It never ceases to amaze me that some people cannot understand that not everyone wants the same thing. When I became a pilot, everyone talked about the airlines and how that was the final destination for a pilot...the top of the heap. I never did and ended up getting their simply because I could build jet time quicker, it paid more than my crap 135 gig, and my commute was short. I NEVER wanted to stay. I hated being part of a process that the vast majority of the customers hated..and the airlines did little to correct. When I told people what I did, I got all kinds of questions and comments about why the airlines does this or that...none of which I had the answers to. Also, when I was there, when the airline screwed up, I was quick to point out their failures and our attempts to remedy them. I was blasted for actually communicating with the customers and was praised by the customer for communicating with them. The airlines processed my paycheck...I worked for the customer, something that most pilots at 121 forget. When the rare crew actually goes above and beyond, I personally thank them either during the flight or on my way out.
When the time came to move, it was the best professional decision I have ever made. Netjets is not perfect, not by a wide mile...no aviation business is. A friend told me once "Its a great profession, but a crap career." He would chuckle at the airline guys he would talk to who told him it was nothing more than a job. When he talked to a few NJA/Flex/Flops types, he said them seemed more fulfilled with their jobs.
Money....money is a funny thing. I quit chasing it years ago because what I found out, was that there was never enough to make me quit chasing it. In the airlines, you are constantly leap frogging the next carrier. One carrier gets a new contract and you feel like you are getting screwed..because you know what, I need to make $500.00 an hour to support my excessive lifestyle, 3 ex'es, six boats, and a bunch of other crap I cannot afford. Now, I have zero debt minus a mortgage (which will be paid off in 7 years...15 years early) and plan on retiring earlier. We live in a smaller home which means less money going out the door. We will pay cash for our next house. I work about 5 months out of the year and know my schedule a year in advance. I get paid to commute...and have never begged for a seat on the airplane. When I go to work, I enjoy the fact that the next day might be a mystery. One day I will be in Newark (and hating it), the next I will be in East BuFu Montana...and loving it. I became a pilot in part for the adventure...not to become what most people consider a glorified bus driver. (Which I disagree with.)
Do what you love...and you will never work a day in your life. Money is NOT the ultimate currency...be happy is...and as much as some cannot grasp it, I am happy doing what I do.
If being at the airlines makes a pilot happy, good for them. I am glad that person has found a home there. And thanks for getting me to work and my family on vacation.
Finally, if anyone knows of a gig where I can wear shorts to work every day and maybe fly a Supercub, I am in. My ego does not demand I fly big iron...