You're right about pay. You're wrong about schedule. I was a computer programmer in a "past life." I was paid much better as a programmer, but was on straight salary and was expected to do whatever it took to make deadlines. That often meant working around the clock for several days in a row, living out of the office vending machines and drinking coffee like it's going out of style, then sleeping in my car because I was WAY too tired to drive home (or even to a hotel) and could get FIRED if I were caught sleeping at my desk, even if it was on my own time.

I swear, sometimes it amazes me how some pilots think absolutely EVERYTHING is better in other career fields. I absolutely LOVE my job. It would be better if I had contractual work rules or better pay, but even as it is it is far better than what I did before, at least from my point of view.