, more like 1.50. That sounds like some change

billie1b

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's a starting company for many commercial pilots, they're worked to the limit of legal hours and payed poorly in comparison to the rest of the industry, a second Officer will struggle to break 30k per annum. Consider that if you want to do this for a living, you could easily sink 50k into training alone.

RA pilots also find it hard to get hired on with a reputable airline when they go to move, nobody wants them. If you stick it out and put up with the bull a Captain can make 70k plus a year in RA. Decent but still below the money they could make with a proper airline and with a much lighter work schedule.

Ha ha, couldn't be a more false statement, I know a lot of f/o's and captains that have went on to work BA, Virgin, Aer Lingus, Emirates, Etihad, Air France and so on, they're one of the first considered when recruiting because their hours are generally over 3000 hrs within a few years

Legs.Eleven

I usually fly home with Aer Lingus but Ryanair had much cheaper flights home for Christmas (Aer Lingus are usually cheaper though) and I needed to save a few sheckles. Checked in a bag presuming it would 20kgs only to find out at the airport it was 15kgs (I paid 70 Euro for that return). Was 8 kgs overweight (mostly presents), so ended up paying 80 Euro extra. My own fault tbf as I presumed 20kgs was the standard for a paid, checked in bag. In fairness, they were nice about it.

I was a kilo over going back to Madrid too (parents' shoddy weighing scales in the house) and the ground attendant gave me a chance to Michelin Man it up before I checked the bag in and she was nice about it.


I think not getting shouted at by the staff was the big improvement for me and I'd say it makes life a lot less stressful for them, which is a good thing. I always pitied the poor Ryanair staff who had to bear the brunt of their "No frills" service.


I still won't fly them again if i can help it (although I've eaten my words a few times). Whole experience stresses me out along with not being able to recline my seat and Aer Lingus is usually in and around the same price on my route anyway.

SimonQuinlank

SimonQuinlank wrote: »

Every businesses number one priority is to make money,and Ryanair manage to make shedloads of it by charging reasonable prices and maintaining an excellent safety record.

There are businesses where making money is not the number one priority.

They do have an excellent safety record. IMO their prices are not reasonable when you consider how they treat their customers and staff. I often compare their prices when I'm booking Aer Lingus and they are usually cheaper, but by only maybe 10%-15%.

SV

SV wrote: »

You make that sound like the customer is going to lose out, which just isn't true.
They make small changes with minimal cost to them but massive improvement to customers, More customers want to fly with them.
More profits for them, more comfort for customers.
Everybody wins.

The changes Ryanair have instigated in the airline industry over the past twenty years have effected both airline staff and the customers experience in a very negative way.

Peregrine

WikiHow wrote: »

You would never do if you were on an old propeller Aer Arainn vomit commet.

Half of Aer Arann's current fleet was delivered in 2013.

mango salsa wrote: »

what about the allegations last year that they are lacksadaisical on safety?

Allegations made by idiots who don't know **** about aviation without any proof.
Pilots' concern's were investigated by the IAA and found nothing wrong.

Any sort of safety issues would be disastrous for their passenger numbers and they won't let that happen.

I don't agree with their treatment of staff though.

prettygurrly

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

No they're not in anyway substandard, you won't get to be a commercial pilot unless you have the flight time and qualifications etc, but they're treated poorly by the company, they take advantage of guys trying to break into the industry, pay them peanuts and work them to the bone.

The culture Ryanair and Easyjet impose on their staff is looked down upon in the big carriers. There's certain practices when pilots are on the limit of legal hours that they don't want in their pilots picking up.

Surely work practices differ between companies in all sectors...I still find it difficult to believe that you would be precluded from getting a job with another airline because you have flown with Ryanair...it's actually quite a ludicrous statement IMO - whether companies look down on Ryanair or not the experience you get working is surely worth something

prettygurrly

Deleted User wrote: »

There are businesses where making money is not the number one priority.

They do have an excellent safety record. IMO their prices are not reasonable when you consider how they treat their customers and staff. I often compare their prices when I'm booking Aer Lingus and they are usually cheaper, but by only maybe 10%-15%.

