Some inaccuracies (as expected) with respect to short haul QF vs JQ day to day...the reality is everyone is working hard, especially short haul on both sides.
Positive: This generally means plenty of opportunity to make extra $$ in overtime and top up the pretty reasonable pay scale across both left and right seats (in my opinion).
Not so: As for work-life balance...unfortunately remains very heavily dependant on your base - no amount of negotiating will really ever take the workload off the likes of SYD and MEL bases. Sorry, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. That’s business.
Can things be better - Always.