Or there are bills today that need to be paid and starting over at FO would be not only a financial burden but would add significant commuting time. I could go to United, drive 5 hours to base instead of 30 minutes, and take a pay cut of $8,600/month the first year. Mortgage, groceries, car payments, and kids don't stop because dad wants to start over again with his seventh carrier. Our contract is subpar to Big3+WN and we have a lot of room for improvement on the next go around. But life isn't terrible, my family is living very comfortably, and I'm not worried about being furloughed in the next downturn which looks to be around the corner.

Arguing over which carrier is 'right for you' is as fruitless as arguing with other guys over which woman is right for you. I have friends at Delta, Frontier, United, and Southwest. For the most part we're all happy, making good money, and enjoying our days off. I spoke with United, Frontier, and Spirit and Spirit hired me first. Could I have been happier/wealthier somewhere else? Maybe, and I'm sure we'd have made the best out of the cards dealt to us. But I got in line where I did, when I did, and I'm not going to the back of the line again voluntarily. My desire to stay where I am with Spirit has nothing to do with a need to 'stroke my Captain ego'.