There are very secure laws with regards employment practice, hours of work etc etc, if Ryanair were breaking these laws then they would be taken to court. As of yet, they haven't been. Ok their staff don't get perks, they probably don't have pensions etc etc (I'm not sure what the illtreatment is, all I hear is that they're badly treated) but again, you get this in every sector. Do you stop shopping in particular places because the staff are only on minimum wage in comparison to say someone working in Brown Thomas? I've yet to hear of a concrete statement of illtreatment of staff. Yes they are worked to the bone...but who isn't??

And then treatment of customers, I'm fed up hearing this. The Ryanair business model was always aimed at minimum fuss travellers. Those who get on a plane and get off again. They have provided the gateway for the large number of us to work in the UK and near Europe and still manage to come home often. I know of one lady commuting every second week with Ryanair. If you are planning to bring your children then you aren't choosing the correct service for you...with excessive baggage charges and (as we saw with the incident of the spoon from a previous poster) lack of flexibility, the airline has never been the service that you should bring small children/babies on. If you do then you know what you're in for. Is it Ryanair's fault that you chose a minimum fuss airline for a fussy situation?

billie1b

prettygurrly wrote: »

There are very secure laws with regards employment practice, hours of work etc etc, if Ryanair were breaking these laws then they would be taken to court. As of yet, they haven't been. Ok their staff don't get perks, they probably don't have pensions etc etc (I'm not sure what the illtreatment is, all I hear is that they're badly treated) but again, you get this in every sector. Do you stop shopping in particular places because the staff are only on minimum wage in comparison to say someone working in Brown Thomas? I've yet to hear of a concrete statement of illtreatment of staff. Yes they are worked to the bone...but who isn't??

And then treatment of customers, I'm fed up hearing this. The Ryanair business model was always aimed at minimum fuss travellers. Those who get on a plane and get off again. They have provided the gateway for the large number of us to work in the UK and near Europe and still manage to come home often. I know of one lady commuting every second week with Ryanair. If you are planning to bring your children then you aren't choosing the correct service for you...with excessive baggage charges and (as we saw with the incident of the spoon from a previous poster) lack of flexibility, the airline has never been the service that you should bring small children/babies on. If you do then you know what you're in for. Is it Ryanair's fault that you chose a minimum fuss airline for a fussy situation?

Ryanair staff have got perks and we do have a pension with the company but its up to us if we join it or not, they also do a xmas savings scheme for us, discounts in ALSAA, discounts with other companies and so on

bluewolf

bluewolf wrote: »

So you're calling them worse than ever based on an assumption + another airline?

Someone told me yesterday they'd written the wrong name on their ticket or something (well, someone told me about a friend of theirs) and there wasn't the usual massive fee to fix it up, more like 1.50. That sounds like some change

Did you miss where I said 'that's not what they told me'? I asked Ryanair staff about the new seating arrangements when I went home for Christmas and was told by the flight attendant that as far as she knew, I would not be able to guarantee seats together unless I paid. That seemed logical to me, as I know that Easyjet, a similar type of airline who recently introduced allocated seating, count on people who want to sit together purchasing seats to avoid the risk of being separated. That's how they make most of their money.

Rezident

SV wrote: »

Ryanair are fine, a lot of the complaining comes from people not looking up costs and expecting everything to just be free.
If you're going over with the one bag and literally treat it like an air taxi then it's perfect.

If you want more than that then pay more, but don't give out because the cheaper service doesn't do the same.

The changes can only improve things and make them a little cushier, but they're perfectly fine as is, imo.

I hear what you're saying but I have to disagree with them being "perfectly fine". They're not. Sometimes they're fine, sometimes they're a disgrace. And when they are a disgrace people are going to call them out on it, instead of saying they're "perfectly fine".

Arrow.

sunflower27 wrote: »

Exactly. People just love having something to moan about.

Get there early, stick to the rules and no problem.

I am flying to the UK in February for under 40e return (including taxes). Nothing to complain about.

