Pass the bucket
15.04
Here's his (non-macho) sign off:
15.00
Time's up, and O'Leary has finally answered one of our questions. Unfortunately, he didn't quite understand.
Q: Why are British fliers forced to pay more in baggage fees and extra charges than their European counterparts? [Ryanair uses a £1=€1 exchange rate, therefore travelling with a 15kg bag costs Britons £25, but Europeans just £21.30.]
A: They're not, they just pay the same fees in sterling
14.57
Quick round-up
Q: What is your message to Norwegian regarding their new low-cost transatlantic routes?
A: Fares, like all Norw flights, much too expensive
Q: Any plans to take advantage of growing traffic in/out Russia or no chance to compete with local carriers?
A: Russia not in EU so can only fly from Ireland. Tiny market. So unlikely
Q: Who decides departure slot times? Airline or airport?
A: Usually airline, unless there are slot restrictions
Q: Any plans on having more seats onboard?
A: No, but working on beds in empty baggage holds
Q: What would it take for you to make me your personal assistant?
A: Sorry position already filled by an angel who really runs ryr. i'm just the puppet
14.55
Five minutes to go. We've not learnt much about the key issues, but we have learnt where O'Leary stands in the Oasis v Blur debate.
14.52
Rob Morgan's getting philosophical
O'Leary's reponse?
Charming.
14.50
More macho-free Ryanair
14.45
O'Leary's gags (and grammar) getting very poor
Q: Whose idea was it to have #AskMOL sessions?
A: Mine obviously. Da boss always takes the credit for good ideas, blame others for d duds
Q: Can't believe you replied, God exists
A: Yes an hes running Ryanair
14.42
Issue of cabin crew pay sidestepped.
Q: Do your cabin crew only get paid for their time in the air, not actual time their shift lasts?
A: Our cabin crew get paid for all the work they do. av pay for cc last year bet 22k - 38k.
But plenty on reincarnation
Q: If u were to be reincarnated, would you rather come back as a strawberry fruit corner, or a garlic naan bread?
A: If I'm coming back, it's as Eamon Holmes to work with Kay and Charlotte
14.41
Not the most fascinating of forums. Unsuprisingly, O'Leary seems keen to plug airline and avoid serious questions. If he tweets "fly Ryanair" once more we may well give up.
14.39
On the subject of which, this week also saw the release of the 2014 Ryanair calendar, featuring scantily clad female cabin crew. At least it's for charity...
14.34
O'Leary, attempting to shed "macho" image
14.32
Good question
14.30
Another quick round-up of Q&As
Q: Who's idea was the fanfare that occurs after an on time flight?
A: Can't remember but it's the most complimented inflight feature after our brilliant cabin crew
Q: Any chance of more Greek islands flights from Birmingham airport. We have to stomach Monarch and Thomas Cook?
A: Talking to birmingham. Watch dis space
Q: Any chance our Irish Kickboxers can carry on their hard won trophies without incurring extra costs?
A: I am too afraid of you to say no. Just put em in ur luggage and all will be well.
Q: Why was the air fare tax such a problem?
A: Made Ireland too expensive as a destination for UK and EU visitors. Well done Michael Noonan
14.27
O'Leary reveals his favourite airport
14.24
Er...
14.20
Our question on fees has been ignored, but O'Leary is keen on the bigger issues
And he claims Ryanair's panini's are "gourmet"
And like on Monday, he seems to think he's wandered onto the comedy stage
Q: Besides aviation, is there other businesses Ryanair would like to be involved in?
A: Yes. But they're not legal unfortunately
14.15
Smartphone check-in is coming next year, says O'Leary
Q: Congrats on the new customer service improvements. Any update on using smartphones for check-in?
A: Neil, yes coming in the spring
Our favourite question so far
14.12
Transatlantic flights with Ryanair are coming...
Q: RyanAtlantic: When?! Can't wait to fly to North America from Europe at a low price
A: Whenever we can get a low cost long haul fleet. Watch dis space.
14.08
Love him or hate him, he's not going anywhere:
Q: When you retire from Ryanair will you take a break, what would you like to do next?
A: Mary, better to wear away than rust away. No plans to retire
14.06
The transformation in a nutshell
14.05
O'Leary says "sorry" shocker
14.03
O'Leary is reeling off the replies:
Q: Any chance there will be a rouite between Ireland and Newfoundland?
A: Not unless u wanna swim the last 500 miles or so. Range of 737-800 a bit limited.
Q: Any chance of more routes for Kerry Airport? And any chance of bringing out a male Cabin Crew calendar?
A: Sorry, no on both counts. New routes at shannon, and male pics don't sell.#AskMOL
Q: Another #AskMOL chat. Were shareholders getting worried about bad PR?
A: Paul, no, shareholders v happy with growth in traffic n shareprice this year
14.01
Here we go
13.57
He was keen to show his humorous side on Monday, but Twitter users want to be taken seriously.
Most do, anyway.
13.54
It looks like the Q&A will be landing on time. But will O'Leary dress as a leprechaun again (scroll down for picture)?
13.52
Ryanair recently contacted Telegraph Travel calling for us to stop describing it as an "no-frills" airline. "We offer all-leather seats, reserved seating, industry-leading punctuality, online check-in and on-board catering for those who wish to avail of it," it said. So how much do those "extras" add to the cost of a Ryanair flight? Plenty, as this story demonstrates.
