A former Ryanair captain who refused to complete a day’s schedule of flights accused the company of a "pattern of behaviour" against him following the incident, the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin heard yesterday.
Danish pilot Paul Christiansen claims he was unfairly dismissed following his refusal to complete a schedule of four flights on October 30th, 2007, due to his belief his 12-hour flying limit might be exceeded and so force him to use captain's discretion - allowing the crew to work up to two hours past the limit - to complete the final leg.
Mr Christiansen stood down at Skavsta, Stockholm and informed Ryanair he was sick. He later told the company he had been suffering stress.
Darrell Hughes, deputy director of personnel at Ryanair, told the tribunal today Mr Christiansen complained of a "robust tone" to Ryanair correspondence and accused the company of having a "bias against fair procedure" because meetings to discuss his actions were called at short notice and on rostered days off.
The tribunal heard Mr Christiansen told Mr Hughes he feared a "disproportionate response" from Ryanair and felt this fear was "well founded".
However, Mr Hughes said Mr Christiansen was "entirely wrong" in believing the company had an agenda against him and had been "evasive and uncooperative". Martin Hayden, SC for Ryanair, said: "He [Mr Christiansen] seems to be of the constant view he has already given answers to the issues raised."
However, Mr Michael Landers, for Mr Christiansen, said the pilot was put in a "very difficult" position because the issue "was elevated immediately . . . and out of all proportion" into disciplinary proceedings in Dublin involving Mr Hughes.
Mr Christiansen was demoted to first officer and later dismissed due to what Ryanair said was “gross misconduct”. The case has been adjourned.
