Respect for the pilots

WHEN Michael O’Leary flippantly said during the week that a pilot’s life was easy because the computer effectively flies the plane, he surely must have known how his harsh words would be taken by an already antagonised workforce.

Today, one of the pilots breaks cover, albeit anonymously, and outlines to the Irish Mail On Sunday the full range of petty humiliations inflicted on pilots.

Is it any wonder that experienced Ryanair captains are deserting for jobs with airlines such as Norwegian and those operating out of the Persian Gulf, when they are treated with respect there, earn better money and don’t have to listen to chief executives telling them that they are overpaid computer operators?

Michael O’Leary may not respect his pilots, but passengers do. We place a huge amount of trust in them and we value their expertise and calm professionalism, especially in challenging weather conditions.

The Ryanair cancellation debacle has been a PR disaster. Mr O’Leary should stop stoking the flames and publicly express support for the men and women, without whom he would not even have an airline at all.