Thanks for the response Oldfr8dog - you've enumerated many of my gripes better than I could. It wouldn't be fair to say I hate my life, but as I said - this isn't what I signed up for. I like what I do - I had a really satisfying trip two days ago (that's another story).

On the other hand, I really wonder about many of the people considering getting into this career now. When I started, you would put in 5-15 years of "paying your dues", then you'd be at a major and be set (or as I'd intended, you'd be at a good corporate department - hopefully one that would last, though that was less certain). Now, there is a very real possibility that you will never progress beyond the regionals. Is it worthwhile to incur the debt and years of low wages to top out at 70-80K? Even the guys at the majors have had their retirements stolen through the bankruptcies.

When you're young and single (or don't have kids), it all seems exciting and glamorous. None of us will be young forever, and most won't be single and childless forever. Perspectives change...

I would love to be able to recommend this career to others. I hope things change in the next few years so I can do so again...