Some really good points there from Swear_in_GIN.
Just to add to his point about vacation time or there lack off. At the moment I am averaging 15-17 days off per month, with anywhere around 70-80 credit hours per month. So any time I need extended time off, I will bid to have say the last week of the month off, and the first week of the following month off.
At the moment I have about 9 months of seniority and sit about 40% of the way up the list. Bare in mind your millage will vary depending on your airline though, and will change depending on any number of factors.
This post isn't necessarily meant to excuse some of the substandard remuneration, but more an example of how you may be able to make the system work for you.
Socks