And if I can now take a handbag without squashing it into my hand luggage, happy days.

If you don't like the rules, pay extra and fly with someone else. I don't think Mr O'Leary would be too concerned :D:D

Thank you, I will. And I'll travel in comfort and not be treated like cattle.

Seriously though, I don't buy the 'oh just obey the rules' argument. Is it too much to ask not to be fleeced so you can sit beside your friends or family (not to mention everything else)?

It's just their ethos I don't agree with treating people the way they do.

I don't moan about Ryanair, but if they come up I'll explain why I don't fly with them.

I flew with British Midland to London a few months ago and my God, the difference - from the check-in desk until the time you get off the plane. Free drinks on the plane too.

But if people insist on paying low fares then they've really nothing to complain about. Pay peanuts, you get monkey's.

Skylinehead

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

not being able to recline my seat

Best thing about Ryanair. I will horribly murder the next person who crushes my knees with their seat.

Amirani

Deleted User wrote: »

The changes Ryanair have instigated in the airline industry over the past twenty years have effected both airline staff and the customers experience in a very negative way.

Air travel has never been better in my opinion.

Skylinehead

Skylinehead wrote: »

Best thing about Ryanair. I will horribly murder the next person who crushes my knees with their seat.

I agree, I don't know what it is about flying that people become obsessed with being able to recline. It would be nice, but I'm not going to be a **** to the person sitting behind me. Unfortunately people under 6 foot often don't extend that same courtesy.

Skylinehead

Skylinehead wrote: »

Best thing about Ryanair. I will horribly murder the next person who crushes my knees with their seat.

Agreed. I think the seats are a Ryanair perk. I know reclining is unavoidable on 8+ hour/overnight long haul flights, but why do you need to recline on an hour-long flight?

sunflower27

Arrow. wrote: »

Thank you, I will. And I'll travel in comfort and not be treated like cattle.

Seriously though, I don't buy the 'oh just obey the rules' argument. Is it too much to ask not to be fleeced so you can sit beside your friends or family (not to mention everything else)?

It's just their ethos I don't agree with treating people the way they do.

I don't moan about Ryanair, but if they come up I'll explain why I don't fly with them.

I flew with British Midland to London a few months ago and my God, the difference - from the check-in desk until the time you get off the plane. Free drinks on the plane too.

But if people insist on paying low fares then they've really nothing to complain about. Pay peanuts, you get monkey's.

Treated like cattle? Oh please. Talk about an exaggeration lol

billie1b

sunflower27 wrote: »

Treated like cattle? Oh please. Talk about an exaggeration lol

I know yeah, another one of those 'i'm never gonna fly with Ryaniar again because..........' then lists a list of reasons that never happened to them or they have never flown with Ryanair or they secretly fly with Ryanair but pretend they don't.

JustLen

JustLen wrote: »

Is the second bag the same size or is it a overnight sized bag?

"CABIN BAGGAGE
One cabin bag per passenger* weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, plus 1 small bag up to 35 x 20 x 20 cms.
Due to cabin space limitations only 90 cabin bags (55 x 40 x 20 cms) can be carried in the cabin, any remainder will be carried free of charge in the aircraft hold.
Oversized cabin baggage will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee of £50/€50 (fee subject to VAT on domestic flights at applicable government rates). If you are unsure, check at the Bag Drop desk before going through security."
http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-tableoffees

jjbrien

One of the reasons why Ryanair is now doing allocated seating is to save on fuel costs. When you allocate seats you can block of sections of the plane making it much more balanced thus making it more fuel efficient. Its why Easyjet and Southwest airlines did it... They dress it up as a customer service improvement but at the end of the day it saves them money. Plus peoples fear of not being able to sit together will make people fork out the extra 5 euro to make sure they do.

