They make the hoops very clear at the booking stage in all fairness to them. I’ve recently made a booking and each stage it asks if you’re sure i only wanted an underseat bag of dimensions x y z. I’ve then got an email reiterating those hoops, trying to sell me more.

 

Yes, she did say that a flight is quicker.  However, it would have been totally silly to claim that the journey was quicker, when it patently wasn't - which was not what she said.  Was the 8 hrs on the beach really part of the flight ?  Actually, the flight WAS quicker, 5h 05m as opposed to 6h 15m on the train.

 

I haven't had a problem with Ryanair but that's because I've double-checked and triple-checked that I've jumped accurately through all their hoops regarding check-in, boarding passes, cabin baggage, hold baggage etc.  I have the impression that they make their profit from the expensive charges imposed on passengers who fail to pass precisely through a hoop.  And having to avoid this makes me feel more stressed when I fly with them.
All this said, once I'm in the air I've found the flying to be similar to other airlines, and I would consider flying with them again.

 
It is quicker, if you go direct. She chose to have 8 hours on the beach sunbathing.

 

From the newspaper clipping ...

 
I don’t either. Always had good flights with them. They are after all Europe’s largest airline with most legacy airlines copying most of what they do, so they must be doing something right.

 

100% agreed

Always it's the queues for the mandatory security checks that grip me.  It's rare for there to be sufficient staff to prevent a big backlog.  In those queues, 15 minutes can seem like forever, crushed in with so many other travellers.  Sadly, a necessity  after Lockerbie and 9/11

My first flight (aged about 12) was from Birmingham (then known as "Elmdon") to Belfast (shared with RAF Aldergrove, now Belfast International) on a Vickers Viscount, with British European Airways (BEA).  White jacketed stewards served freshly brewed real coffee from silver jugs into china cups.  And the thing is, the flight was about 45 minutes.  These days BHX to Belfast George Best takes about an hour and 10 minutes.  Another case of progress being backwards, and you can't just turn up at the airport and stroll out onto your plane

 
For me the tedious part about flying is the airports.  Having to set off early to allow for traffic delays - because if you miss your flight it's not usually the case that  you can get another one soon after.  At the airport itself feeling herded from one pen to the next, so many times; and the waiting at each pen.  So many stages of processing.  So many things to show at the various stages - and the worry of losing them.  Searching for the one airside water point to refill a water bottle after going through security.  Having to endure the weird smells of the 'perfumes' while trekking through the duty-free area.  The expensive catering.  Repeatedly checking for the screen that eventually shows which gate to go.  I'm feeling tired just from thinking about it.  Then there's the flight - and I admit there is 10 seconds of thrill as the pilot puts their metaphorical foot down at the start of the take-off.  Then there's all the faff of the airport at the far end ...

For me flying is to be endured not enjoyed.

 

I don't think the story ever claimed it to be quicker - they said they enjoyed their "eight hours in the sun............enjoying the sun, food and drinks".   I'm pretty sure they weren't talking about Manchester   

 

A Two Together railcard can be applied for, purchased and activated in less than 10 minutes. All you need is a smartphone.

 

But have to jump through hoops to get it, 2 photos etc, and not exactly available if you need it in few hours from some of the small stations on Looe branch.

It's not as if the rail industry automatically discounted the fare by potential saving for an occasional traveller.  All they have achieved is (very bad) publicity which suggests rail tickets are normally expensive, thus discouraging anyone (who doesn't normally use rail) from trying a rail journey.

 
I don’t get the negativity towards Ryanair. In fact I’ve found them to be one of the most on time airlines, and everything always very efficient. When I can fly to Krakow, Budapest or Geneva for less than £20 each way as well.

Their service is definitely superior to the very expensive British airways

 
Where was the car being picked up?  Manchester or Crewe?   What were their comparative first and last mile (or 30 mile) costs?

Edit - just picked up that she started from Lansallos - closer to Looe (which I presume is why the advance ticket suggestion that II made from one).    Begins to look like a story with missing costs.    Also puzzled at flying being quicker if there was an 8 hour layover.

 

Only after 9.30am Monday to Friday.

 

A two-together Railcard costs £30 for the year and would save £60 for that trip.

 
Newspapers always love these stories. While the fare structure in this country is indeed absurd, we know that the £400 tickets are flexible, unlike air tickets. Additionally, air tickets are often priced with the assumption that you (or others) will pay for luggage and seat selection, which can often double the ticket price. This point is reiterated every time these stories are published.

If you were to buy tickets for tomorrow, you could get an Advance Single for two for £196.80 from Looe to Crewe, with reserved seats between Liskeard and Crewe. This can be done simply by using the GWR app, without the need for split tickets, railcards, or unusual routes.

 
Even a large saving would not induce me to fly Ryanair. I am opposed to air travel in general on environmental grounds and opposed to Ryanair in particular due to general discomfort and poor customer service..