Great article, and you are exactly right! If you look at any job, within any industry, there are always going to be people who hate the job, and people who love it. This is no different for pilots. You will talk to pilots who love the job, and those who hate it. It truly is subjective, and I don't think that you can make your opinions, based on someone else's opinion.

I talked to a regional CA not long ago, who loves his job, loves his pay, and his QOL. He talked about how much his family is jealous of him, etc. Point is, there are many complaints, as will be in any career, but in the end, not everybody will view things through the same pair of glasses. I know guys flying for regionals who are very happy with their pay. I also know guys working 10+ hours a day in non-aviation related careers, making less than a regional FOs, wishing they had done something else. It goes both ways.

I do think the biggest misconception that people have, is regarding pay. Many believe that careers outside of the aviation industry pay more. The truth is, they do not. I'd be willing to bet that the vast majority of people who may leave the airline industry, for jobs outside of aviation, will not make more than they would as an RJ captain, or major FO. They may have a better QOL, in their eyes, but not more money. The truth is, those six figure jobs outside of aviation, are hard to come by, and usually have a long line of other qualified applicants trying to get them. Also, in non-aviation jobs, typically, the more money you make, the more responsibility you have, and thus the more you work, at least that is how it has gone for friends, and family of mine.