I think we've strayed off topic here. If you're looking for someone to blame, then there's plenty of that to go around.
I now look at companies/jobs to find which would offer me the best QOL with pay.
SWA has set itself apart from the rest of the industry. They've chosen to take care of their employees. In the beginning they weren't able to offer top dollar, and in your view they still may not. But they do offer other benefits, happy work environent, employee competition programs, and even other family oriented activities.
I'm not trying to waive the SWA flag, but they have earned some respect. Given the opportunity whose to say that Jetblue, or Airtran can't do the same.

I've looked at the history of this profession, and hopefully learned the right lessons. Now all I can do is continue in this path, continue to learn and hopefully be given the chance to pass this along to the next generation. But we are fighting a battle against the pilot mills and their propaganda. This has all but removed the ever vanishing mentoring institution.