Is this a 'punishment' for not printing the boarding card before arriving at the airport , or have Ryanair worked out that this is a very profitable exercise . Many people can probably check in online at WiFi hotspots , but are not always able to print a boarding pass when travelling.
Why can't they have check-in kiosks like other (less profitable) airlines . I think this particular element of ticket price un-bundling is a step to far . You can choose to carry a bag or check one , you can't pass through an airport without a boarding card . If Ryanair were offering some free alternate technological means ( Mobile phone boarding card) , then maybe it would be acceptable , but as they are not, why should it be charged. I know Ryanair will argue they have the lowest fares , but it's the total cost of getting from A to B that one should look at , not just the 'seat only' element.