I guess i love all the things that everyone else does. My one gripe is mainly with myself. I wish i'd traveled more. Was an odd predicament, i was an FO, had a "decent" amount of time off (enough to go places) but no $$, then on top of that, i always pictured myself stuck in some foreign country, without the ability to get back, and unsure how to "do it". I upgraded, made the $$ that would be necessary to go somewhere, but no longer had all that free time. Now, i'm finally downgraded, have the free time again, but once again, no money....trying to work this out though.

About a month ago, i did an interview that would get me out of the industry. I'm in the "wait to hear" category (which is where everyone else is also), so, now, i'm thinking my days at the airlines MIGHT be numbered, and if so, i don't want to make the same mistake twice, so...the wifey and I are going traveling.

So the likes:

Jumpseating
Travel Perks
Flying my little not-shiny jet
Beautiful BTV or ROA
Time at home

Dislikes:

Industry Instability
Time away from home
Lousy FO pay, marginally better CA pay
Crappy Hotels
Crew Scheduling (only a problem on reserve)
Being downgraded

The industry instability is at the top of the list because it causes so many other problems. The job i'm looking at doing is a govt. gig in the defense world and as such has a pretty stable outlook. The pay is good, and you're home every night, and unlike with the regionals, when i bought my home i wasn't thinking "what can i afford" i was thinking "what can i afford on an FO salary in case i get downgraded or a furlough comes up, or i MAKE IT to a major, and make 30k a year for a year". I've always been one to try and save $ when i can, but i didn't want to be the guy who needed to save 40-50k so he could survive 1st year major pay all over again. Neway, to each his own, gotta love flying my plane though...or, the other guys' plane i guess.