I left NJA about 3-4 years ago.
If I went to a major/legacy that only offered domestic/short haul flying I probably would be disappointed and maybe even regretted my decision.
Domestic schedules at big airlines are not that impressive, and not that much different than NJA considering all the delays, big airports, short overnights, etc.
Commuting isn’t fun, and neither is FAR 121 health insurance. FAs can often be a troublesome burden, wiping down a Phenom tray table won’t write me up…but a FA that has become the mask police? Heck, I’d rather restock.
NJA is stressful, the days are long. I was not happy, and the pilot group traded QOL for near legacy pay rates. There are characters everywhere, but sitting next to a character for 7 days straight, 11-14 hours per day…yeah, I couldn’t get paid enough.
NJA is a great job with lots of unique benefits, but it is stressful…long days…little if any QOL on the road.
The long, happy, enjoyable overnights are surprises that seldom occur.
There is much more freedom at the airlines, but some pilots don’t do well with freedom. Commuting? It is stressful and rough, but so is a NJA 7-day tour.