anyone see the investigative report on ryanair last night on channel 4?

this report had two undercover reporters get jobs with the airline. they exposed lax training (incl safety related), poor service, lax security and safety procedures, poor attitude toward customers, no cleaning of the planes between flights, etc.

i think any business would experience a lot of embarassment if undercover people were to film the inner workings, but then again, it was pretty interesting and did not reflect well on the airline.

Hi W,

Do you think that if they had found a really well-run operation that they would have aired the story?

Also heard a short piece on the Radio, with Michael O'Leary, saying that the documentary makers wouldnt allow Ryanair the benifet of making a statement or even giving a 10 minute explanation of what was filmed! I have flown Ryanair many times, and agree they have a poor attitude towards customers, they dont clean planes between flights etc. I agree that any company/business would experience embarassment if they were to be filmed undercover, but its a bit scary all the same that they are lax about security!

A dirty plane I can live with; it's when in the US the media people manage to get themselves, AND a camera onto the tarmac/onto a plane while the TSA folks do whatever that is more interesting.

It's not too surprising they cut corners if they have to meet a supposed turnaround time of 25 mins, I think ...
They evidently still have a winning formula - whatever their shortcomings.

They're already about the 5th largest airline in Europe (- they'll be the largest in another few years if they maintain their current rate of expansion).

Ryanair reaction to the report? Another 3 million 'free' seats on offer.
Not surprising the other airlines are scared of them ...

Steve

I am another fan of Ryanair. They , and other budget airlines have revolutionised european air travel.

This was brought home to me when I looked up fares in Australia, and was shocked to see how expensive a return flight from Sydney to Cairns was in comparison to a similar length trip from E.g London to Turkey.

I've just been investigating flights for a possible trip to Strasbourg. With Ryanair, the flights (to Karlsruhe) would cost less than £16, as against £85 with Air France: but I'd have to leave home about 3am and add on £45 or so for ground transfers (or not arrive in Strasbourg till gone midnight). Air France, with a mid-morning departure direct to Strasbourg and ground transfer costs of about £20, starts to look a lot more attractive.

Have a look at the ryanair web site & read copies of the correspondence between the t.v. company & the airline.
Very Interesting!