One day you fly a trip and go "...I am not going to endure another trip listening to a politcal diatribe, angst ridden complaint against the company or union, or religious indoctrination program as God is my witness..." 99% of our capts are great, but after a trip with TT or JS or CB (all retired) you say there is no trip worth staying put.

I gave up a waterfront house in Florida, with a hangar and plane nearby and a jetski ready on tbe dock ready to go at any moment to a 950 square foot aparment flat in China (well...Hong Kong) to upgrade.

New jet...new seat...new domicile...and a 6 month school/move/checkout program....instead of 20% as M11F.

It has been worth every single sacrifice. I would have done it 5 years sooner and been happy. I did pass on 757 upgrade, but I was on passover. I'd do HKG or MD11 capt at 100% in a heartbeat. 4 am in the left seat is not nearly as fatiguing as 4 am in the right.