I agree that you should love your profession, but you should also be happy about the salary and quality of life. In my opinion you need all three. Flying does give me a personal satisfaction but it unfortunatly lack in the other two departments (salary and QOL). One of the major nuesences is that the job is not performance based - that is, you will not get a promotion or a raise for doing a good job (on time arrivals/departure, etc.) so in essence all you are working for is to keep yourself from being laid off. Everything is governed by that damn seniority system.

I'm still new to this 121 business but I must say I'm already looking for a way out. Sure, I'm still young and I can stick it out and the salary is 'ok' for now, but I like to think ahead - someday Id like to buy that nice house, Id like to have a juicy retirement fund, Id like a family and kids, and Id like to put my kids through college... when I think about all that and the current state of the industry, I start to have doubt wether or not this career can provide that.

As far as QOL, the argument is back and forth that you get more days off than an average Joe per month, but I'd still prefer to be home every night, in my bed, and with my family rather than in a sleezy hotel or bar.

It's good if you can make it in the industry, but by then you'll probably be a grumpy and lonely old man that has a good story to tell at the bar but most likely lacks a family, a retirement, and a normal life.

To each his own. Flame on.