Pay-to-Pee airline exec now claims he just wanted 'cheap P.R.'
Filed under: Bargains, Shopping, Transportation, Travel
I hate to give this guy a single byte more of bandwidth, but you need to know. Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, has recanted on his pledge to install pay toilets on his airplanes. Even though he confirmed it to the press at a conference last week, he's now he's saying he was just seeking publicity.
"It's not likely to happen, but it makes for interesting and very cheap PR," said the swaggering exec. He was, he inappropriately joked, "taking the piss."
Last week, he told gathered journalists that he'd asked Boeing to develop a lavatory that would accept credit cards. "It's going to happen," he pledged then. When news leaked out, the public raised such a stink (read some of the comments for my story here, but don't let the kids look over your shoulder), that it's no wonder he's in a hurry to backtrack. None of the publicity he got his airline was any good. In fact, I'd be surprised if there weren't some flaming bags of poop sitting on his doorstep right now.
Congratulations, O'Leary. You got your free publicity. You also wasted our time. And now, millions of people who had never heard of you or your flying bus now hate both of you with a passion. Not a smart move for someone who wants to enter the U.S. market.
Someone tell this guy you can't run a transportation network like you're P.T. Barnum. God forbid his two-bit airline should ever have a serious accident. After all this blarney and crying wolf, no one will listen to the shyster anymore, and in fact, they'd likely blame him for not taking things seriously.
And with that, I type the period on this sentence with my middle finger, O'Leary.
"It's not likely to happen, but it makes for interesting and very cheap PR," said the swaggering exec. He was, he inappropriately joked, "taking the piss."
Last week, he told gathered journalists that he'd asked Boeing to develop a lavatory that would accept credit cards. "It's going to happen," he pledged then. When news leaked out, the public raised such a stink (read some of the comments for my story here, but don't let the kids look over your shoulder), that it's no wonder he's in a hurry to backtrack. None of the publicity he got his airline was any good. In fact, I'd be surprised if there weren't some flaming bags of poop sitting on his doorstep right now.
Congratulations, O'Leary. You got your free publicity. You also wasted our time. And now, millions of people who had never heard of you or your flying bus now hate both of you with a passion. Not a smart move for someone who wants to enter the U.S. market.
Someone tell this guy you can't run a transportation network like you're P.T. Barnum. God forbid his two-bit airline should ever have a serious accident. After all this blarney and crying wolf, no one will listen to the shyster anymore, and in fact, they'd likely blame him for not taking things seriously.
And with that, I type the period on this sentence with my middle finger, O'Leary.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-10-2009 @ 8:24PM
Badabing said...
Whats the problem O'Leary- too much Irish whiskey? The only thing this stunt proves is what an idiot you are !!
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3-11-2009 @ 2:19PM
angela said...
Myself, my companies and family have swore never to fly this airline or any any airline he has management in...your cheap PR may have lost you millions.
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3-11-2009 @ 2:40PM
Kymber said...
JACKASS!!!!! Can you say"GOLDEN SHOWER"
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3-11-2009 @ 2:46PM
Jeff said...
Pee on the floor oh my, you bet your sweet arse I would.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:00PM
Christy said...
I think it's pretty funny. Why does everyone always have their "panties in a wad" over stupid stuff anyway?
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3-11-2009 @ 3:07PM
christy said...
I agree with you everyone in this country can not take a joke or dry sense of humor anymore. some people have such a corn cob lodged so far they search for the bad in the world. Its what our media and society is teaching our young to do.
3-11-2009 @ 3:03PM
SpencerG said...
LOL! My hat is off to you Mr. O'Leary... your plan worked! I had forgotten why I remembered RyanAir (until I read this article) but I did remember them. And I didn't remember them with any ill feelings. "ANY Publicity is GOOD Publicity" as the old saying goes. Now you need to fire your entire marketing staff since you have gotten more publicity for your airline in the U.S. in one month than they have since announcing RyanAir's intended expansion to the U.S. two years ago.
