Let stewardesses land the plane in a crisis, says Ryanair boss: Airline wants to ditch co-pilots

MailOnline ^ | Last updated at 10:26 PM on 3rd September 2010 | Sean Poulter

[Paleo Conservative]

Ryanair's ever-controversial boss has called for the second pilot to be dumped from the flight deck of aircraft to save money.

Michael O'Leary suggested air stewardesses could be trained to take over and land the plane in the event of a crisis.

The idea is the latest in a long line of cash-saving wheezes from the budget airline boss who once suggested, apparently seriously, that aircraft could fly with standing-only areas for passengers.

[Paleo Conservative]

Sorry, I had to excerpt. To read the whole article, follow the link below.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1308852/Let-stewardesses-land-plane-crisis-says-Ryanair-boss-Airline-wants-ditch-pilots.html

[onyx]

I suggest Michael O’Leary cut Ryanair’s costs starting with his salary.

Co-pilots are a must.

[Paleo Conservative]

Flight plans: Ryanair cabin crew could be trained as pilots so that they could take over and land the plane in the event of a crisis

Ping!

If you want on or off this aerospace ping list, please contact Paleo Conservative or phantomworker by Freep mail.

[JMS]

I think he would end up paying more in insurance than salaries and benefits for co-pilots.

[Aria]

Well, he night save money on salaries but he wouldn’t have any customers...sounds like an Obamanomics sort of plan.

[appeal2]

He could probably save even more money by having the gate agents service the planes.

[garyhope]

Hey, they can “land my plane” anytime they want!

Yabba dabba doo!

[Aria]

Might...not night...

sigh..

[Jeff Gordon]

I say, let him run his airline any way he wants. Hand every passenger a list of the shortcuts, issues and potential problems. Make them agree to accept the situation with their signature. If they fly and die (or worse), they own their situation.

[Oldexpat]

A UPS 747 just crashed in Dubai. They had smoke in the cockpit..and I’ll bet that they could have used another set of hands handling the crisis..there were just two pilots aboard. A friend who is a cargo pilot had a heart attack approaching a US airport..the copilot was able to take over and land the plane, but would there have been time to call a stew from the back? This guy is mad.

[Moonman62]

Ryanair Boss Gets Free Publicity.

[tlb]

>>> Let stewardesses land the plane in a crisis, says Ryanair boss It's not such a crazy idea as long as there is some assistance available to the stewardess.

[Political Junkie Too]

Has anybody asked the managers of the airports where these planes will "land" about how they would feel about having to shut down runways and repave them every time a RyanAir plane attempts to "land" there?

-PJ

[NavyCanDo]

I got to see Michael O’Leary in person when he visited my plant building his 737-800s. Quite the character. Not afraid to drop the F-bomb when doing public speaking or talk about his favorite beer, Guinness. My favorite line of his was, “An Irishman doesn't like to bite off more than he can chew - - unless its an Englishman's leg.”

[444Flyer]

Shirley, they can't be series!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Why don’t they let the passengers flip a coin to decide who lands?

[married21]

wouldn’t it be cheaper and safer to train the co-pilot to serve drinks than to train the flight attendant to fly the plane?

[Rocky]

Don’t call me Shirley.

[FourPeas]

I like this idea, but it needs to be made more universal. Orderlies can step-in for surgeons, receptionists for dentists, and hey, community organizers for the US president.

[BigCinBigD]

The one on the Right can land me any time she wants...