I used to think that, too. But this gig provides me with more time with my family and more flexibility than most of my buddies in "straight" jobs. There are drawbacks, to be sure, but all in all, they're worth it.

With my previous government job experience (military) I am so glad to be outside the rat race, paperwork, and bureaucracy of a government job. Granted, being an SA is not a completely cubicle-based existence...but the red tape would be stifling.

It boils down to this: I say "shutdown checklist complete" and I go home to see my family and do my own thing until I work again. If I think about my job (by posting here, for example) it's strictly by choice.