I for one actually like Ryanair strange as it sounds. They get me from point A to B with little fuss. If you follow the rules then theres no nasty supprises to be had. The OH and myself went to Milan last year for 65 euro return for both of us. Where else in the world can you get that kind of fare?

billie1b

jjbrien wrote: »

One of the reasons why Ryanair is now doing allocated seating is to save on fuel costs. When you allocate seats you can block of sections of the plane making it much more balanced thus making it more fuel efficient. Its why Easyjet and Southwest airlines did it... They dress it up as a customer service improvement but at the end of the day it saves them money. Plus peoples fear of not being able to sit together will make people fork out the extra 5 euro to make sure they do.

I for one actually like Ryanair strange as it sounds. They get me from point A to B with little fuss. If you follow the rules then theres no nasty supprises to be had. The OH and myself went to Milan last year for 65 euro return for both of us. Where else in the world can you get that kind of fare?

Ryanair have been blocking seats off on their aircraft for years now (rule 1, rule 2 or no rule) for weight and balance and fuel reasons. This latest seat allocation has nothing to do with it, they've been talking about allocating seats since the reserved seats first came in

jjbrien

billie1b wrote: »

Ryanair have been blocking seats off on their aircraft for years now (rule 1, rule 2 or no rule) for weight and balance and fuel reasons. This latest seat allocation has nothing to do with it, they've been talking about allocating seats since the reserved seats first came in

You always see idiots sitting in them seats even with they have blocked them off. This way the seats are not assigned so makes it easier to spot

billie1b

jjbrien wrote: »

You always see idiots sitting in them seats even with they have blocked them off. This way the seats are not assigned so makes it easier to spot

The people are either moved before take off or can sit there after take off and move back to other sears for landing, you only need the rule of 1,2 for take-off and landing but most people don't know that

Paramite Pie

Bepolite wrote: »

If Aerlingus is cheaper I use them, if RyanAir are cheaper I use them, frankly not having seats that go back is a Godsend for me 6'2 with a wife who is 6'3 and has 3" longer legs than me RyanAir is bearable.

I don't understand the need to recline on a mere 2 hour flight anyways.

Although it's recommended to sit beside the emergency exit on a flight since you get more leg room in front of you. Or sit where the cabins divide so there's no-one in front of you! I'm not particularly tall and I always try to sit there on a long haul flight.:D

Legs.Eleven

Y don chiz awl jus get bleedin' married to Ryanair ffs. Cheesus!

SV

Deleted User wrote: »

The changes Ryanair have instigated in the airline industry over the past twenty years have effected both airline staff and the customers experience in a very negative way.

Airline staff, possibly. That's not me though, I am the customer and what I want is cheaper flights. I don't consider the flight part of the 'experience' or any of that and if I did I'd choose a different airline. I want to get from here to my destination, and I want it done as cheaply as possible.
For that reason it has all been positive, if you consider it part of the experience then that's fine too, just don't choose Ryanair, you don't get that experience but you get cheaper flights instead. You cannot have both.

Rezident wrote: »

I hear what you're saying but I have to disagree with them being "perfectly fine". They're not. Sometimes they're fine, sometimes they're a disgrace. And when they are a disgrace people are going to call them out on it, instead of saying they're "perfectly fine".

When are they a disgrace? When they charge extra for things they state they will charge extra for? When they don't provide the same level of service the company charging 50% extra provides for? What, exactly?

Jamie2k9

Top class customer service
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/ryanair-passengers-mutiny-after-plane-3041524

Bepolite

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Top class customer service
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/ryanair-passengers-mutiny-after-plane-3041524

Landing for a sick passenger or the French doing what they do best with a bit of riot? They should have been arrested and spent a few days in jail.

Gatica

Anyone tried their app? I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, I keep selecting outbound airport, it comes back to check-in screen, I press on arrival airport and it again asks for outbound airport... WTF?!
I just keep selecting departing and arriving airports back and forth and always in the same outbound slot, the other doesn't seem to update at all.

gugleguy

Well, the 'Window dressing' by Ryanair has mostly worked...whatever about Ryanair's real intentions...the penultimate post before this post was in January 2014.

Grayson

Diego Simeone wrote: »

Air travel has never been better in my opinion.

Certainly never been cheaper. Plebs like me can now go on holidays.

Gatica

Sorry, didn't realise I was resurrecting an old thread...