Let's face it - pilots like to whine. Some of it is just that - whining. But some of it is well-earned, well placed-criticism of "the system". I would like to think even the most ardent complainers are doing so to try to improve their lot in life, and hopefully improve things for those around them. I guess the bottom line is pilots, for the most part, are stuck between a company that would happily fly you to the FAA max and pay you the Fed min wage, and a union that would love for you to get paid huge sums of money for doing very little work. The "truth" is somewhere in the middle.

Also, as for the love of flying, I think most of us got into the business for that very reason, but food has to be put on the table, kids have to be sent to college, mortgages have to be paid. And "love of flying" won't cover any of those things.

Take a step back and look at what's happened to the industry over the past five years and I think you'll see why there's some bitterness out there. I, for one, know the things that lured me away from the military and into the airlines ("security" (ha!), pay, retirement package, schedule, upgrade ability) back in late 2000 are no longer there in any manner close to what they were. And very few of the young guys in the military (I'm back in and loving it!) facing the decision now to stay or go are considering the airlines - they've seen the train wreck and want no part of it.

To put it mildly, some new $hit has come to light, and it's not all good.