And before anyone blasts away at me, tell me your impression of VirginAir and then take a look at the urinals that Richard Branson installed in the Virgin Airway's Clubhouse in New York's JFK Airport:
http://www.30metri.com/archives/000225.php
Now why is Branson considered a "visionary" and O'Leary considered a dirtbag? O'Leary brought discount air travel to the masses of Europe and Branson has a vanity airline that people have heard of but no one actually flies.
As to whether travellers will actually boycott RyanAir-- fat chance! The number one consideration people have when flying is price and now that their "price to pee" is in line with other air carriers RyanAir will do just fine.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:12PM
jeiacono said...
I don't know who looks sillier here -- the airline guy or the reporter with his nose out of joint. The lesson seems to be "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature or a newsperson."
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3-11-2009 @ 3:10PM
Dan said...
I think this CEO is an idiot and if I were on the board of directors for this airline, I would get him booted out. As the author of the article said, he's cost his company business and any future earnings. I just wonder if he came up with that boondoggle of an idea on his own or if some idiot with an advertising agency. Either way, whoever it was should be fired!
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3-11-2009 @ 3:48PM
sue said...
I can tell you this for this pr stunt there is no way in hell I would fly with this guys airlines. Stop and think about it. Did you ever get on line and check out prices for just the cheap seats of an airline, did you ever compare the prices with travel agencies and or call the airlines in direct and try to find a cheap ticket, the prices are crazy. I can fly to my sons house for half of what he can fly to my house and he has a major airport near him, I don't I have to travel anywhere from 200 to 300 miles to get to the major airports to get those cheap tickets. With what they are making off the sell of the tickets, the least they can do for the people is give them something water or pop, juice, coffee, and the right to go pee with out paying. Sounds like to many people in these airlines get paid to much money to find ways of bilking the customers for more money when they should think about spending the money they do get on the airplanes and the big ceo's getting paid less for coming up with these ideas.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:26PM
Christymoo said...
What a genious. This airline will do really well over the USA. People in the States are always looking for a deal and Michael O'Leary can provide one. I cant wait! In Europe you can get a flight for a penny! plus tax of course, but is still 100 dollars cheaper than Southwest. Think about it people. A penny flight. I took Ryan air on many occations and it was always easy and pain free a lot like taking the bus.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:26PM
glenn said...
HE IS STILL AN ASS HOLE...I WOULD NEVER FLY HIS AIRLINE JUST ON A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.......HE CAN TAKE IS FREE ADVERTISING AND SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE
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3-11-2009 @ 3:39PM
Brett said...
We need another cheap airline, it's the only way us poor folks can go skiing out West. Cheap airlines and hostels, great for the poor folk.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:43PM
David said...
A perfect example of why Corporations are in the shape they are in today. We have idiots in charge and drawing an ungodly salary for implementing stupid ideas. This holds true in most government positions too.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:56PM
kerrry wenrich said...
i'm glad to see he finally relized what a stupid move that woul be
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3-11-2009 @ 3:48PM
mike said...
give him a bigger bonus thats what he wants.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:48PM
The Fab Shop Inc said...
This jerk will forever be known as " PeePee-O'Leary ". What a pisser.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:54PM
european travel said...
I would like to know how many people are still paying for checked baggage (everyone) even tho the fuel prices are half the price now than when these companies said that due to rising fuel cost you will have to pay us to bring your belongings with you on the plane...why not charge to use the bathroom LOL...People will get over this guy's poor attempt for PR and will fly his airline again.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:51PM
Bear said...
What a piece of scum. Even if i did fly, I would not fly on his airline. Who does this cheapscape think he is, GOD? i don't think so. maybe we need to have him fly in the holding tank of one of his airplanes and feed everyone chili or refried beans a few hours before the flight.
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3-11-2009 @ 3:53PM
mike said...
sounds like he wants a bigger bonus this year.
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