Scotty,
From the "old guy": Happiness begins with gratefulness from the things we have and the people who took the time and effort to invest in us. My first flight was in 1971 in a decommissioned Bell 47 helicopter. My first lessons were in 1986. When graduating from college in 1990 I had the good fortune to run a small GA airport 30nm west of Oshkosh. I chose that path and avoided the 121 world that was paying $10-12K/year for FOs. Why, family was more important than career. The benefits were a doubled income and opportunity to fly over 80 different makes and models of aircraft. I also got my start in business. Was that my planned or preferred path, no. I did what was needed for those around me.

Midlife crisis: if that's defined as the point in life where I can decide my path with less worries about feeding a family, then I am certainly there. I have built a resume that includes aviation, the military, business, law and coaching professionally. Combine those things with a solid 28 year marriage, 5 wonderful children, and now an opportunity to fly a shiny new jet...If that's being in crisis, then I wish to be in crisis for the rest of my life.

I'm curious Scotty. If you are not happy where you are with Mesa, why not simply leave? If you are not pleased with the 121 world, why stay in it. Life is too short to go through it bitter. There are always options.

A bit of wisdom from the "old guy" if you're willing to accept it: you can go anywhere to try and change your situation, but the reality is the change needs to come from within you first. If you are bitter and have a sense of entitlement, a change of venue will do nothing but rearrange the deck chairs on your personal Titanic. You'll have a honeymoon period with a new company, and then in a year or so be back to the same disgruntled place you seem to be now. Focus on being grateful for what you have and the fact that you get to fly a shiny new jet as well. All told, that's not a bad crisis to be in. Look around you at the thousands of people you pass each day. How many would you truly like to trade places with? I think when you step back you'll see you'e got it pretty well off.

Want things to get better at Mesa. Start making things better with you and those around you. Work at being a man that others respect and admire. Invest your time and energy into others and focus less on yourself. You'll be amazed how quickly Mesa/life changes for the better.

Kind Regards,
Judge