To each their own.....
For a person who's married with house and kids etc, this job would be a killer to life in general. Add in a commute/reserve and anyone would go nuts.
On the other hand, for someone young, single, or otherwise not tied-down, this job us the ultimate. Many more days off than the average job, JS/Non-rev privvys, travelling around and overnighting in different cities....
Both groups of people likely got into the job because of the enjoyment of flying itself and you can't lose sight of that.....If you ever don't enjoy the "getting paid to do something you love" part then its not for you. There are many things that everyone has mentioned in the other thread that make it a "job" like any other..... Gone from home for days at a time, low pay for the starting years, reserve schedules, commuting for some, constant feast-famine industry changes.
But there are many, many benefits that you wont get in other jobs as mentioned above. The industry cycles on about 10-ish year cycles. You basically have to do the best you can to ride through the lull's and get up on the waves. Despite what is the majority of the "major" passenger airline market, there are still TONS of opportunities, current and future, in the cargo and charter/fractional markets, domestically but even more so internationally. I have been very happy/successful/lucky by NOT following the group-think mentality when it comes to this job. When everyone is running to one place and getting all their friends in, I didn't assume it was the right place for me. When other people are content where they are and sitting around, I'm always keeping my eyes open for the next best opportunity though if nothing comes around, I'm still happy.
At XJT I think too many people see CAL as an end goal for no reason other than they think they have the best shot to go there.... People need to really think about their career and where they really wanna be (company wise) in 20 years instead of "what bigger plane can I fly tomorrow."
Don't short sell yourself. Set high goals, and enjoy your path getting to your dream job. It is still possible. Networking helps, but its your desire/ambition (or lack thereof) that will determine how your career ends up, recession or not.
My path so far: (IM VERY PLEASED)
Internship at my dream job
Flight instruction
Crappy Regional (furlough)
Good Regional (2 years)
Now switching to Charter
Its not for everyone, i know my days off are going down with the new job, but my situation allows for me to ENJOY this schedule since my "work days" may be at a nicer location that my "home days."
To each their own.....
PS: Saab and others, Enjoy the +1 even though i'm currently an offline guy.
PPS: Saab, lay off the pipe..... i can see, you've had too much! (im very serious)