Ryanair on Channel 4

[Man of Harveys]

I could be wrong but i think it was laso them that got into hot water when they asked three disabled people to leave a flight before take off because they realised they had their quota of disbled people on the plane already.

I think you're absolutely right - the well-worn marketing technique of ditching blind people abroad and humiliating them first:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/4337162.stm

 

[Rougvie]

If you have a spare half hour or so read this

Ryanair 'Pilot Froze'

Its not very balanced in some places, but essentially it shows Ryanair as not a particularly nice company to work for.

 

[Heffle Gull]

Flying Balkan air was always fun in the early 90s. Luggage racks like you get on trains, i.e. no doors so when the plane banks watch out for bits and pieces falling on your head, and a smoking policy that was so ludicrous it was hilarious. Smoking on the right, non-smoking on the left!

Ah! Balkan Air, I had the same experience except they put 4 rows of smokers in the middle and 4 rows at the back. cue air rage from the non smokers in the middle.

Stupid twats wouldn't even swap seats with the smokers in front of them,

 

[bhaexpress]

I think but I'm not sure, (Rougvie would know) it's a CAA regulation the limitation on disabled passengers numbers.

 

[Bigtomfu]

I think but I'm not sure, (Rougvie would know) it's a CAA regulation the limitation on disabled passengers numbers.

Im sure it is but i just felt like stirring things up even more.

 

[bhaexpress]

Im sure it is but i just felt like stirring things up even more.

Fair enough but the other thing is why were all of them allowed to fly out ? Okay I'm assuming that they were all on the same outbound flight but seeing as they were travelling as a group that's a fair assumption.

 

[Cian]

You lot really seem to think Ryanair is an airline. Its not.

Its an air-based extension of Dublin Bus, that is all. If you treat it as such - small bag, arrive with enough time for erratic scheduling and prepare for a delay of some kind, it gets you there about as efficiently. Its not an airline, though

 

[Bigtomfu]

Fair enough but the other thing is why were all of them allowed to fly out ? Okay I'm assuming that they were all on the same outbound flight but seeing as they were travelling as a group that's a fair assumption.

Would it be down to the perser of the flight as to whether he/she thinks the crew can cope-or is it another CAA regulation of one crew member per disabled passenger?

 

[Man of Harveys]

Fair enough but why didn't Ryanair say or do anything when one of the group phoned to check whether there was a problem beforehand? Why were they allowed to check in, rather than be slung off the flight by stewardesses?

I know, you get what you pay for blah blah. But given that they fly from the middle of nowhere to the middle of nowhere and the "old" airlines (and the ferries) have dropped their European prices anyway, I haven't found myself even contemplating using Ryanair for European travel for ages. Dodgy.

 

[Rougvie]

I think but I'm not sure, (Rougvie would know) it's a CAA regulation the limitation on disabled passengers numbers.

Not really my field, we leave that sort of things to the biscuit chuckers, but I think I am right in saying that the JAA (uber-CAA) dont actually lay down hard and fast rules, however most operators normally consult their CAA Surveyor and would set some kind of figure and adopt it in their Operations Manual which is a document controlled by law.

Ryanair are controlled by the IAA, which actually have tougher standards in certain issues than we do here.

 

[Bigtomfu]

Fair enough but why didn't Ryanair say or do anything when one of the group phoned to check whether there was a problem beforehand? Why were they allowed to check in, rather than be slung off the flight by stewardesses?

You wouldnt believe what some airlines let passengers do. We get airlines calling us saying why did you let this passenger travel with us on voided tickets (where it has been rendered unusable by the issuing agent.), or being able to board flights without tickets at all.

They never think the problem lies at their door unless a wing falls of the plane.

 

[bhaexpress]

Not really my field, we leave that sort of things to the biscuit chuckers, but I think I am right in saying that the JAA (uber-CAA) dont actually lay down hard and fast rules, however most operators normally consult their CAA Surveyor and would set some kind of figure and adopt it in their Operations Manual which is a document controlled by law.

Ryanair are controlled by the IAA, which actually have tougher standards in certain issues than we do here.

Sory Rougvie, it's just that I knew you were connected !

 

[bhaexpress]

Would it be down to the perser of the flight as to whether he/she thinks the crew can cope-or is it another CAA regulation of one crew member per disabled passenger?

Actually you may very well be right there.

 

[Rougvie]

Ryanair's massive 'communications' problem is that in a sense they are still a very small company, anyone that has ever worked for BA will tell you that OCC where they control all Heathrow flights is like going into Nasa control at Houston, its so state of the art its frightening.

Ryanair on the other hand have not invested heavilly on their operational capacity and have no real intention of doing so, but thats why they offer fares at such daft prices.

The local agents at these airports are normally dealing with a guy who will be looking after 30 or so aircraft at one time so the flow of information is never going to be great.

 

[Rougvie]

Would it be down to the perser of the flight as to whether he/she thinks the crew can cope-or is it another CAA regulation of one crew member per disabled passenger?

No, they must adhere to what their company Operations Manual tells them to do.

You can to a degree (as an operator) make your own rules up on this issue, but when you do make them up you must stick hard and fast to them or the CAA come down on you like a ton of bricks

 

[Clapham Old Mug]

Somewhere, hidden away, I have two letters of apology personally signed by Michael O'Leary. I'm going to sell them one day and make a fortune. Rare as hens' teeth!

 

[wallington seagull]

I use Ryanair quite a lot and have to say they are usually punctual. Recently, my partner and I flew to Dublin for a weekend and the fare was 1p (plus taxes) each way. I don't suppose you can expect pilots to stay awake when you are paying so little!!!
Seriously, i have always found them efficient and extremely good value , but will watch the programme with interest.

 

[Superseagull]

I use Ryanair quite a lot and have to say they are usually punctual. Recently, my partner and I flew to Dublin for a weekend and the fare was 1p (plus taxes) each way. I don't suppose you can expect pilots to stay awake when you are paying so little!!!
Seriously, i have always found them efficient and extremely good value , but will watch the programme with interest.

I was lead to believe that Ryanair pilots are one of the highest paid out of all the airlines. I think the cabin crew are one of the lowest paid!

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

I fly to Valladolid a lot, and they're the only operator going there direct. I've never had a problem worse than being diverted to Zaragoza or Santander due to fog in Valladolid. Going again on the 23rd in fact, so I don't think I'll be looking for this documentary anywhere....

 

[Cian]

I was lead to believe that Ryanair pilots are one of the highest paid out of all the airlines. I think the cabin crew are one of the lowest paid!

Heard the same. Pilots are paid high but no free training; cabin crew get sales commission is what I was told.