The actions of the police were highly sensible and helped to defuse the situation. I agree that some US authorities could learn from the handling of the situation by the Strathclyde Police.
Everything you need to know about Ryanair and their attitude to customers is covered in this story. Mothers with babies who are becoming dehydrated, distressed passengers and the Captain will not allow the staff to distribute water from the trollies, for "legal reasons". No authority would take action against the staff for acting in a compassionate manager, except perhaps the Ryanair management. Do you think Strathclyde Police will get into trouble for spending public money to help the passengers? Absolutely not, because it is clear that the passengers needed help and respite. (We are, incidently, experiencing a heatwave in the UK over the last week, with temperatures over 80 degrees). To make matters worse, the Captain did order a bottle of water to be brought on board, but only for himself. If that doesn't illustrate utter contempt for passengers, I don't know what does.
However, in relation to the question of slots, the delay was caused by a French ATC strike. The management of air traffic is managed by Eurocontrol which is based in Belgium. When they are talking about "slots" it is the ATC routing which is being referred to, rather than the unavailability of take off slots at Prestwick Airport, which is hardly a hive of activity.
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