Yup. Everyone has different opinions, but here's mine. You don't know what you don't know. The NB grind didn't seem like a grind (except for rare occasions where the schedule just blows up, reassignment, IROPS, etc). But now the thought of going back, takes A LOT of consideration. I don't think there are many jobs, aviation or not, with this work to pay ratio. You hear it talked about in the NB world, but it is a totally different airline.

Having said all that... it can be freaking BORING and a little soul crushing IMO being perma bunky. I'm a pilot, I enjoy flying, and I want to fly and be proficient, not feel like a FNG every time I'm in the cockpit. There's also the rest issue, how you handle circadian shifts, etc, but everyone knows that. Without super seniority in the NB left seat (and, to a lesser extent, some seniority in the right of the WB) there isn't much of a middle ground. Either the grind or feel like you're barely employed here.

Highly base, somewhat seniority, and situationally dependent, a sweet spot for now is reserve, not being used, and picking up the occasional two-day transcon for landings. One 4/5 hour leg a day with a 24-hour layover. Rough work...