Bullytactics,
I personally know about a dozen NW drivers (1/2 capts, 1/2 FOs) and I wouldn't call the capts happy! The FOs who are happy have come out of GA and have nothing jet wise to compare it to, the others are not so happy. As to rostering the story I'm told is you're worked hard, from early starts one day to late finishes the next, with tiredness a real issue.
What I hear on AL is that it's very difficult to get leave approved.