Sad to read the comments of so many who quite evidently no longer enjoy their chosen career as professional pilots.
At 51 years of age, 18,000+ hours I've certainly had my share of .. "excitement" .. as well as my share of career-related aggravation. Airline life today is certainly not what it has been. No question however, for me it's all been extremely worthwhile and entirely satisfying. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
I cannot relate to some of the younger FOs I fly with who seem so disgruntled with life. Right seat on an Airbus is still a pretty enviable position, and the view from the office is spectacular ... if you bother to look outside once in awhile.
And still, to paraphrase Ernest K. Gann, the subtle pleasures derived from a well handled approach and landing under difficult conditions are still a source of extreme satisfaction.
Sorry so many chaps seem to have lost that pleasure.