13.48
Another question we'd like to ask: "Why do you continue to charge a £2.50 per person 'EU 261 Levy', to cover compensation payments for delayed flights, when you're supposedly Europe's most on-time airline?"
13.45
Fifteen minutes until the Q&A. Queries are flooding in.
13.40
Here's some reaction from readers about those changes, announced earlier today.
"Too little too late - they lost £5,000 from me over the last five years - I could teach them a thing or two about this stuff - it's all common sense."
"O'Leary is trying to put the monster back in the bottle. If there is an alternative I use it because I like to deal with people who give a damn. They have made a business out of abusing their customers, so why are they surprised it has affected trade?"
"Personally I have nothing against Ryanair. They are a budget airline and you get what you pay for so why complain? I've flown with them many times and I find the in-flight staff generally pleasant in the face of some very rude customers."
"A leopard doesn't change its spots. I bet the bean counters have had a word in his ear."
"I used Ryanair eight times this year and didn't have a single problem. Who are these idiots who keep having problems?"
13.33
What would Telegraph Travel ask? How about: "Why are British fliers forced to pay more in baggage fees and extra charges than their European counterparts?" - Ryanair uses a £1=€1 exchange rate, therefore travelling with a 15kg bag costs Britons £25, but Europeans just £21.30.
13.27
There's just over half an hour until O'Leary's second foray into the Twittersphere. Users should include the hashtag #AskMOL in their Tweets.
Some keen Tweeters have already posted their questions. What would you ask?
13.17
One change many fliers seem to long for is the introduction of allocated seating, something that would prevent passengers, especially families, being forced to queue for half an hour before they board. When asked if the airline would consider it during Monday's Twitter Q&A, O'Leary claimed the change would lead to delays.
13.11
Why has he waited until now to change his tune? The bottom line is the bottom line. The shift towards better customer service came after a dip in bookings. In September Ryanair warned it would not meet its profit forecast.
13.08
O'Leary's new customer-friendly approach is at odds with his traditional reputation. He has previously been dismissive of customers who complain about the airline. Last year he described a British woman who was charged €300 (£236) after she forgot to print out five boarding passes on a flight from Alicante to Bristol as an "idiot".
His other notable quotes include: "People say the customer is always right, but you know what - they're not. Sometimes they are wrong and they need to be told so" and "You're not getting a refund so **** off. We don't want to hear your sob stories. What part of 'no refund' don't you understand?"
You can find some other choice quotes here
12.58
Among the issues which haven't been addressed in the announcement are the airline's high baggage fees (up to £45 per bag), its extortionate £20 per kilo excess baggage fee, and the travel insurance opt-outs that fliers must dodge when booking a flight.
12.50
Some Twitter users have offered tentative support:
Others are less convinced:
12.46
The changes have been met with some approval. At the last count, close to 40 per cent of readers said they would now be more likely to fly with Ryanair.
12.41
There's been plenty to talk about regarding Ryanair already today. As part of the aforementioned attempt to improve the airline's image, it announced several changes to the way it treats customers. Passengers will soon be allowed on board with a second "small" carry-on bag, such as a "small ladies handbag or [a] small airport shopping bag", and the airline's boarding pass re-issue fee is to be cut from £70 to £15.
Other changes include the introduction of a 24-hour "grace" period during which passengers will be able to correct minor errors, such as spelling mistakes, free of charge. Currently such changes cost £110 per person.
And on all flights that operate before 8am, or after 9pm, public announcements will be restricted to essential safety messages and cabin lights dimmed "so that any customers who wish to snooze, can comfortably do so."
The changes will be implemented over the coming months. From November 1, the "quiet flights" and the post booking "grace period" will come into effect, and from December 1 boarding card re-issue fees will be reduced, and a second carry-on bag permitted.
12.37
During Monday's webchat O'Leary was asked why he hasn't sanctioned a calendar featuring male staff. Here was his response:
12.32
Ryanair's efforts to harness the power of Twitter follow O'Leary's calls for the airline to shed its "macho" image - something that makes his "Phwoaaarr!" comment appear even more unwise. This week also saw the release of the 2014 Ryanair calendar, featuring scantily clad female cabin crew. At least it's for charity...
12.29
O'Leary was also accused of sexism following the first Q&A. He praised one woman's profile picture with the comment: "Nice pic. Phwoaaarr!"
12.21
Today's Q&A begins at 2pm. In the meantime we will look back at Monday's. O'Leary deserves credit for having gone on Twitter, considering the no-frills airline's divisive reputation, and the barrage of criticism British Gas faced with its #askBG campaign, but he could've taken the opportunity a little more seriously. He was, after all, dressed as a leprechaun throughout.
12.14
Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair chief executive, is returning to Twitter this afternoon for a live Q&A. Telegraph Travel will be following the Q&A, unearthing the best comments and offering our own take on the social media stunt.
He took control of the airline's Twitter account on Monday, and answered questions ranging from the amusing – "Is it true that you intend to remove at least one engine from all your aircraft to save fuel?" - to the offensive - "Were you born an a******* or has it progressed throughout your life?" Many quizzed him on perennial issues such as charging passengers who forget to print their boarding passes, the possibility of a fee to use the on-board toilet, and plans to launch transatlantic flights.
No comments:
Post a Comment