The big thing for me despite being away and missing birthdays etc is that when you leave the crew room at the end of your shift thats it. done. I don't take the job home with me, i dont have to 'work' on days off and I dont have to work late to clear my in tray before I go on holiday - a holiday which, of course should be reasonably cheap!
The training is tough but day to day life is pretty cruisy really, Tea and sudoku