I know it is diverting from the point of this thread but it really all depends on who you ask, the level of satisfaction varies from person to person and you get guys that will go back as soon as something becomes available, others are bypassing for as long as they can and even renouncing their seniority at majors to stay doing what they are doing (I know this is hard to swallow but it is what it is) employment at will and no union is not always a bad thing, in times where demand for trained and experienced pilots is on the rise, this has created a steady increase in terms and conditions in contracts abroad and you can take your experience to another gig without starting at the bottom. The next decade at least should be very good for contract work, I am not saying that it is an alternate for a career at a major in the US, but for those of us that are a little advanced in age and experience, it presents a good alternative to start from the bottom when you only have 10 or 15 years left in this paid hobby of ours.

Sorry for the thread drift