"My main issue is that I believe that most who enter the profession have the same overall needs and expectation as I do.:
No, I don't agree. You didn't find being a 100K a year regional Capt as worthy. I think that most who enter the profession would say that if that is the average end result, with the possibility of going farther, that making 100K working 4 on, 3 off, and flying, is worthy. I appreciate your comments that people should be garbage men, plumbers, teachers, or work for the post office, but I reject your assertion that MOST people would find a 100K a year Horizon Capt job as not worth sticking with the career for. I just don't agree....