While not directly aimed at you, this post is another example of where many on APC really just need to take breath and think about perspective. Yes, jobs where the comp ceiling is 60 to 90k rarely require this much travel...but they are out there (construction), blue collar oil and gas, etc.

A much better analogy though, is a job where the “junior executives” have the pay potential in the 300k to 400k range. Energy, Finance, Banking. Those guys graduate from top schools, with high GPA’s, with sometimes high student debt to work a 50-60k a year job 80 hours a week. They do this for sometimes 5 to 6 years to get over 100k, hoping for a chance at that first “lead” position or a project that has a large bonus opportunity. Lot of hotel rooms, going home at 2:00 AM to get a toothbrush and clean clothes just to come back in 3 hours and do it all over again.

I think retaining the perspective that a regional job is the opportunity to get paid to learn and get experience to set you up for your dream job is essential. That’s what countless other industries require. Lots of people out there grinding it out, airline pilots are not unique...not in the slightest.